According to the WHO, Smoking, promote alcohol and Obesity dementia

According to the world health organization will develop in the coming years, more and more people to dementia. On the other hand could help - just like in other diseases - a gesunderer life style.

By Dietrich Karl Mäurer, ARD-Studio in Zurich

in The beginning, only the short-term disturbed memory, but then in the course of a dementia disease disappear already impressed contents of long-term memory. More and more the person's abilities and skills they had acquired in the course of their lives. The language is dwindling assets, as well as the thinking skills and sense of orientation. The personality of the patient changes.

The world health organization expects that the number of people affected by Alzheimer's or other dementia diseases will increase sharply. "We know that increasing numbers of people with dementia worldwide. Currently 50 million people around the world with dementia. And this number will triple by 2050, almost tripled," says the WHO expert Neerja Chowdhary of the Department of mental health.

< p > social challenge

dementia diseases are not only for relatives and Carers to be a challenge, but also for the entire society: "It is estimated that by 2030, the costs for the care of people with dementia in a year, two trillion dollars will go up," said Chowdhary. A medical challenge is the fact that there are no vaccines that can help prevent dementia, nor a means, can be cured with the Patients. WHO expert Chowdhary: "Since there is currently no cure for dementia, it is extremely important to focus on the risk factors."

A healthy lifestyle will also prevent

In various studies disease is a link between dementia and life style and other health-related aspects are highlighted. It was found that what is good for the heart and cardiovascular system is good for the brain. In this respect, the well of the world health organization for the first time-made recommendations should be familiar to all. "In order to reduce the risk of dementia, it is necessary to increase the physical activity, tobacco use is stopped, and alcohol consumption be reduced," says Chowdhary. Moreover, high blood pressure, Diabetes, and elevated cholesterol levels must be treated.

WHO warns against dietary supplements

With all of these measures leave the outbreak or the progression of dementia, delay. Specifically, the WHO of taking special vitamin supplements and dietary supplements advises against the promise to reduce the mental decline. Chowdhary: "There is evidence that this is not useful, and if you take this agent in high doses, you know, you can be harmful."

The WHO recommendations are directed to each individual, as well as to clinicians, so that these inform their patients properly, and also to governments, policy makers and authorities. - It is said by the world health organization should develop on the basis of the guidelines, programs that support a healthy lifestyle.

exercise and not Smoking - WHO recommendations for dementia risk reduction
Karl Dietrich Mäurer, ARD Zürich
14.05.2019 19:13 PM

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