How to take care of brain health, according to the IMSS

Taking care of your health is essential to maintaining well-being, and that certainly includes your brain.

Daily habits such as a balanced diet based on boiled preparations, vegetable intake, at least two liters of water a day, 30 minutes of physical exercise, restful sleep and socializing, contribute to taking care of brain health and preventing the onset of diseases. , said Dr. Alejandra Calderón Vallejo, head of the Neurology Department at the Specialty Hospital of the National Medical Center (CMN) Siglo XXI, of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS).

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The specialist pointed out that Eight out of 10 neurological problems can be prevented with self-care measures and avoiding the abuse of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, as well as continuous stress, overstimulation with cell phones and screens, excessive consumption of fats and sugars .

He stressed that proper brain health requires maintaining all the functions of this organ . "It requires us to dedicate time, attention, and care to it, Neurological diseases are up to 80 percent preventable and they are a cause of disability that is affecting our population.”

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Dr. Calderón Vallejo reported that Among the brain-related diseases that occur most frequently in Mexico are cerebrovascular disease, epilepsy, degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and dementia, migraines, headaches, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, and infantile cerebral palsy. .

He emphasized the importance of early detection of any alterations in brain function and the multidisciplinary Social Security team's ability to address them. "There are several red flags or warning signs: it's not normal for an older adult to have a memory problem; there's no such thing as normal "old man" dementia . If an older adult has memory problems, no longer remembers, or doesn't recognize family members, they should be taken to a consultation."

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"If they have trouble speaking, difficulty moving, their mouth is slanted, or they don't understand well, it's a red flag, and they should be taken to the emergency room. Abnormal movements are a red flag. If a child has learning difficulties, difficulty understanding things. When a person has a different kind of headache, and says it's the worst pain they've ever had, they should be taken to seek medical attention," he said.

The specialist highlighted the importance of IMSS programs like Código Cerebro to ensure timely care and called for people to use this day as a starting point to improve habits that strengthen brain function.

With information from the IMSS

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