Educational campaign launched 'Neurology and psychiatry - time counts'. For many chronic and neurodegenerative diseases, time plays a crucial role, sometimes even determining life. Therefore, the project "Neurology and psychiatry - time counts!". is intended as an appeal to the public to emphasise that it is the patient who should be an active player in diagnosis and treatment and to better understand the symptoms that threaten their health and life.
A highly educational message has been provided with the support of eminent authorities from the fields of neurology and psychiatry who have addressed the topic from the perspective of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and the situation of patients in the era of COVID-19. The articles are available on the portal www.pacjentilekarz.pl
This introductory article was written with the substantive support of Dr Sebastian Szyper, President of the Stroke Association - Support Counts, and Dr Anna Zimny-Zając, Editor-in-Chief of Medonet.pl
Malina Wieczorek, founder of the SM - walcz o siebie Foundation, which brings together and supports people with multiple sclerosis, became the face of the project.
THE CAMPAIGN SUPPORTS THE FOLLOWING THERAPEUTIC AREAS:
DEPRESSION AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT
It is estimated that up to 1.5 million people suffer from depression in Poland today. It is diagnosed more and more frequently in elderly patients, in the course of other chronic diseases, and depression often coexists with symptoms of dementia or cognitive disorders.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Konrad Rejdak, MD, PhD, President of the Polish Neurological Society
- dr hab. n. med. Piotr Galecki, national consultant in psychiatry
STROKE - LEFT ATRIAL APPENDAGE CLOSURE SURGERY
The mainstay of treatment for patients with atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention is the use of oral anticoagulants. However, many patients cannot use them. For them, the solution is a procedure to close the left atrial appendage. Unfortunately, although reimbursed, it is performed far too rarely in Poland.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Marek Grygier, MD, PhD, Professor, 1st Department of Cardiology, Karol Marcinkowski Poznań Medical University, President of the Cardiovascular Interventions Association of the Polish Cardiac Society
- Dr Anetta Lasek Bal, Prof. of the Silesian Medical University, neurologist at the Upper Silesian Medical Centre in Katowice
SALIVATION - EFFECTIVE AND SAFE TREATMENT
The problem of salivation is often underestimated, considered a natural complication of Parkinson's disease, post-stroke and other neurological conditions, and thus goes untreated. For sufferers, it can be a cause for embarrassment, withdrawal from social life.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Marta Banach, MD, PhD, neurologist at the Department of Neurology, CMUJ, Kraków, Head of the NEurophysiology Laboratory
STROKE - CAN IT BE PREVENTED FROM RECURRING?
Following your doctor's instructions, including taking the medication prescribed by your doctor and changing your lifestyle, are the most important factors to reduce your risk of having another stroke.
Substantive support on this topic was provided by:
- Jacek Różniecki, MD, PhD, Department and Clinic of Neurology, Medical University of Łódź, President of the Polish Headache Society
The editors recommend reading all the articles that are part of the 'Conscious Patient' campaign, available on the portal www.pacjentilekarz.pl