By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - South Africa is facing a severe health challenge as the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) forecasts a massive 181% surge in dementia prevalence by 2050, an almost threefold increase. Driven largely by an ageing population and longer life expectancy, Neurologist Dr. Harsha Patel explains that lifestyle issues like physical inactivity, smoking and chronic diseases also contribute by damaging brain cells and reducing cognitive reserve. Speaking to Newsbreak, Dr. Patel urges early medical intervention for these memory concerns, as it allows for ruling out reversible causes and establishing a support channel for both patients and their caregivers... 

<p>By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - South Africa is facing a severe health challenge as the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) forecasts a massive 181% surge in dementia prevalence by 2050, an almost threefold increase. Driven largely by an ageing population and longer life expectancy, Neurologist Dr. Harsha Patel explains that lifestyle issues like physical inactivity, smoking and chronic diseases also contribute by damaging brain cells and reducing cognitive reserve. Speaking to Newsbreak, Dr. Patel urges early medical intervention for these memory concerns, as it allows for ruling out reversible causes and establishing a support channel for both patients and their caregivers...&nbsp;</p>

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