Globally, the incidence of many types of chronic diseases has been reported to be increasing rapidly in the last decade. People of almost all ages are being found victims of this. Health experts say, that increasing neurological diseases in children and youth along with diabetes and heart problems remain a cause of serious concern. Not only is there a risk of negative impact on physical and mental health, but it can also seriously affect the quality of life.
In a recent study published in The Lancet Neurology journal, researchers have expressed concern that in the year 2021, more than 3.4 billion (340 crore) people worldwide were living with various types of neurological problems. Diseases such as epilepsy and dementia are becoming leading causes of ill health and disability globally.
The number of patients and deaths from conditions such as stroke, Alzheimer's disease, and meningitis has also increased significantly in the last three decades.
What are neurological problems?
Before knowing the data of the study, it is important to know what neurological problems are. And what kind of impact is there on health?
Health experts say, our brain, spinal cord, and nerves together form the nervous system. These control all the activities of the body. When something goes wrong in any part of your nervous system, due to some kind of disease or damage, it can cause a variety of side effects. Neurological problems may cause you to have trouble walking, speaking, swallowing, breathing, or learning. They can also cause problems with your memory, senses, or mood.
Health experts say, neurological disorders are considered serious in some cases, which also carries the risk of life-threatening side effects.
Cases of death due to neurological disorders
According to the report published in the Lancet, with the increase in global population, people are more exposed to pollution, and the risk of such problems is increasing due to increasing risk factors related to metabolism and lifestyle. Worldwide, the incidence of disability and premature death due to neurological conditions, also known as Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), has increased by about 18 percent over the past 31 years, the team of researchers said. Is.
These are the top 10 neurological problems
The researchers said the top 10 neurological health problems seen at risk in the year 2021 include stroke, neonatal encephalopathy (brain injury), migraine, Alzheimer's disease-dementia, diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage), meningitis, epilepsy, and premature birth. The most common causes are neurological complications, autism spectrum disorders, and cancers of the nervous system in children.
What do researchers say?
Dr. Jamie Steinmetz, lead author of the study and researcher at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), Washington, says, cases of these serious diseases have increased significantly in almost all countries. More than 80 percent of deaths and health risks due to neurological disorders are being reported from low- and middle-income countries.
Despite these rising diseases, as of 2017, only a quarter of countries globally had a separate budget for neurological problems and only half of the countries had clinical guidelines for it. All governments need to seriously consider reducing the risks of these disorders, which can become increasingly serious and worrying conditions.
(PC: Pixabay)
