World Brain Day: Why is Your Brain Health Important?

The Brain is truly the most fascinating organ of the body. One must recall seeing a model of a brain in the Biology Lab and wondering, “Is this one organ really what is responsible for all of our thoughts, feelings and emotions?”. It’s amazing how just one organ can form our consciousness and protect our body simultaneously. The brain comprises a million nerve cells forming an interconnecting weave of nerves that help coordinate the body’s functions.

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The brain is an organ that never stops working, from protecting our body from danger by sending signals, to helping our body communicate to function properly. Hence, it is extremely crucial to be aware of the ways one can protect their brain health. For this very reason, World Brain Day is celebrated every year on July 22nd with the intention of making people aware of various neurological disorders and how one can protect their brain from them. 

World Brain Day 2024

The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) is leading the initiative for World Brain Day with this year being the 11th year of celebration since its inception in 2013. This year, with the theme being Brain Health and Prevention, the focus is on raising awareness for various neurological conditions and the crucial aspects of brain health. World Brain Day is celebrated in collaboration with the WHO Brain Health Unit by hosting an annual awareness event for all. Protecting our brain health is crucial as it plays a very important role in our body. 

Why is Brain Health Important?

A healthy brain ensures that your mind stays sharp, active and thriving. It ensures good health and longevity in life. Maintaining your brain health is integral to nurturing your mental and cognitive functioning along with your emotional processes. As we age, it becomes a challenge as the threat of neurological disorders looms over. Hence, it is crucial to advocate for improved neurological care worldwide and heighten global awareness.

Over 30 million people in India suffer from various neurological disorders including Epilepsy, Stroke, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, Dementia and more. Notably, 90% of strokes, 40% of dementia cases, and 30% of epilepsies are preventable. Through early detection and effective management, preventive measures can be practiced for conditions like migraine, headache, and neurological infections. Raising awareness becomes extremely crucial to ensure that people learn to recognize early signs of such disorders and take relevant action as soon as possible.

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Types of Neurological Disorders

To protect one’s brain health, one must be aware of some neurological conditions and their effects such as:

1. Alzheimer’s Disease: It is a neurodegenerative disease affecting the memory function of the brain, caused by brain cells dying at a rapid rate. Early signs include impaired memory, confusion and inability to follow instructions. 

2. Epilepsy: It is a condition that causes unwarranted seizures due to an interruption in the connection between nerve cells. A person is diagnosed with epilepsy if they have two or more seizures.

3. Stroke: When brain is unable to receive blood or oxygen, it causes a stroke. A stroke affects the ability to speak, move, or even think. 

4. Parkinson’s Disease: This neurodegenerative disorder gradually strips away motor functions leading to tremors, inability to move and a lack of balance.

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These are just a few of the neurological conditions that can direly affect brain health. While most neurological disorders are hard to prevent or even detect, all we can do is stay aware and do everything possible to maintain our brain health.

Maintaining Brain Health

Although neurological disorders cannot be entirely avoided, studies show that adopting some healthy behaviours can reduce the risks of cognitive decline. Healthy lifestyle choices and managing chronic health conditions can also help keep your brain healthy. 

Here’s what one can do to maintain brain health:

1. Avoid smoking.

2. Maintain a healthy blood pressure level.

3. Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.

4. Get a healthy amount of sleep.

5. Stay engaged in your community.

These lifestyle changes will go a long way in helping your brain stay active and protect cognitive functions. Although, if one’s brain health starts deteriorating, there are a number of ways one can consider treatment.

Is There A Cure?

While most neurodegenerative disorders cannot be cured, rehabilitation can provide restoration of daily functioning and treatment of symptoms. Individualised treatment plans help patients achieve the highest quality of life. Whereas, conditions like a brain tumor, aneurysm or epilepsy can be treated with the help of brain surgery.

Brain surgery can be quite complicated. The brain is full of connecting nerves which control different functions of the body. Hence, a neurosurgeon has to be very careful while performing brain surgery. To remove a brain tumor or repair an aneurysm, craniotomy is performed in which part of the skull is removed to give the surgeon access to remove the tumor. While this procedure is quite risky, it can be life-saving.

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The average cost of brain surgery in India is extremely high, starting from INR 1.90.000 to 4,50,000, which can be difficult to afford. The cost can be even higher in the case of experimental surgeries like awake brain surgery, where the patient is conscious during the duration of the operation. In times like these, a concept known as crowdfunding can be a ray of hope.

Also Read: Joyshree Beats Brain Tumor With The Support Of ImpactGuru Donors!

How Crowdfunding Can Help

Crowdfunding has emerged as a hassle-free healthcare financing solution for people unable to afford life-saving treatment. Crowdfunding is defined as the practice of people donating small amounts of money to help raise funds for a good cause. Fundraising on online crowdfunding platforms like ImpactGuru has become one of the easiest ways to raise funds, offering a range of user-friendly features.

ImpactGuru, India’s leading crowdfunding platform, helps you raise funds for your loved ones. Expert assistance is offered in creating an effective fundraiser to raise funds faster. A quick verification process ensures a seamless fundraising journey. Especially in cases of emergency surgeries and complex treatments, ImpactGuru lends a helping hand towards making the process easier and smoother. Start a free fundraiser now to begin raising funds for your chosen cause! 

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Brain, being one of the most important organs of the human body, it is important to stay aware and take care of our brain health. So, this World Brain Day, let’s take a moment to appreciate and acknowledge the things made possible in our day to day lives, only with the help of our multi-tasking brain.