FIGHTING GERMANY'S TOP DISEASES - A CLOSER LOOK AT CANCER, HEART DISEASE, DEMENTIA AND DEPRESSION

What are people in Germany getting sick from? FOCUS Online informs about the four major public health diseases 

•          Cancer,

•          Cardiovascular diseases,

•          Dementia,

•          and Depression.

There have never been so many people suffering from these diseases as there are now. This is largely due to an aging society. As with many diseases, the risk of cancer, heart disease, or dementia increases with age. A growing number of people with depression is also due to destigmatization, a positive development indeed. Further factors and details can be found in individual articles.

Specifically, we cover the medical backgrounds surrounding causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options. At the same time, we provide concrete steps for each disease to help you minimize your own risk. In each case, a person affected shares their life story with cancer, heart disease, dementia, or depression, which is moving, sometimes sad, but always encouraging.

First main topic: cardiovascular diseases (Monday)

Cardiovascular diseases are often termed the ‘silent killer’ – they can go unnoticed for a long time, but can then be deadly. In Germany, they account for about 40% of all deaths, thus being the most common cause of death. Coronary heart disease and heart attacks play a significant role here.

The good news is that the causes of cardiovascular diseases are largely understood, which means they can be countered with certain measures and lifestyle factors. All background information, details, and a case study of a dentist who unknowingly had a heart attack on vacation and now warns of the unusual symptoms, can be found in our series.

Second main topic: dementia (Tuesday)

Currently, an estimated 1.8 million people in Germany live with dementia. The most common form is Alzheimer's dementia, accounting for about two-thirds.

So far, there is no cure for the disease, which results in progressive brain degradation. Nevertheless, experts emphasize that an early diagnosis is substantial. That is because targeted measures and, if necessary, medication can alleviate the symptoms. There's also hope in a drug that may be approved later this year. It breaks down the typical Alzheimer's protein deposits in the brain, which are responsible for many cognitive problems.

All the background information, details, and a moving story about a man who cared for his dementia-stricken wife and has now received a dementia diagnosis himself, can be found in our series.

Third main topic: cancer (Thursday)

More than 4.5 million people in Germany live with a cancer diagnosis. That's more people than ever before. This is due to an increasingly aging population, but also to improved survival rates. People in this country are most often diagnosed with breast, prostate, colon, or lung cancer.

The good news is that a cancer diagnosis often no longer means a death sentence today. Early detection is important. There is also hope in a new therapy concept: the mRNA vaccine against cancer. All the background information, details, and a moving story can be found in our series.

Fourth main topic: depression (Friday)

Even mental illnesses like depression can become a public health issue. According to various studies, about every fifth to sixth person will experience depression at least once in their lifetime. 

Even though mental illnesses are fortunately no longer as stigmatized as they used to be, many people still find it difficult to openly talk about them. With our articles, we want to challenge this. All the background information, details, and an assessment by psychologist Stefanie Stahl can be found in our series.

Also, Georg Rösl openly and impressively reports on his life with severe depression while moving forward. Rösl has developed a method to strengthen his own mental health through close exchange with therapists.

2024-04-29T10:45:22Z dg43tfdfdgfd