Risk factors
What are risk factors?
Many diseases have specific causes. For example, a virus causes measles. The causes of many chronic diseases or conditions, however, are unknown or uncertain. In their search for answers, scientists look for factors that appear to be linked to the development of a disease. These are "risk factors." If they are present, there is an increased chance, but not a certainty, that the disease will develop. Risk factors are characteristics of the person, lifestyle, environment, and genetic background that contribute to the likelihood of getting a disease. Some risk factors can be changed (e.g., lowering blood pressure); other risk factors cannot be changed (e.g., genetic makeup).
Risk factors on their own are not causes of a disease.
They suggest an increased chance but not a certainty that the disease will develop. Similarly, having little or no exposure to known risk factors does not necessarily protect a person from developing Alzheimer's disease.
Scientists believe that Alzheimer's disease is caused when there are too many risk factors, and they overwhelm the brain’s natural self-repair mechanisms. This reduces the brain's ability to maintain healthy nerve cells.
Further research will help deepen our understanding of the role of risk factors in developing Alzheimer's disease.
It is important to identify the risk factors for Alzheimer's disease so that people can make lifestyle choices that help reduce the chance of developing the disease.
Read more on the Alzheimer Canada website...