As humans age, certain diseases begin to emerge. Among them, the most representative examples are heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s (dementia). However, the only disease among these that directly results from aging is Alzheimer’s. Other diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure, are largely caused by our diet and lifestyle choices.

A lack of regular exercise, overeating, uncontrolled habits, excessive drinking and eating, smoking—these self-destructive actions are the major causes of the diseases mentioned above. In contrast, the onset of dementia stems from a different cause. Dementia develops as brain cells age and degenerate, accumulating a waste product called beta-amyloid in the brain.

Currently, in the United States, there are over 5,000,000 (five million) severe dementia patients living in pain alongside their families. Even more concerning is the academic report stating that 20,000,000 (twenty million) people are struggling with MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment), an early symptom of dementia, which significantly affects their ability to lead normal daily lives. Statistics show that approximately 5% of individuals in the 65-year age group suffer from dementia, but in the 85-year age group, this figure rises to about 50% of the population. The key point is that this disease can affect anyone as they age, and no one is completely immune to it. Instead of thinking, “It won’t happen to me,” we must adopt a firm belief in taking responsibility for our health. By maintaining preventative measures and healthy lifestyle habits, we can ensure a clear mind and healthy living in the years ahead. What matters is not how long we live, but how healthy and fulfilling our lives are.

I recently came across a news report showing that the number of dementia patients in their early 30s to 40s in the United States is rapidly increasing. These individuals, who had easy access to drugs from a young age, are now suffering from brain neuron damage caused by drug use. As a result, at an age when they should be active in society, they are unable to work and are instead confined to hospitals with dementia symptoms. A similar phenomenon is occurring in Korea, attributed to excessive drinking and smoking. Unlike the U.S., Korean society and its environment make alcohol and cigarettes more accessible, further encouraged by media outlets. For example, young female celebrities appear in advertisements holding alcohol bottles and dancing, while famous individuals boast about their drinking capacity on TV programs. These societal factors have elevated dementia to a national and social issue in Korea. This situation led the Minister of Health and Welfare to use the extreme phrase “War on Dementia” to describe the nation’s battle against the disease.

In recent times, the number of teenagers exposed to drugs, smoking, and drinking from an early age has become a significant societal concern. Reports indicate that over 20% of middle school students have experimented with drugs, and 70–80% of high school students have either tried or regularly use drugs. Drug use causes severe damage to the brain health of growing teenagers. The brain cells destroyed by drug use are irreparably damaged, to the extent that normal life becomes impossible, leading to severe consequences in adulthood. We must acknowledge that our children are growing up in an environment where drugs are easily accessible. Parents need to spend more time with their children, care for them with love, and protect them from the potential temptations of drugs.

In the next installment, let’s explore early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease (dementia), including self-diagnosis methods and symptoms that may manifest in family members.