World Brain Day puts the spotlight on our brilliant but not invincible brains. With neurological diseases impacting so many people, we have some good news: they can be prevented and here’s how!
Global (21 July 2024) — Our brains are complicated places, and with so many terms related to them entering mainstream discourse, it can be overwhelming to make sense of what brain-related concerns are in our control and which aren’t. From mental well-being to neurodivergence and neurological diseases, there are key differences in what many minds go through. In honour of World Brain Day, we’re taking a look at where we can serve our brains better—starting with the complex world of neurological diseases.
What You Need to Know
- More than 70% of neurological diseases are prevalent in low-to-middle-income countries and are the second leading cause of death globally, accounting for 9 million deaths per year.
- Additionally, neurological diseases are the second leading cause of disability worldwide.
- In South Africa, it’s understood that 1 in every 100 people [iii] is affected by epilepsy, 2 South Africans suffer a stroke every 10 minutes (of every day) [iv] and around 4-8% of people suffer from dementia [v]
- But, up to 80% of strokes [i], 40% of dementia cases [ii] and 25% of epilepsies can actually be prevented!
Experts Weigh In
Dr Patty Francis, the President of the Neurological Association of South Africa, says neurological disorders are preventable in two key ways: early detection and effective management. So what stands in the way? Not all patients have equal access to these resources.
“Socioeconomic status or geographic location should not be barriers to prevention. In South Africa, the treatment gap is exasperated by severe staff and resource shortages. The ratio of neurologists to the population in South Africa is 1 per 500 000, compared to 35 per 500 000 population in high-income countries, limiting access to medication, knowledge and preventative care programmes which leads to misperceptions, stigma, lowered living standards and preventable death,” says Dr Francis.
“Healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers play pivotal roles in addressing the global neurological needs. Recognising brain health as a fundamental human right is at the core of our and World Brain Day mission.”
As Dr Francis explains, in children and adolescents, headache disorders and Meningitis are among the top ten causes of global disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and within the top three causes for girls aged 10-24.
Additionally, women, older people and those living in poverty are also said to be disproportionately affected.
Managing Neurological Diseases
“The most important aspect of managing neurological diseases is our choice of lifestyle. By prioritising a healthy lifestyle, people can protect their brain health which is essential for healthy cognitive, emotional and social skills. Optimising brain health ought to begin early in life and remain a focal health priority throughout one’s entire life,” says Dr Francis.
“Inactivity, alcohol intake, smoking, and diets high in fat and processed foods, and lack of sleep, increase our risk. Almost everyone can protect themselves from the devastating impact of neurological disease by making small improvements.”
How to Best Protect Your Brain
Dr Francis suggests the following tips to best protect your brain:
- Stay socially connected – maintain strong social ties (in person, not online) to improve cognitive function and emotional well-being.
- Avoid alcohol and stop smoking – smoking damages neurons (brain cells) and alcohol consumption can lead to memory impairment and cognitive decline.
- Stay hydrated
- Exercise regularly – physical activity increases blood flow to the brain, promotes new brain cell growth and enhances cognitive function
- Prioritise sleep – aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to support memory consolidation, information processing and toxin removal in the brain.
- Eat a balanced diet – fuel your brain with a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats for optimal cognitive function.
- Manage stress – practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing, contemplation, prayer and daily periods of “no screen time”.
- Breathe clean air – minimise, as far as possible, time spent in highly polluted environments. By simply taking a 15-20 minute walk in fresh air fulfills many of the brain-effective recommendations listed above.
Resources:
[i] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/vitalsigns/stroke/index.html
[ii] Favas TT, Dev P, Chaurasia RN, et al. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of proportions. Neurological Sciences. 2020. Abdullahi A, Candan SA, Abba MA, et al. Neurological and musculoskeletal features of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Neurology. 2020.
[iii] 002-Brochure-Facts-about-Epilepsy.pdf
[iv] Heart and Stroke Foundation, South Africa. https://www.heartfoundation.co.za/
[iv] World Health Organization, Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders 2022-2031, Available from, https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/intersectoral-global-action-plan-on-eepilepsy-and-other-neurologi cal-disorders-2022-2031, 2022.
[v] Dementia Prevalence in a Rural Region of South Africa: A Cross-Sectional Community Study, Celeste A. de Jager,a,* William Msemburi,b Katy Pepper,c and Marc I. Combrincka, J Alzheimers Dis. 2017; 60(3): 1087–1096.
Sources: Supplied
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