Understanding Brain Health

Scientific study of the nervous system.

Introduction to Brain Health

Brain health refers to the ability to remember, learn, plan, concentrate, and maintain a clear, active mind. It's being able to draw on the strengths of your brain—information management, logic, judgement, perspective, and wisdom. Simply, brain health is all about making the most of your brain and helping reduce some risks to it as you age.

Brain Anatomy and Function

The human brain is an intricate organ. At approximately 3 pounds, it contains about 100 billion neurons and 100 trillion connections. Your brain is command central of all you think, feel, and do.

Your brain is divided into sections. Each section is responsible for different functions. For example, the frontal lobes control personality, decision-making, and reasoning, while the temporal lobes control, memory, speech, and sense of smell.

Common Brain Health Issues

As we age, our brain's volume gradually shrinks. When this occurs, some of the nerve cells in your brain can shrink or lose connections with other nerve cells. Blood flow within your brain slows somewhat in old age, as well. These age-related changes are thought to be behind the slightly slower cognitive processing that comes with aging.

However, many brain health issues and diseases come from a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Common brain health issues include cognitive decline, Alzheimer's, and dementia. While some factors are out of our control, there are many steps we can take to prevent these issues, such as maintaining a healthy lifestyle, staying physically and socially active, and engaging in regular cognitive training.

The Brain-Body Connection

The brain and body are interconnected. Many physical health conditions can increase the risk of mental health issues. For example, the risk of depression is higher in people with chronic illnesses such as heart disease or diabetes. On the other hand, poor mental health can negatively impact physical health, leading to an increased risk of some conditions.

Physical health and mental health are essential components of overall health. This association between physical and mental health is quite complex, but what is known is that poor physical health can lead to an increased risk of developing mental health problems. Similarly, poor mental health can negatively impact physical health, leading to an increased risk of certain conditions.

In conclusion, understanding brain health and its importance is the first step towards maintaining it. In the next unit, we will explore various techniques to improve mental acuity and promote brain health.