The World Report on Alzheimer's 2014 was presented today in Salamanca, within the III Symposium on advances in the disease inaugurated S.M Queen Sofia.
According to this study, there are important evidence that indicates that the risk of dementia for the population can be modified by reducing tobacco and greater control and detection of hypertension and diabetes, as well as the proper control ofthe risks or cardiovascular problems.Basically, what is good for the heart is good for the brain.
The work, carried out by the professor and director of the United Kingdom Mental Health Center, Martin Prince, notes that messages to promote brain health must be integrated into public health promotion campaigns, such as those that already exist.The reduction of tobacco consumption between the population and avoiding noncommunicable diseases must be emphasized.The message to highlight, the report indicates, is that "it is never too late to start making changes."
This report suggests in a concise manner that dementia must be included in the approach of the World Health Organization (WHO) and in the public campaigns of noncommunicable diseases.
Currently, the clearest evidence for possible causal associations with dementia are: the little education in early stages;hypertension in mature age;tobacco consumption;and diabetes throughout life.
Early detection and proper treatment of diabetes and hypertension, as well as quitting smoking, must be a priority in older adults who have not been included in prevention programs.Physical activity and reducing obesity levels are also important.
Secondary and Tertiary Education
For Prince Prince, it is possible to improve the reduction of the incidence (new cases) of dementia if global efforts are associated to improve access to secondary and tertiary education.It is also important to highlight the evidence of several scientific studies that indicate the inverse relationship between greater cognitive activity (stimulation of intellectual functions) in the elderly and the decrease in the incidence (new cases) of dementia.However, this association may not be causal and the benefits of cognitive stimulation activities need to be subjected to tests, controlled random essays that shed more light in this regard.
While cardiovascular health is improving in countries with higher income, it is deteriorating in the rest of the world, says the report.Many medium and low income countries show a growth pattern of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension and diabetes.The greatest increase in the prevalence of dementia will be in medium and low income countries where the risk factors mentioned in this study are still a serious problem.
The report concludes that if we reach the elderly with healthier and better developed brains we will be better prepared to live for a longer period of time, happy, productive and more independent;and with lower chances of developing dementia.The tremendous economic cost for the global company of more than $ 600 billion, which are invested for dementia, puts at stake very difficult situations to be socially faced.