The importance of brain health, as well as our mental and physical health, is becoming more and more clear every day. According to experts who state that one of the most important elements of healthy aging is healthy aging of the brain, brain check-up is as important as general check-up. Experts emphasize that brain check-ups should be done every year over the age of 50.
July 22 is recognized as World Brain Day by the World Federation of Neurology. On this special day, it is aimed to draw attention to brain health and raise awareness.
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ, Head of the Department of Neurology at Üsküdar University Faculty of Medicine and Neurology Specialist at NPISTANBUL Hospital, pointed out the importance of healthy aging in terms of brain health.
Why is brain health important?
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ stated that brain health is important in order to live with our identity and self, to maintain functions such as memory, communication, emotions and skills in a healthy and independent manner, "Because these functions are functions that are put forward by the brain."
Brain check up should be done over 50 years of age
Stating that early diagnosis is important in brain health, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ said, "We know that we need to have regular check-ups to ensure the health of our heart and other internal organs. However, such a concept has not yet been established for brain health. Research says that we should have this check-up every year over the average age of 50. Brain check up consists of MRI, Brain Mapping, Mind Tests and Depression questioning on top of general blood and urine tests."
Why should we have a brain check-up?
Stating that brain check-up is important for early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ said, "Alzheimer's disease, which starts insidiously and causes serious memory loss, can be understood when it gives early symptoms with brain check-up. Treatment is started at an early stage."
Also used in forgetfulness
Stating that forgetfulness, which is seen in everyone from time to time, can worsen in some cases and cause permanent problems, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ said, "In case of early diagnosis with a brain check-up, special mental development and rehabilitation programs can be applied to patients. Thanks to early diagnosis, attention and concentration can be increased with timely treatment. Learning and comprehension ability is improved. Memory is strengthened. Medication can also be recommended if necessary."
Stating that a brain check-up is recommended not only for people over a certain age, but also for those with forgetfulness and distraction in managers and students, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ said, "Cell renewal and drugs that regulate the stress secretions of the brain are recommended. In addition, brain exercises are performed with a computer to increase attention, memory, logical thinking, learning, retention and recall skills."
Depression cases can be intervened
Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ stated that brain check up is also used in cases of depression and said, "It is now known that depression is a biological disease. There is a connection between the failure of some biochemical areas in the brain to function well and depression. It is checked whether there are irregular, non-functioning areas in the brain. This is especially used in patients with treatment-resistant depression (30 percent of depressed people). In other words, in addition to psychological and social follow-up of depression, its biological dimension can also be monitored."
Stress level in the brain can be measured
Pointing out that stress can also be determined with the brain check-up method, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ said, "The level of stress hormones in the brain is checked. If stress is detected, which upsets the entire balance of people, the person is taught to cope with tension-relieving, body and mind relaxing exercises using their own mental power." Tanrıdağ said that with the brain check-up, the effects of the drugs used for the human brain can be determined with the same method and the bioavailability of the drug is measured.
Pay attention to these recommendations for brain health
Stating that it is important to pay attention to general health in order to protect brain health, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ advised, "It is necessary to exercise regularly, stay away from intense tension, take up hobbies, read and learn new things."
They threaten brain health!
Referring to the factors that threaten brain health, Prof. Dr. Oğuz Tanrıdağ said, "Hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, chronic alcohol use, depression, living in a limited and narrow environment are among the factors that threaten brain health."
