Neurologist Conrado Estol: “If habits do not control anxiety, consult a professional”

Living to 90 or 100 in good physical and cognitive health is a realistic possibility, neurologist Conrado Estol said, but he argued that prevention must begin well before old age.

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If habits do not control anxiety, you should consult a professional. You should not be afraid of properly prescribed medication.

In an interview with LA NACION, Estol said society is undergoing a historic change in human life expectancy. The focus, he said, should shift from simply adding years to improving the health and quality of those years. He urged young people and adults under 50 to adopt a preventive approach.

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Two-thirds of people reach and spend their last 10 years of life in poor or very poor health.

Estol said two-thirds of people spend their final decade in poor or very poor health, a period he described as a “lost decade.” He argued that this outcome can be changed through consistent daily habits rather than quick fixes. His seven pillars are stress control, social relationships, proper sleep, no smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, healthy nutrition and exercise.

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The seven pillars for healthy aging are: controlling stress, maintaining your social ties, sleeping properly, zero cigarettes, moderating alcohol, healthy nutrition and exercise.

He also emphasized purpose and optimism, saying a positive outlook should not be dismissed as a cliché. Estol warned against treating retirement as a reason for passivity and encouraged older people to stay active. He said age should not dictate a person’s sense of possibility, arguing that chronological age does not determine whether someone is “old.”

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You should not say, I am 75, what should I do? I will watch soap operas all afternoon. No. You have to stay active.