What Is The Importance Of Brain Health?

The brain is, without a doubt, one of the most important organs in the human body. It directs and coordinates your actions and feelings, enables you to think and judge, to have emotions, and to cherish memories—all qualities that make you human.

However, certain disorders can impact your emotions, thinking, and behavior. You may suffer mood swings that range from extreme highs to extreme lows.

If you have noticed specific changes affecting the quality of your life, please contact Dr. Mohana Rao. He founded Dr. Rao’s Hospital, a world-class neurology hospital in Guntur. 

A highly experienced neurosurgeon in Guntur, he has easily and successfully performed hundreds of intricate and complicated procedures.

Let us read on to understand brain health and why it is important.

What is brain health?

Brain health is a new notion that incorporates neuronal development, flexibility, functioning, and healing during a person’s life. 

Your cognitive performance is entirely dependent on the general functioning of your body. Brain health affects the ability to think, interpret, perceive, react, communicate, make decisions, and solve problems.

Dr. Mohana Rao, a proficient neurosurgeon in Guntur, says that various linked social and biological elements (including genetics) influence brain growth and health right from conception through death. These variables impact how our brains develop, adapt, and react to stressful events, resulting in measures for both prevention and promotion throughout life.

Can genetics affect my brain’s health?

A mutant gene or combination of genes can be carried down from generation to generation in a family. 

The following are some examples of hereditary brain disorders:

Leukodystrophies are a group of rare congenital conditions affecting your central nervous system (CNS), which comprises the brain and spinal cord.

Phenylketonuria (PKU): is a hereditary condition that causes elevated levels of the amino acid phenylalanine in the blood. It can lead to seizures, intellectual disability, and behavioral problems.

Tay-Sachs disease: A hereditary condition in which nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain are destroyed.

Wilson’s disease: A hereditary condition that causes an excess copper buildup in your body. The liver and brain are usually involved in the symptoms.

How can one maintain a healthy brain?

As you age, your brain gradually ages, leading to fragmented memory and decreased brain mass. 

Following are a few key factors that affect how healthy your brain remains throughout your life:

Brain health of a growing child: The interaction of your child’s brain and environment impacts how he or she acts, thinks, and feels. For example, your child’s favorite pastimes and talents may become ‘hard-wired’ in the brain.

You play a crucial role in your child’s life. How you lead and inspire your child will also help him or her develop a healthy brain.

You can accomplish this by:

• Encouraging constructive and positive behavior
• Developing good reasoning skills 
• Ensuring your child gets adequate sleep

Cardiovascular health: There is significant evidence that cardiovascular and brain health is intertwined and that damage to your vascular system and heart can harm the brain.

Risk factors for cardiovascular health include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension) 
• High blood sugar
• High cholesterol
• High body mass index (BMI)
• Poor diet
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Smoking 

Substance abuse and addiction: Due to neurotoxicity, nutritional deficiencies, neuroinflammation, and changes in neurotransmitter systems, excessive and persistent use of toxic substances like drugs and alcohol can hurt brain health.

Neurotransmitter systems ensure that brain cells communicate with one another and that the brain communicates with cells in your entire body.

Get adequate sleep: Sleep’s importance in brain health cannot be overstated. It plays a significant role in the optimum functioning of your brain, immune system, and other body systems.

Good sleep habits keep your mind focused and sharp and enhance your general brain process, allowing you to make more intelligent decisions. 

Depending on your age, doctors recommend a minimum of 6–8 hours of sleep per night. Regular, undisturbed, peaceful sleep allows your brain to clear metabolic waste and improves memory.

Dr. Mohana Rao, an eminent neurosurgeon in Guntur, says that the state of the brain is influenced by how well it functions, how much blood, nutrients, and oxygen it receives, and how well it cleans and filters toxic proteins.

A diet that boosts your brain: Certain nutrients are also required for brain health. For example, omega-3 fatty acids aid in developing and repairing brain cells, while antioxidants lower cell damage and inflammation, both of which have been associated with brain aging and neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease.

A healthy,, balanced diet includes a range of fruits, vegetables, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Whole grains like brown rice, oatmeal, etc., are suitable for the body and the mind. Green leafy vegetables, berries, fatty fish, eggs, avocados, peanuts, walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, tea, coffee, and dark chocolate are excellent brain foods.

Keep your brain active: Puzzles strengthen communication between brain cells, boost mental speed, and are particularly helpful at improving short-term memory.

It does not matter if your choice of puzzle is a 500-piece jigsaw, a crossword puzzle, a brain teaser, or Sudoku; they all have one thing in common: they stimulate your brain.

Why is brain health important?

Dr. Mohana Rao, one of the best neurosurgeons in Guntur, states that though brain health is one of the most crucial aspects of our overall health, it is frequently overlooked and undervalued. 

Brain health is critical since it controls the daily functioning of the entire body. Good brain health helps you recognize your strengths and enhance your cognitive, emotional, psychological, and behavioral functioning to deal with life’s challenges. 

Brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, etc., do not have a cure yet. However, studies suggest that there are ways to reduce risk and halt growth. Do not think of these diseases as affecting the elderly; take preventative measures now and protect your brain health, regardless of age.

Conclusion

Depression, withdrawal from your favorite activities and friends, inability to concentrate are some of the signs that your brain health is being harmed. Talk about your issues with loved ones. It is one of the most beneficial methods of treatment. It will aid in the recovery and well-being of your brain health, resulting in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Regardless of our age, what we were born with, or any health issues we may have developed, we need to start caring for our brains. It is never too late to adjust our living habits to promote brain health.

If you have any concerns or questions regarding brain health and its care, do not hesitate to consult with Dr. Mohana Rao. He is one of the most trusted neurosurgeons in Guntur, and he is known for his professionalism, integrity, and expertise.