Our remarkable brain helps us to remember yesterday’s events as well as those from a decade ago. It helps us to organize tasks, make decisions and plan activities in an orderly fashion. We learn, and we consider proper behavior to live a productive life.
Our brain also acts as the conductor leading the orchestra of body movements. The most sophisticated computers cannot rival the endless functions of the brain. Will Artificial Intelligence, or AI, someday surpass the brain’s powers? Only time will tell. For now, continuing to keep the brain healthy is the best course of action.
Brain Disorders
Our brain can be affected by disease, disorders, injury, and natural aging.
One disorder of the brain is epilepsy where the neurons in the brain react abnormally. The normal brain pattern is disrupted causing strange behaviors and emotions, muscle spasms, convulsions, and loss of consciousness. More than two million Americans have had seizures and been been diagnosed with epilepsy,
There is no correlation between epilepsy and mental illness or retardation. There is no cure, but medication can reduce the number of seizures.
Causes for epilepsy include a brain injury, a brain tumor, heart attack or stroke, alcoholism, and abnormal brain development or disease
Alzheimer’s is a significant brain disease, and it is usually associated with age. It is a progressive disease with no cure, although there are medications to reduce some symptoms.
Symptoms include a slow decline in memory, thinking and reasoning skills- all affecting daily life. As it progresses, patients can lose the ability to move and speak, and daily care is required.
Our Healthy And Flexible Brain
With all the stress involved in daily life, we would be wise to focus on keeping our brains healthy. Stress can lead to depression and a higher risk of mental deterioration. So how can we protect our brain and keep it healthy?
- Relax however you can. Try yoga or meditation to reduce stress.
- Get enough sleep. It helps the brain reset and be ready for a new day.
- Stay engaged and socially active no matter your age.
- Remain positive. The “power of positive thinking” keeps our brain functioning at peak. Be grateful.
- Eat healthy foods. Green vegetables, fruits, and fatty fish should be apart of everyone’s diet.
- Keep learning new things. Enjoy a new hobby, read and travel if possible. Our flexible brain is capable of acquiring new information no matter how old you are. An inquiring brain is a healthy brain.
Use these tips to help reduce cognitive damage and keep your brain healthy and flexible. In addition, contact Southwest Diagnostic Imaging Center or your Primary Physician if you have questions about brain functions or if you develop unusual symptoms.