It is estimated that in 2028 the recognition of neurological diseases in Poles will increase by 25%. compared to the current state. This is the effect of the lifestyle we lead: with improper diet, stimulants, insufficient sleep, workaholism and chronic stress. The consequences of not changing these habits can be dire, and the sight of a 30-year-old with a stroke will become almost commonplace.
- Stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, migraine – these are the most common neurological diseases that Poles struggle with. They concern up to 30 percent. society
- These diseases, in most cases, do not significantly shorten the life expectancy of patients, but they definitely affect its quality, causing disability and / or an increased risk of developing other diseases.
- In Poland, their treatment leaves much to be desired. There are only 4,6 thousand patients at their disposal. neurologists. One third of them are of retirement age
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage
Neurological clinics full of patients
Experts spoke about the challenges posed by the increase in the number of patients with neurological diseases during the press conference “Neurology 2022”. Prof. Konrad Rejdak, president of the Polish Neurological Society, said that more and more patients complain about symptoms of neurological disorders come to the clinic.
The diagnoses vary. Sometimes patients suspect a migraine and come to confirm the diagnosis, but sometimes the diagnosis is a surprise. This is especially true when the clinical picture shows that the patient has the onset of dementia, e.g. Alzheimer’s or multiple sclerosis.
– These diseases affect one third of the population, so the challenges are enormous – said the expert quoted by PAP.
Strokes are an increasing challenge. This is a problem that affects 70 every year. Poles. Unfortunately, it is diagnosed in younger and younger people. Doctors see even 30-year-olds in their offices and hospital wards.
According to the data presented during the conference, strokes are the second leading cause of death in our country. It is also significant that they cause disability, twice as long if we take into account the years of living with a disability, compared to complications of coronary artery disease.
The rest of the article is available under the video.
There are too few neurologists in Poland
One of the many challenges that experts point to in the treatment of neurological diseases is the lack of staff that can look after patients suffering from these diseases. Although there are plans to enlarge the medical staff (both doctors and nurses) in the field of neurology, at the moment, patients can count on access to 4,6 thousand. neurologists. For comparison, there are over 29,1 thousand professionally active internists, and almost 5,1 thousand cardiologists.
Other changes are also needed. These include the creation of highly specialized neurological centers, but also the creation of separate clinics dedicated to specific diseases (e.g. brain vascular diseases clinics, treatment of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders, as well as epilepsy and migraine treatment clinics).
Much emphasis was placed on the development of outpatient specialist care, which is to relieve hospitals in the treatment of neurological diseases. – Shifting the burden of systemic care from diagnostics and hospital treatment to outpatient care would significantly reduce the costs of treatment – explained Prof. Konrad Rejdak.
Funds from the National Reconstruction Plan are also to help improve the efficiency and quality of medical care as well as access to it. By 2026, over EUR 4,5 billion is to be allocated for this purpose.
Early diagnosis is very important in the case of neurological diseases. Among the tests worth doing is an MRI of the head. You can make an appointment for this examination at Medonet Market.
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