03/03/2024
Lecture 1 - Brain Disorders and Brain Health
Dr. Rahul Kulkarni – 10th Feb, 2024
Alz Support Group and Neurology Department of Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital have started an initiative to create awareness about Brain Health. Dr. Rahul Kulkarni, Head of the department has taken keen interest and is involved in the lecture series. The first topic was - Brain Disorders and Brain Health.
Providing some interesting facts about the brain, Dr. Kulkarni explained that though brain is only two percent of the body mass, it consumes twenty percent of the energy as brain keeps working day and night. He further explained that brain matures at about twenty five years and aging process starts after that. Damage to the brain cannot be reversed. The only way to keep the brain healthy is to look after its health and to keep it active by continuously doing new things ensuring fitness of neural pathways. Information about the disorders Dr. Kulkarni talked about is as below.
1. Stroke -paralysis–Stroke causes damage to the brain because of interruption in blood supply to the brain. Symptoms appear suddenly. They include trouble speaking or understanding what people are saying, numbness or weakness in face, arm or leg, trouble walking etc. Because the blood supply is affected there can be brain damage and other complications. Dr. Kulkarni advised that when stroke symptoms are visible it is important to take the patient immediately to a hospital which has an ICU, CT scan facility and where neurologist is present. Time is of essence here. The earlier the patient is treated the greater the chance of saving the brain. Good medicines are available to treat this ailment. The medicines must be taken life-long. Physiotherapy helps in most cases.
Steps for Prevention of stroke include – keeping diabetes, bp, cholesterol in control NO smoking, NO alcohol, managing stress, exercising for at least 30-40 mins every day, eating healthy food, and following your doctor’s advice.
2. Epilepsy-It is a disorder which is characterised by repeated seizures. There is loss of consciousness. It happens to one in 100 people. It is the most tabooed disorder hence almost 75% patients do not take treatment.
When seizure occurs, electrical activity in the brain increases about a thousand times. First aid includes turning the patient to one side, removing harmful objects in the vicinity. Dr. Kulkarni advised against using onion or chappal to help regain consciousness and using spoon to open patient’s mouth or to do anything to stop the hand movements. Applying anyone of the measures can lead to injury. Medicines help to manage and control the symptoms and patient can lead a normal life in this case.
3. Dementia- Forgetting is normal with advanced age. But when it affects daily functioning of a person it should be a cause of concern. And this could be dementia, a progressive illness which affects not only memory but other cognitive functions like orientation, perception, judgement. A change in personality or way of expressing emotions also can vary.
Dr. Kulkarni emphasized the importance of keeping the brain active. Trying new things, socialising is quite important so that the brain maintains its functioning. Cognitive activities also help. He strongly suggested not retiring the brain. Controlling BP, diabetes, exercising, eating healthy diet and sleeping well are the measures one can take to maintain brain’s health.
4. Headache/Migraine – it is very common to have a headache. The reasons can be many. Over the counter medicines do not always work. If one has persistent headaches then doctor consultation is essential.
5. Parkinsons – It is a disorder that affects the movement and often includes tremors due to nerve cell damage in the brain which causes dopamine levels to drop. Elderly people are mostly affected by it. Common symptom include freezing. It is a progressive illness and there is no cure. However, the symptoms can be managed and controlled with medicines.
6. Vertigo– Vertigo is a sensation of feeling off balance. A person experiencing vertigo may feel that the world around him/her is spinning. It is often caused by inner ear problems. Medicines can help this condition and normal life can go on if patients can convince themselves about it and fight the fear of falls and losing balance
Dr. Rahul Kulkarni urged people to know their illness well and take medicines regularly. A very interesting question and answer session followed the talk.
