If you hit your head and get a tender bump, bruise, or small cut without any other symptoms, you can just do first aid with some ice, a band-aid, and maybe some over-the-counter pain reliever. If you have a concussion, that is a more serious injury. According to the American … Read More
COVID-19 is a new version of an old virus called coronavirus. Most of the effects of COVID have been on people's lungs, but there have also been effects on the brain and nerves (neurological effects). For now, doctors and researchers have been busy creating a vaccine and finding the best … Read More
Have you ever been jerked out of sleep by a sudden twitch or uncontrolled muscle movement, or noticed jerks and twitches in your sleep partner? You are not alone, since these movements during sleep occur in up to 70 percent of people. They are commonly called sleep starts or hypnic … Read More
I am someone who requires a lot of sleep to get by. With a history of migraine headaches and chronic fatigue syndrome, getting regular sleep – and lots of it – is important to me and helps me feel better. I have many friends, however, who can get by on … Read More
The human brain is a truly remarkable and highly complex organ. Neurons are the brain cells that carry messages throughout the brain, nervous system, and body. It’s estimated that healthy adults have around 100 billion neurons, each connecting to 10,000 other neurons—an impressive network indeed! Brain atrophy "is a common … Read More
It’s no surprise that fruits and vegetables play a dominant role in brain-healthy patterns of eating, just as they do in healthy diets for your body as a whole. But it may be that eating fruits and vegetables helps protect your brain beyond general health benefits. Specific types of produce … Read More
Has a friend ever bragged about how refreshed he feels after just four or five hours of sleep the night before? Do you know a child who resists going to bed at a reasonable hour because she “doesn’t feel tired?” Do you find yourself on an inconsistent schedule when it … Read More
Moderate drinking (one or two glasses a day) shouldn’t affect your cognitive function and may even provide some mild benefits. But chronic alcohol abuse can lead to alcohol-induced dementia due to the combined toxic effects of alcohol and the nutritional deficiencies often associated with alcoholism. In fact, heavy drinking (more … Read More
Do you work the graveyard shift? A lack of sleep, working under bright fluorescent lights, and eating a large meal on your break in the middle of the night can all harm your health. Even if you don't work a night shift, you may find yourself in a routine that … Read More
Vascular dementia (VaD) ranks second among memory loss causes after Alzheimer’s disease, yet it is often overlooked. But what is vascular dementia? The condition is caused by vascular problems affecting memory regions and supporting structures in the brain, and is closely associated with cardiovascular disease and cerebrovascular disease. Causes of … Read More
