Dementia and Environmental Exposure

Posted: January 5th, 2023

Dementia and Environmental Exposure

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Dementia and Environmental Exposure

Introduction

Dementia is a condition characterized with depreciation in memory, behavior, thinking, and the competence to conduct everyday activities in the most effective manner. Older people than younger people have dementia though the condition is not a part and parcel of ageing (Alzheimer’s Association Report 2020). The World Health Organization (WHO) (2021) reports damage to brain cells is one of the leading causes of dementia. The damage tampers with the capacity of brain cells to interact with each other. When brain cells cannot interact normally, feelings, behavior, and thinking. The study focuses on the possible causes for dementia, and identifies environmental risks as being vital in causing the condition other than genetic factors. The paper identifies some metals, stress and depression, and other environmental risks as possible cause for dementia, and reiterates on the need to counter such effects to prevent a surge in confirmed cases. Various parties should work towards minimizing dementia by focusing on eradicating environmental risk factors that could increase the possibilities of developing the condition.

Background – Historical Overview

Dementia could be termed as a condition characterized by functional and cognitive depreciation, typically emerging in later life due to either cerebrovascular or neurodegenerative activities commencing earlier in life. Dementia is now a significant and broadening health problem with significant expansion expected in the future, especially in low-to-middle income nations (Viatcheslav 2017). Moreover, there is now a concern that a significant number of dementia cases could be prevented (Livingston et al. 2020). Averting or delaying the development of the condition could have immense impact on the rate of confirmed cases. Researchers have learnt that more than half of Alzheimer’s dementia-related cases could be linked to several identifiable and modifiable risks and threats, such as low level of education, cognitive problems, smoking, stress and depression, obesity, diabetes, and hypertension (Livingston et al. 2019; Martyn et al. 2019). Adding to the possible risks that could cause dementia explains why genetic factors remain the leading cause for the condition (Livingston et al. 2020). Nevertheless, the identified risks further imply that it is possible not all risk factors that cause dementia have been identified (Giebel 2020). Thus, there is an urgent need to recognize other possible modifiable risk factors for the condition.

Dementia risk suppression is a significant and escalating public health concern. While particular risk factors for dementia have been identified, there is a significant portion of risks that still remain unexplained. Killin, Starr, Shiue, and Russ (2016) believe that there is proof that environment risk factors may give explanation of some of the risks. Some scholars have shown environmental risk factors are responsible for causing Alzheimer’s disease. They learn that electromagnetic fields and traces of aluminum in drinking water are vital in causing the condition called dementia. The recent findings have also connected increased exposure to pesticides and solvents as possible occupational hazards that increase one’s likelihood for developing dementia.  

Measurable Outcome

The findings of a systematic literature review by Killin, Starr, Shiue, and Russ (2016) reveal significant evidence that environmental risk factors may contribute towards the development of dementia. The authors reviewed two databases (Web of Science and PubMed) from their establishment to January 2016, and also searched articles and bibliographies of review articles connected to publicly accessible environmental data. The scholars focus on articles that examine the connection between dementia and environmental risk factors. Overall, Killin, Starr, Shiue, and Russ (2016) screen more than 4780 researches and used 60 in the review. The scholars identify environmental factors that could cause dementia. Killin, Starr, Shiue, and Russ (2016) identify the quality of air, heavy toxic metals, some forms of metals, other forms of traces, work-related hazards and exposures, and diverse environmental elements. Specifically, Killin, Starr, Shiue, and Russ (2016) learn from the study that environmental risk factors such as lack of adequate vitamin D, pesticides, silicon, air pollution emanating from any source, selenium, and aluminum increase one’s chances of developing the condition. Even though the studies that Killin, Starr, Shiue, and Russ (2016) reviewed varied in their quality and size, the researcher instill confidence from the evidence that they gather concerning the role of the environment in developing dementia. Thus, there is need to mitigate the environmental factors that increase the possibilities of developing dementia.

Oudin A., et al. (2016) support the idea that air quality is essential in determining the possibility of developing dementia. Chang et al. (2014) find that higher amounts of nitrogen oxides in the air put people at a higher risk of developing the condition. Chang et al. (2014) also identify higher levels of carbon monoxide in the air as a possible environmental threat for developing dementia. The primary source for both gaseous components is combustion processes. Nitrogen oxide, for example, could emanate from a combustion process that partly involves nitrogen compounds in the source of energy, but often by direct fusion of atmospheric nitrogen and oxygen (Chang et al. 2014). Naturally, nitrogen oxides occur from microbial activities in soils and lighting. Carbon monoxide, on the other hand, could emanate from combustion and automobiles. Other possible sources of carbon monoxide, which puts one at the risk of developing dementia, especially after prolonged exposure, include furnaces, chimneys, gas stove, and burning kerosene. Apart from the gases, smoke from tobacco increases one’s chances of developing dementia. Chen et al. (2013) perform a study among 6000 respondents in several provinces in China. The researchers ask respondents about their exposure to tobacco smoke at different locations, including at home and the workplace, their duration of exposure, and cumulative exposure. The scholars find that prolonged exposures were related to escalated risks of serious dementia and not a moderate condition. 

