The European Brain Day is an important initiative of the European DANA Alliance. It has long promoted awareness of brain diseases and the importance of scientific research to better understand how the brain works and how it develops. Brain research brings together a number of scientific disciplines, such as neurology, neuroscience and psychology, to study the structure of the brain, its functions and its impact on human behaviour.
"Thanks to the continuous progress in research, we can better understand brain processes and thus contribute not only to more effective treatment, but also to the prevention of many diseases," explainsStanislava Adámková, MD, Head of the Department of Neurology .
The brain as the control centre of the body
The brain is a key organ of the human body and controls most of its functions. At the same time, however, it is susceptible to a number of diseases that can fundamentally affect the quality of life. These include degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, strokes, as well as infectious diseases and cancer.
"Diseases of the brain can affect our mood, thinking, memory, movement and other important functions. Symptoms vary according to the type and severity of the disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are therefore essential to minimise the impact of the disease on the patient's life," says the head of the Neurology Department.
Specialised care plays a very important role in the treatment of stroke. Hořovice Hospital has the status of an Ict Centre, which focuses on rapid diagnosis and comprehensive treatment of patients with acute stroke in order to minimise its consequences. Patient care is always team-based and multidisciplinary - it involves not only neurologists, but also radiologists, internists, intensivists, specialist nurses, paramedics and other specialists who must be available 24/7. Physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and clinical psychologists are also involved in follow-up care. It is the speed and interplay of the whole team that is crucial to the patient's future prognosis.
How Czechs care for brain health
According to experts, people's approach to brain health has been gradually improving in recent decades. Yet there are still areas where we as a society have reserves.
"Thanks to greater awareness, people's thinking has turned in a positive direction in the last 20 to 30 years. However, we still see the biggest reserves in poor lifestyles - especially sedentary jobs, poor eating habits and lack of physical activity. Unfortunately, this unfortunately increasingly affects children," warns MUDr. Adámková.
Basic rules for a healthy brain
Although there is no guaranteed way to completely avoid brain diseases, experts say the risk of developing them can be significantly reduced.
The key is a healthy lifestyle. This includes a balanced diet rich in fruit, vegetables and whole grains, regular exercise and plenty of quality sleep. The ideal is to engage in at least 30 minutes a day of physical activity, which improves blood flow to the brain, promotes the formation of new brain cells and helps protect against cognitive decline.
"It is also very important to keep the mind active, for example by learning new things, reading, doing crosswords or social activities. Of course, smoking, excessive drinking and drugs that have a toxic effect on the brain should be avoided," adds Dr Adámková.
European Brain Day is an annual reminder that taking care of this key organ should be a natural part of our daily lives. Prevention, a healthy lifestyle and early professional care can make a significant contribution to keeping our brains healthy for as long as possible.
