Every Friday, like July 22, we celebrate world brain day, And this year, under the motto brain health for all It aims to raise awareness of the importance of brain health, the most complex organ in man, and to educate on the prevention of neurological diseases.
According to the data of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), we are talking about diseases that are highly prevalent.
so that One in three people in the world are affected by neurological disorders, and in result It is the first cause of disability and the second cause of mortality.,
As he explains the ‘health guide’ Dr. Jose Miguel LanezuePresident, Sen.
- “Despite affecting over 15% of the population, there is little awareness of neurological diseases in the population.”
In Spain, this type of morbidity also leads to a ranking of incidence, mortality and/or disability.
More than 7 million Spaniards are affected by some neurological disease. and so we find that the stroke is second cause of death in our country.
The latest data shows that the annual incidence of stroke is 187.4 cases per 100,000 residents, This means that more than 70,000 new cases are reported every year. And they can be avoided.
Doctors emphasize that neurological diseases, including stroke, are not understood by age groups, gender or socioeconomic status, and that it is important to “advance to a healthy brain such as avoiding smoking, high blood pressure, depression, physical and mental inactivity”. Habits have to be fulfilled.
In addition, “diabetes, alcohol consumption or air pollution appear to increase the prevalence and progression of many neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s or epilepsy.”
Controlling risk factors key to stroke survival
Although it does not affect men and women equally (it is the first cause of death among them), it manifests itself with similar symptoms:
- Confusion
- Numbness
- weakness of one part of the body
- Difficulty walking or talking.
It is a cerebrovascular disease that affects the blood vessels of the brain.
And statistics show that one in six people will suffer a stroke in their lifetime. But how can we avoid it?
- Healthy Diet, Low in salt and saturated fat, without neglecting adequate protein and caloric intake.
- Physical exercise, A sedentary lifestyle is associated with obesity, high blood pressure or increased cholesterol. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends between 150 and 300 minutes of physical activity. “People with insufficient physical activity have a 20% to 30% increased risk of death compared to those who achieve adequate levels of physical activity.”
- obesity, It is closely related to high blood pressure, diabetes and increased cholesterol and, therefore, to the development of heart diseases.
- blood pressure, As already mentioned, hypertension is the most important and important risk factor. In most cases there is no specific cause (95%), as there may be a family tendency due to high levels of stress, diabetes or age.
- diabetes, This disease damages the arteries and increases the risk of vascular accident manifold.
- Tobacco, This impairs blood circulation and lung capacity.
- Liquor. Excessive consumption can lead to alcoholic cardiomyopathy (the heart is dilated and cannot pump blood normally).
- control of risk factors,
How can Alzheimer’s be prevented?
About 800,000 people in Spain suffer from Alzheimer’s disease. it is one of Major causes of dementia worldwide And the disease that produces the greatest disability. 40,000 new cases are diagnosed every year.
However, it is estimated that 80% are still unknown. And a healthy lifestyle, says Dr. Jose Miguel Lanez, “can prevent its appearance by 50%”.
Dr. Juan ForteaThe coordinator of the Behavioral and Dementia Study Group of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN) explains that the prevalence of Alzheimer’s “increases rapidly from the age of 65”.
- “Given the progressive aging of the Spanish population, the development of health policies aimed at guaranteeing adequate diagnosis is urgent.”
“It is estimated that half of Alzheimer’s disease cases can be attributed to 10 potentially modifiable risk factors:
- diabetes
- Arterial hypertension in middle age
- middle aged obesity
- smoking
- physical inactivity
- depression
- cognitive dysfunction
- low educational level
- Deafness (loss of hearing)
- social solitude”,
Thus, “a 10 to 25% reduction in these risk factors could potentially prevent 1 to 3 million cases of Alzheimer’s in the world.”
