MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON WORLD BRAIN DAY

World Brain Day 2024 is a time to focus on brain-related health issues. We at Malla Reddy Hospital are taking this opportunity to join the global effort to prioritize and safeguard brain health, by spreading awareness, fostering collaboration, and advocating for preventive measures. "World Brain Day, celebrated annually on July 22 by the World Federation of Neurology, aims to raise awareness of neurological disorders and promote brain health," says Dr. Rohith Kumar, Consultant Neurologist at Malla Reddy Narayana Hospital. "The theme for this year is 'Brain Health and Prevention." We aim to shed light on brain health issues that have not been given the attention they deserve.
With diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s on the rise, it is important that we educate the uninformed about the diagnosis and treatment of these brain health disorders. Other disorders like Dementia and Epilepsy also, in many cases, go untreated due to economic and social challenges. In many low-income groups, there is very little understanding of dementia and epilepsy, and the sufferers are treated like outcasts, instead of being given appropriate and timely treatment.
"The World Brain Day 2024 focus is brain health and prevention, aligning with WHO brain health initiatives and the Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders. Time is brain, and there is a pivotal role of prevention, proactive care, and risk mitigation in reducing the enormous impact of neurological diseases, now the leading cause of disability globally!", says Dr. Jagadish Annapurna, Consultant Interventional Neurologist of the Mallareddy Narayana Hospital
"In developing countries like ours, head injuries are on the rise and are a leading cause of death and disability. Prevent head injuries by educating the public about road traffic awareness and providing timely medical treatment. We at MallaReddy provide comprehensive head injury management at affordable prices," says Dr. Ravi Kiran Gorijala,Consultant Neurosurgeon at Malla Reddy Narayana Hospital. "Brain tumours are also on the rise along with other cancers. The public needs to be educated about them and remove the fear of treatment because many brain tumours are curable," adds Dr. Ravi Kiran Gorijala. "To maintain a healthy brain, it is important to get 6-8 hours of sleep, exercise regularly (5 days a week), avoid screen time 2 hours prior to bedtime, avoid caffeine/nicotine at least 6 hours before sleep, and take a healthy diet," advises Dr. Rohith Kumar, Consultant Neurologist.
At Malla Reddy Hospital, we are making an effort to alert people to the following:
Prevention: Neurological disorders are preventable through early detection and effective treatment. Early detection can significantly impact the management of these disorders.
Awareness: Education on preventive brain health is a dire necessity. We aim to spread awareness about the importance of adopting a proactive approach to brain health. This is crucial in reducing the incidence of preventable neurological disorders.
Access: Socio economic status or geographic location should not be barriers to prevention. Ensuring equal access to preventive measures is essential to creating a more inclusive and equitable healthcare landscape.
Brain health is a global crisis. Brain disorders are the second leading cause of death worldwide. This is especially true in low-income and middle-income countries. While there are no definitive cures for many neurological disorders, understanding and addressing risk factors can significantly alleviate this burden. Interventions such as reducing lead exposure, smoking cessation, and managing glucose levels, could all yield substantial results in reducing the disease burden, in addition to lifestyle modifications in relation to sleep, stress management, diet and exercise.
At Malla Reddy Hospital, we emphasise the importance of remembering that neurological disorders are preventable through early detection and effective management. Global education on taking prevention measures for brain health is imperative, and should be extended to all sections of society. We are actively pursuing this route, by spreading awareness amongst our patients. We must recognise that brain health is a fundamental human right, and this is at the core of our mission.