Today, like every July 22, World Brain Day is commemorated, a date that seeks to raise awareness and disseminate knowledge about neurological disorders that affect people around the world.
The World Federation of Neurology states that these conditions are still the cause of years of life with disability, and affect global health through pathologies such as: cerebrovascular accidents (CVA), migraines, diseases such as Alzheimer’s, meningitis and epilepsy.
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According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), hundreds of millions of people worldwide currently suffer from neurological disorders. Around six million people die each year from strokes, more than 50 million have epilepsy and 50 million suffer from dementia. Furthermore, Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia: it is estimated to account for between 60% and 70% of cases.
What does it mean to have a healthy brain?
Many of the health problems associated with these diseases are silent and that is why preventative brain care should be promoted in the population, raising awareness about diseases that sometimes go unnoticed.
A person is considered to have a healthy brain when he or she is able to pay attention, receive and recognize information that comes to him or her from outside through the five senses, have the ability to learn new things and remember past events.
Other characteristic features of a healthy brain include the ability to communicate, solve problems and make decisions, as well as having motor skills and being able to control and regulate emotions.
World Brain Day: How to keep your brain active and prevent aging
– Control blood pressure: Blood pressure should be kept below 120/80 mm. One of the fundamental pillars for preventing hypertension is to moderate salt and alcohol consumption, exercise regularly, reduce stress and stop smoking. It is also important to drink the right amount of water.
– Maintain stable cholesterol levels: pTo achieve this, it is recommended to reduce the consumption of foods of animal origin, avoid junk food, and opt for nuts, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, as well as fish and olive oil.
– Keep blood sugar stable: Diet and exercise are two key factors in maintaining stable blood glucose. A balanced diet, with increased fiber intake, good hydration, and adequate protein consumption will contribute in this regard.
– Do physical activity: Maintaining physical activity appropriate to age and physical condition not only contributes to the well-being of the entire organism, but also helps the brain to “exercise” its ability to resolve conflicts, plan, perform simultaneous tasks, and interact perceptively with the environment, keeping it in better shape.
– Eat a healthy diet: Food influences many aspects of health. The key to a healthy diet is to have a varied diet that includes foods from the different groups of the food pyramid. It should also be balanced – eating moderate amounts and following a regular meal schedule – and include at least five meals a day.
– Avoid tobacco: Tobacco smoke not only damages the lungs and heart, it also affects the brain. Long-term smokers suffer from a progressive thinning of the cerebral cortex, which causes aging and a decrease in intelligence.
– Keep learning and challenge the brain: Continuing education can help reduce the risk of brain decline and dementia. It is also important to do activities that force us to think, whether it is putting together a puzzle, creating something for the house or playing a board game.
– Stay sociable: It has been shown that people who have an active social life also have more active and healthier brains. In a context of isolation, it is recommended to keep in touch with our loved ones through video calls, social networks and other communication technologies.