What is brain health and why is it important?
Think of the brain as a super complicated machine that does three really important things: helps us understand our senses and move around, takes care of our thinking and emotions, and controls how we act and interact with others.
Also, when we get stressed, our brain is like the boss of handling it. It figures out if something is scary and decides how we should feel and act in response. So, keeping our brain healthy means making sure it stays in good shape for all these jobs, and making sure it doesn’t get sick and stop working properly.
What are the causes of brain abnormalities or dysfunction?
Brain problems can be put into three main groups that doctors agree on:
- Diseases that visibly damage the brain’s structure, like strokes, head injuries, brain tumors, infections that affect the brain, and issues with communication and senses.
- Problems where the connections or networks in the brain don’t work right, like diseases that make the brain cells break down (examples are ParkinsonÔÇÖs, AlzheimerÔÇÖs, and other memory problems) and mental health disorders (examples are schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, alcoholism, and drug abuse).
- Other brain problems where there’s no visible damage or network issue, like really bad headaches (migraines) or problems with sleep.
What can I do to take care of my brain health?
Taking part in physical activities, keeping your brain active, eating healthy foods, spending time with friends, getting enough sleep and rest, and taking care of your heart’s health are the six important things to do for a healthy brain. Some other ideas are to not drink too much alcohol or use drugs, try being thankful and positive, do meditation, and talk to a therapist if you need to.
How does stress affect my brain health?
Stress can disrupt the way our brain works for thinking, making choices, feeling anxious or happy, and this can make these behaviors and feelings stronger or weaker. This disruption in the brain also affects how our body works through things like hormones, the nervous system, the immune system, and metabolism.
What are the early warning signs and symptoms of a brain health issue?
Eating or sleeping too much or too little, pulling away from people and usual activities, having low or no energy, feeling numb or like nothing matters, having unexplained aches and pains, feeling helpless or hopeless, smoking, drinking, or using drugs, feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared, yelling or fighting with family and friends, experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships, having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head, hearing voices or believing things that are not true, thinking of harming yourself or others, inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school are all signs and symptoms of a possible brain health issue.
When do I need to seek professional help for my brain health?
Seek professional help if you are experiencing severe or distressing symptoms that have lasted two weeks or more, such as: Difficulty sleeping, appetite changes that result in unwanted weight changes, struggling to get out of bed in the morning because of mood, difficulty concentrating, loss of interest in things you usually find enjoyable, or an inability to perform usual daily functions and responsibilities.
DonÔÇÖt wait until your symptoms are overwhelming. Talk about your concerns with your primary care provider, who can refer you to a brain health professional if needed.
How do I help my loved one cope with their brain health issue?
Even though there isn’t one answer that fits everyone, studies show that having family support can really help someone dealing with brain health problems. It’s also important to understand that taking care of a loved one with brain health issues comes with its own set of difficulties. These challenges can be tough, so caregivers need to make sure they also take care of themselves.
Here are some ideas to help someone you care about who’s dealing with brain health problems: Go to therapy or support groups with them, keep learning about the latest research, and figure out how to talk to them kindly and support them through their challenges.
References
McEwen, B. (2017). Neurobiological and systemic effects of chronic stress. Chronic Stress, 1, 247054701769232. https://doi.org/10.1177/2470547017692328
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2023, April 24). What is mental health? https://www.samhsa.gov/mental-health
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2022, December). Caring for your mental health. National Institute of Mental Health. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
Wang, Y., Pan, Y., & Li, H. (2020). What is Brain Health and why is it important? BMJ, m3683. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.m3683
