Neurological diseases are becoming more common; understand

Neurological diseases, such as dementia, headaches or strokes, are becoming more common. A study published in The Lancet Neurology evaluated 37 diseases in different age groups and revealed that they affected 43% of the world population in 2021.

Data can support the healthcare system to identify these conditions and treat them more seriously.

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Neurological diseases

• The study analyzed 37 neurological diseases in different age groups using the World Health Organization (WHO) methodology, which evaluates high, low and middle income countries as a whole. In other words, in addition to age diversification, there is also income;
• Some of the most prevalent conditions in pediatric age are childhood encephalopathies and autism. In adults, headaches, migraines and headaches;
• In the elderly, the most common are strokes and dementias, such as Alzheimer’s. This is partly related to aging;
• The conclusion is that, in 2021, 43% of the world’s population had some type of condition in the nervous system, the equivalent of 3.4 billion people.

Global emergency

It is important to contextualize the methodology. According to Professor Luiz Henrique Martins Castro, from the Department of Neurology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of São Paulo, the high number is due to the study methodology, which provides new insight into conditions that affect the nervous system. Research encompasses all of them as neurological diseases, while other research may define them as cardiological or psychiatric diseases.

To the USP Newspaperhe highlighted the importance of analysis in providing data so that doctors, especially those on the first frontline of care, can recognize early signs and make appropriate interventions to minimize damage.

Furthermore, the study allows the public health system to organize itself according to the prevalence of each condition.

Prevention and treatment of neurological diseases

Even given the rising data, Castro highlights the importance of primary prevention for these diseases, which do not involve specific medical treatment or early interventions.

For example, to prevent a stroke it is important to control blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol levels, reduce smoking, practice physical activity, control body mass and more.

For the elderly, especially, it is also important to monitor health conditions such as loss of memory or motor functions.