CORRIE legend Julie Goodyear has been diagnosed with dementia, which is now the leading cause of death in the UK.
There are 900,000 people currently living with the condition in the UK and half of us will one day get dementia or care for a loved one who has it.
Although there are more than 200 subtypes of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for up to 70 per cent of cases.
But experts say up to 40 per cent of all cases could be avoided through lifestyle changes.
Dr Susan Mitchell, head of policy at the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK, told Sun on Sunday Health: “Our hearts go out to Julie Goodyear and her family.
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“On several levels, it’s important that diagnoses like hers are shared and discussed as there is still stigma, misunderstanding and even some shame in acknowledging dementia.
Toxic proteins
“One in five people still view it as an inevitable part of ageing but that is not the case and there is more that people can do to ward off the threat.
“It is something we must continue to find treatments for.”
Julie, 81, first appeared as Corrie barmaid Bet Lynch in 1966 and made her most recent appearance in the soap in 2003.
Her husband, Scott Brand, says she has been “suffering forgetfulness for some time” and said there was no hope of reversal.
Alzheimer’s Research UK expects 1.2million of us to have dementia of some kind by 2040 — a third more than today.
The condition was responsible for 11 per cent of deaths in the UK last year.
With Alzheimer’s, toxic proteins build in the brain and destroy brain cells, particularly in the area responsible for memory.
Vascular dementia, which accounts for 15 per cent of cases, is associated with strokes and caused by cell-damaging clots on the brain.
Memory loss which gets worse over time is a common symptom of dementia.
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Struggling to remember or say words, losing spatial awareness, trouble remembering directions or how to make a cup of tea in the right order, are also common signs of the condition.
Dr Mitchell said: “Difficulty remembering is far more significant and profound than the kind that might otherwise come with old age. And everyone’s experience of dementia is slightly different, so symptoms will vary.”
Of nearly one million Brits living with dementia, only two thirds are diagnosed.
Up to 70,000 have young onset dementia which means they develop it under the age of 65.
Over 90 per cent of cases are diagnosed when sufferers are in their 70s and 80s, making old age the most common risk factor.
But the charity expert said: “Research shows that up to 40 per cent of dementia cases are avoidable through lifestyle changes which means people can do more to ward off their individual risk.
"Not smoking and taking exercise, keeping your heart healthy and keeping your mind active through learning something new or doing puzzles, all help.
“Social connection also has a big impact which is why we encourage people with hearing loss to wear hearing aids so they can continue to participate socially and stave off a snowball effect on your brain’s health that comes with isolation.”
Recent trials of the drugs lecanemab and donanemab have proved for the first time that Alzheimer’s could be slowed down and experts are expecting them to be available on the NHS as soon as next year.
Dr Mitchell said: “The reality is that currently if you are diagnosed with dementia you will die with the condition but it’s never too late to introduce the lifestyle factors that can help, even after diagnosis.
“While they are best made long before to avoid the disease altogether, studies show that even in the milder stages of the dementia, these changes may help slow down its progression.”
Alzheimer’s Research UK said that only 30 per cent of people knew there was something they could do to reduce their risk.
Dr Mitchell said: “Dementia is the most feared consequence of ageing.
“Some people may have genes that increase the chance of developing the condition, but we want to empower people to help them reduce their risk.”
Find out more info on how to look after your brain health with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Think Brain Health Check-In at alzheimersresearchuk.org/brain health/think-brain-health.