Numerous other studies also relate various metals with the possibilities of developing dementia, which affirms the research by Killin, Starr, Shiue, and Russ (2016). Dani (2010), for example, perform a secondary analysis of national-level data using a simulation method regarding the possible effects of prolonged exposure to arsenic in causing dementia. The researchers share the same findings with Rondeau et al. (2009) that small increases in arsenic levels in soil were connected to substantial escalation in dementia cases at a national level. In another study, Emard et al. (1994) examine a population in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Québec to identify the possible effects of lead on causing dementia. Emard et al. (1994) examine 129 participants with Alzheimer’s disease clinically diagnosed using accepted methods who were all born and raised in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. The cross-sectional study more people with Alzheimer’s disease were born in areas with higher levels of lead than in places with lower productions. Specifically, Emard et al. (1994) learned that 16 people with AD were born in places with lower than average concentrations of the metal under investigation while 50 people with AD were born in areas that recorded higher than average levels of lead. Nevertheless, Killin, Starr, Shiue, and Russ (2016) think that there is considerably little extant proof for a link between dementia and heavy toxic metals.

Policy Implications and Nursing Education

The study reveals the need to refine policy formation and nursing education to deal with the condition more effectively. Legislators learn the need to be tough on how people and organizations relate with the environment to regulate emissions or practices that increase interaction with risk factors. It is encouraging that legislators in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia have made significant strides in creating laws that protect the environment from possible cases of pollution, but it is essential to follow up and ensure that all parties adhere to the provisions. For example, the Ambient Air Standard 2012 ensures that despite the boom witnessed in the oil sector, which could possibly tamper with the quality of air, pollution does not escalate to heights that could be dangerous (UNEP 2015). The policy seeks to create a foundation for the maintenance and restoration of effective air quality in an attempt to avert or minimize harmful consequences on the environment and human health (UNEP 2015). Legislators in KSA also facilitated the production of the National Energy Efficiency Program (NEEP) that was introduced in 2003 with the motive of improving the quality of the environment (UNEP 2015). NEEP is instrumental in insuring that pollution emanating from industrial processes do not turn out to be catastrophic. The attempts by legislators is a good indication, but it is imperative to come up with more laws that impact on different areas of the environment that expose one to dementia. For example, it is essential to create policies that advocate for more effective ways for helping patients battling depression, as well as formulate guidelines on how to handle the various metals or traces that could increase one’s chances for developing the condition. Political leaders and the government, therefore, are key parties into managing dementia that is increasingly affecting more people.

The research created the impression that transforming nursing education may play critical functions in addressing dementia and related complications. The study reminds curriculum developers to come up with more content concerning the effects of environmental risks in developing dementia (Powell et al. 2005). The curriculum should be broad enough, and should address some of the vital information that would help trainees to be more effective in the way they handle dementia patients. The curriculum should emphasize that other than those who develop dementia due to genetic factors, many others develop the condition or at a risk of suffering when they interact with factors that could put them at risk of developing the health problem (Powell et al. 2005). Nursing educators learn from the study the need to undergo more training on how environmental factors could cause dementia, and how to help individuals whose case are primarily connected to such risks. Alternatively, educators can find valuable information from various scholarly works such as books, journals, websites, and other valuable sources. The findings also impact nursing students who learn the need to be conversant with how the environment increases one’s possibilities of developing dementia (Engelhart 2000). Learners in nursing schools need to share among themselves the information, and should be more inquisitive to access the right information from different sources. Nursing students, for example, can increase their interaction with their tutors to acquire more valuable information about the environmental risk factors associated with dementia, and what can happen to mitigate future cases. Such information would prepare them into effective practitioners who are in a good position to help patients suffering from the condition (Engelhart 2000). Both nursing educators and students are part of nursing education and must be conversant with how environmental risk factors are responsible for causing dementia and how such elements impact on affected individuals.

