BTN News: World Brain Day happens every year on July 22. It helps people learn about brain disorders. Many people all over the world have these problems. The World Federation of Neurology (WFN) organizes this event. Each year, they choose a new topic. The topic in 2024 is “Brain Health and Prevention.” This means taking care of our brains before problems start.
The Brain is Important for All Human Activities
The brain is small but very important. It uses a lot of energy and oxygen. The brain helps us think, read, and feel. It also controls our body. It makes us aware of the world around us. If the brain has problems, it affects our whole life. For example, if we can’t hear or speak well, it can change how we live.
Brain Health Has Often Been Ignored
People often forget how important the brain is. This is true in mental health too. Some methods do not think about the brain’s role in our thoughts and feelings. The WFN started in 1957. In 2014, they created World Brain Day. They wanted to teach people about brain health and brain diseases.
The Brain is Complex and Amazing
The brain has over 100 billion nerve cells. These cells send messages very quickly. The brain controls many things like body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing. It also processes what we see, hear, taste, touch, and smell. The brain helps us move too. It lets us walk, run, write, and dress.
Keeping the Brain Healthy is Very Important
It is important to keep our brains healthy. This helps us live a good life. We need to be aware of brain health before problems start. Professor Wolfgang Grisold is the WFN President. He says we need to stop brain diseases before they happen. Brain problems cause 13% of diseases worldwide. This affects many people.
Neurological Diseases Affect Many People Worldwide
In 2021, a report showed that over 3.4 billion people have brain health problems. This led to 11.1 million deaths. There are no cures for many brain diseases. But we can reduce the risks. We know more about strokes, Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, encephalitis, meningitis, and intellectual disabilities now. This helps in preventing these diseases.
Environmental and Lifestyle Factors Impact Brain Health
Things like air quality and exposure to harmful substances affect our brains. Drugs, tobacco, and alcohol are harmful. Good health can prevent brain diseases. Diet, exercise, and stress control help too. Preventing diseases costs less than treating them. This is true for brain diseases especially.
Five Key Points for World Brain Day 2024
The WFN’s 2024 plan has five main ideas:
- We can prevent brain diseases with early care.
- Everyone should learn about brain health.
- Money and location should not stop people from getting care.
- Health workers and policymakers are important for brain health.
- Brain health is a basic human right.
Simple Steps to Keep Our Brains Healthy
Here are some easy ways to keep your brain healthy:
- Healthy Diet: Eat fruits, vegetables, and fish. These help the brain work well.
- Cognitive Activities: Play memory games and do puzzles to keep the brain active.
- Physical Exercise: Exercise regularly to help your brain.
- Cardiovascular Health: Check your blood pressure and sugar. Avoid drugs and tobacco.
- Stress Management: Control stress and anxiety.
- Social Interaction: Stay close to family and friends. Join social activities for good mental health.
- Seek Professional Help: Go to a doctor if you have brain-related concerns.
Conclusion
World Brain Day 2024 focuses on brain health and prevention. By learning and taking care of our brains, we can have a better future. The brain is very important. Keeping it healthy improves our life quality.
