July 22 — World Brain Health Day. In this regard, the doctor of the neurosurgical department of the National Hospital Abzal Zhumabekov offers 8 important tips for maintaining brain health.
Monitor your blood pressure.
Many people stop measuring their blood pressure if they feel good. However, hypertension is often asymptomatic, and gradually damages the blood vessels of the brain and the entire body. Therefore, take your blood pressure regularly and do not interrupt the treatment prescribed by your doctor. This is one of the most effective ways to prevent stroke.
Move more.
One of the most useful habits for the brain is regular physical activity. Even a daily walk lasting 30 to 40 minutes improves blood circulation and contributes to a better supply of oxygen to the brain. It is not necessary to play sports professionally. The main thing is to make movement a permanent part of your life.
Get a good night's sleep.
During sleep, the brain rests, processes the information accumulated during the day, and recovers. An adult needs 7-9 hours of quality sleep a day.
Stop smoking.
Smoking causes damage not only to the lungs, but also to the blood vessels of the brain, repeatedly increasing the risk of stroke. Quitting tobacco is one of the best solutions for your brain health.
Train your brain.
The brain, like the muscles, needs training. The more often you train it, the better it works. Reading books, learning foreign languages, playing chess, learning a new profession, or just getting new knowledge every day-all of this is good for the brain.
Maintain social activity.
Socializing with people is also important for brain health. Meet up with friends, don't isolate yourself from society. Scientists have shown that socially active people have much less memory loss.
Remember the signs of a stroke.
Remember the FAST rule:
F (Face) — the face is skewed;
A (Arm) — weakness in the arm or leg;
S (Speech) — slurred or difficult speech;
T (Time) — do not waste time, call 103.
With a stroke, approximately 1.9 million neurons die every minute, so the most valuable thing in this situation is time.
Take care of your health.