Recommendations

The evidence that the environment plays vital roles in determining the likelihood of developing dementia creates the urge to take some measures that would decrease the possibilities of developing the condition. Both the government and individuals can serve vital functions in creating an environment that does not pose much threat or expose individuals to environmental risk factors (Dartigues et al. 1991). The government, for example, can create policies and regulations that advocate for conserving the environment and ensuring that it is free from contaminations or factors that could increase the likelihood for developing dementia. For instance the study reveals that the quality of air and some types of metals could increase the chances for developing dementia (Dartigues et al. 1991). Thus, the most appropriate for the government to intervene is to create laws and regulations that describe how to maintain a clean air, and which advocate for proper handling of metals that could possibly cause the condition. Furthermore, the government can intervene by ensuring that everyone adheres to the enacted laws and regulations to achieve a situation where cases are low. Individuals, on the other hand, should understand the need to maintain a clean environment that is free from hazards that could possibly cause dementia (Dartigues et al. 1991). Other than being conversant with the regulations that protect the environment from harm, it is essential to develop a perception that drives people to protect the environment from possible threats that could increase the chances for developing the condition that affect both cognitive ability and overall behaviors and work. However, failing to create policies that advocate for increased protection of the environment and that prompt change in individual perception could increase the chances of recording more dementia cases, something that could affect the health and wellbeing of many people.

The study reveals that one could develop dementia when exposed to occupational hazards such as pesticides and other solvents, which creates the urge for organizational leaders to create measures that uphold safety. Organizational leaders, especially in work places where the threat is substantially high should develop measures and regulations that remind workers to be cautious while going about their daily activities (Harrison, Mor, Mitchell & McCarthy 2020). Team leaders, for example, should place signs and stickers around the place of work reminding workers to protect themselves from possible harm and threat that could expose them to dementia. Organizational leaders should ensure that the signs and posters are visible enough, and that they contain enough information about how to protect oneself against the condition. Other than placing notifications that help workers and other stakeholders visiting the workplace to be cautious while handling materials and resources at the organization, it is essential to provide protective gears such as gloves, goggles, aprons, and face masks specifically created for commercial purposes. Offering such protective gears help workers to ensure that they are free from possible risks that could expose them to dementia, and also remind employees about the need to be cautious all the time they go about their activities. More fundamentally, it is essential to engage the workers in regular seminars and meetings where they get an opportunity to discuss the various ways environmental factors increase the chances of developing dementia, and why it is essential to take measures that would promote safety (Harrison, Mor, Mitchell & McCarthy 2020). Each employee should have a chance to give their views regarding what the organizational leadership can do to make the workplace friendlier and less likely to cause dementia.

Another suitable option would be to increase research in this area to understand what might happen to alleviate existing cases and possibly reduce future incidences. Researchers have already invested significantly in learning and studying how environmental factors cause dementia, but the area would be much easier to understand through further research on the area (Harrison, Mor, Mitchell & McCarthy 2020). Researchers could be instrumental in understanding how such risks differ from genetic causes, and what approach is the best in handling the condition (Harrison, Mor, Mitchell & McCarthy 2020). Furthermore, additional research in the area could introduce better ways for mitigating the condition, which could improve the lives and health of many people, young and old (Harrison, Mor, Mitchell & McCarthy 2020). Otherwise, the area may not make significant strides without adequate and effective research in the area.

Conclusion

The study describes how environmental risk factors play vital roles in causing dementia. The condition affects one’s cognitive ability and derails how they perform their daily chores. Earlier findings showed genetic factors to be the sole cause for dementia, but further studies have revealed how environmental risks play significant roles in developing the condition. Cases of pollution, some forms of metals and traces, depression, and other environmental elements are some of the leading environmental factors that could cause dementia. The findings have significant influence on policy formation and nursing education. The government learns the need to create regulations that are clear and targeted towards protecting the environment. Political leaders should first find out the type of policies that are necessary for reducing or managing environmental risks that could possible cause dementia before proceeding with implementation. The study also urge the curriculum developers of nursing education to consider increasing content on the environmental risks associated with dementia and take measures to ensure that all nursing students understand the role of the environment in causing dementia. Familiarizing trainees with the possible effects of the environment on developing dementia make it easier for them to handle emerging cases, and to know what approaches work best in managing the condition. The study recommends the need for the government to create policies that protect the quality of the environment and to ensure that every person and organization adhere to all directives. The government is at a better position to influence change because of its capacity to formulate guidelines that impact on individuals and organizations. The report also calls on individuals to take measures that would protect them against the environmental factors that cause dementia. Individuals learn the need to protect the environment, and understand why they must change their perception towards how they relate with the environment. However, disregarding the identified recommendations can heighten confirmed cases now that scholars find that the number of people living with dementia could go high in the near future if there are no effective remedies to mitigate the problem.

References

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Chang K.H. (2014). Increased risk of dementia in patients exposed to nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide: A population-based retrospective cohort study. PLoS One 9 (8):e103078.

Chen R., et al. (2013). Association between environmental tobacco smoke exposure and dementia syndromes. Occupational and Environmental Medicine 70 (1), 63–69. doi:10.1136/oemed-2012-100785

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