Brain Health Awareness

HEALTH & WELLNESS

By California Broker Magazine

Brain health is a critical measure of overall well-being, but public awareness surrounding the topic is lacking. Although insurance coverage for neurological treatments and preventative healthcare services vary greatly, you can still guide your clients to make healthy decisions that will enhance their brain health and improve access to neurological care at any age.

The Importance of Brain Health

The term “brain health” encompasses the state of your brain and how well it functions in various areas of life, such as:

Learning, thinking, and remembering things
Controlling your body’s movements and balancing
Deciphering and responding to emotions
Using your five senses (seeing, hearing, feeling, tasting, and touching)

Good brain health impacts your ability to function in daily life, enhances your physical and mental wellness, and may reduce your risk of developing cognitive issues and dementia in the future.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), several factors may impact your brain health in different stages of life, including:

Your physical health: Genetics, the health of pregnant mothers, nutrition, substance abuse, sleep quantity and quality, injuries, infections, and more all play a role.
Your environment: Common pollutants found in our environment can significantly affect brain health. Similarly, a nurturing environment during specific stages of life, such as early childhood and adolescence, is essential.
Physical and financial safety: Having a stable home free of abuse and neglect and being able to afford necessities like food, housing, and education impact the brain health of individuals, families, and entire communities.
Learning and social opportunities: Having solid support for learning and social connections optimizes brain health for people of all ages.
Access to healthcare services: Quality healthcare and social services help people manage risk factors, get proper diagnoses, and receive appropriate care and treatment.

While none of these factors alone will determine your brain health, they’re all interconnected and influenced by other factors, so awareness is key.

Common Neurological Conditions

According to a recent study released by The Lancet Neurology, more than 3.4 billion people worldwide (43% of the world’s population) were living with a neurological condition in 2021. The most common neurological disorders are as follows:

Headaches

There are different types of headaches, such as migraines and tension headaches, but they all cause pain and discomfort in the head or face. They can be mild or severe, but most often, they can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medication. Common triggers include dehydration, dietary or weather changes, lack of sleep, and stress. Recurring headaches are not normal and may be caused by an underlying medical condition. A doctor can help determine the cause(s).

Strokes

A stroke is a neurological condition caused by damage to brain cell tissue. The most common type, known as an ischemic stroke, occurs when a blockage (usually a blood clot) disrupts blood flow to the brain. A hemorrhagic stroke is the result of a ruptured blood vessel in the brain, which is often caused by high blood pressure or an aneurysm.

Symptoms of a stroke include sudden numbness or weakness, vision or speech problems, confusion, and loss of coordination. Treatment can vary depending on the severity and type of stroke, but it may include medication, surgery, or other types of medical procedures.

Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a nervous system disorder that worsens over time. Initially, symptoms may begin as a slight tremor of the hands or slurred speech and eventually progress to more severe issues, such as trouble with automatic movements like difficulty swallowing, bladder problems, and dementia.

Scientists aren’t sure what causes Parkinson’s disease, although certain factors are linked to the neurological condition, including:

Specific genetic changes
Environmental factors like exposure to certain toxins
The presence of clumps of protein in the brain called Lewy bodies
Changes to mitochondria in the body’s cells

Medical treatment can help manage symptoms, but there’s no known way to prevent the disease. Researchers believe regular exercise, drinking caffeinated beverages, and taking medicines like ibuprofen may help.

Seizures

A seizure is an abnormal electrical activity in the brain. It can cause symptoms like jerking or twitching muscles, staring, changes in vision, smell, taste, and extreme fear or anxiety. Often, seizures are caused by brain injuries, infections, strokes, or other medical conditions like epilepsy.

Treatment for seizures usually includes anti-seizure medications or surgery, but other types of therapies may also be helpful.

Dementia

Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of severe cognitive symptoms caused by one or several underlying brain disorders. Symptoms of dementia include memory loss, language issues, and difficulty solving problems and completing daily tasks. The cognitive symptoms usually come gradually and worsen over time.

Certain medications and non-drug therapies can help people cope with the cognitive and memory problems associated with dementia, but there is no known cure for its most progressive form, Alzheimer’s disease.

Practical Tips for Maintaining Brain Health

By minimizing risk factors and enhancing certain protective factors, you can improve your brain health. A few examples:

Exercise your brain and body. Research shows that physically active people are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease thanks to increased blood flow to the brain. Additionally, activities like puzzles, sudoku, or memory games are great exercises for your brain. The more you use and challenge it, the better.
Strive for seven to eight hours of sleep per night. Research suggests getting eight consecutive hours of sleep a night gives your brain time to adequately store memories and clear abnormal proteins, enhancing your brain health and function.
Eat a healthy diet. Regularly consuming healthy fats, whole grains, lean proteins, and plenty of fruits and vegetables will help slow cognitive decline as you age and improve your mental focus and cell health.
Maintain social connections. Solitary living lends itself to depression and stress, which can contribute to memory loss. Staying socially active may help you stay cognitively sharp as the years pass.
Avoid smoking and limit alcohol. A healthy brain needs healthy arteries and veins. Avoiding tobacco use and limiting alcohol use is a great way to keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar in check.

In short, brain health awareness is critical for a life well lived. As a trusted client advocate, you can help your clients understand and implement these healthy tips or identify and address any concerning symptoms with a doctor right away.