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Archive for Brain Health – Page 6

Seasonal Allergies: How to Control it

It’s that time of the year where the flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, the weather is cool and calm, and the seasonal allergies are in the air. Spring is an exciting time for everyone! You can finally dress warmer and go outside and enjoy the beauty of Spring. The downfall is, you begin to sneeze, your eyes get irritated and your nose is runny every day. Spring is great and all, until you become one of the people affected by the allergies that come with it!

As beautiful as Spring may be, it is difficult for some to transition into a new season. Some suffer terrible allergies which ultimately makes it difficult to enjoy the season at all. Depending where you live, the pollen in the air, the weather conditions and more can really affect your allergies. Your allergies can even turn into a cold. When you know allergy season is strong for you, it’s important to take precaution and prevent or treat your allergies correctly since they can affect your brain health.

Allergies can affect your brain health

Brain health can be affected by nearly anything. While some may take allergies lightly, it can cause “brain fog” which is a hazy and tired feeling that makes it difficult for people to concentrate. Allergies essentially affect your nose and sinuses which makes it difficult to think, function and perform properly. If you take the right steps to control your seasonal allergies, you will likely not have to experience brain fog. Should you experience more symptoms in your brain health this Spring, contact your Las Vegas Neurologist for more information.

Tips to control and treat your allergies

Staying indoors can help you when the amount of pollen in the air is high. Some don’t think pollen can influence you getting allergies, but it sure does. If you live in a place high in plants and blooming flowers everywhere, it might be best to spend a few days at home. Windy days can be common during Spring, it is particularly important to stay indoors if the pollen levels are high and the days is windier than usual. You will find your nose and eyes will get irritated the most, should you be outdoors during an extremely windy day. If you wear contacts, it is also best to keep your eyes protected and prevent irritation especially since your eyes can get dry with contacts in.

Take medicine even if you think that your allergy is minor. If you know that you easily get allergies, take medicine before you experience any symptoms. It is way better to prevent yourself from getting allergies than preventing it from getting worse. At that point, it is harder to treat it and it will be more difficult to get rid of. Take medicine and train your body to fight off the allergies as much as possible.

Dress warm even if you think Spring means warmer weather. Winter is over, but that doesn’t mean it’s safe to wear less. If you keep yourself warm during windy and overcast days, you are still making sure your health is being taken care of. Don’t assume that winter is completely over. There are still going to be days where it will be cold, and you should watch out for it!

Visit your Las Vegas Neurologist when your allergies worsen and affect your overall mental and physical health. Some don’t think that it’s worth it to see a doctor with allergies. But there are some medications that can help alleviate the symptoms you are experiencing. Don’t let allergies stop you from enjoying a brand new and fun season to be outside.

If you are cooped up inside in the Spring, are you really enjoying the season if you’re indoors? Allergies can be a nuisance but doesn’t have to be something you spend your entire season battling. Get your allergies under control and spend the rest of the season enjoying it outside!

Stress- How it can affect the Brain

Stress is one of the major health issues many Americans experience. Stress can largely affect a person’s brain in more ways than you would think. In short, stress is not entirely bad, but if it is not managed or controlled, one can have negative and harmful effects on the body and brain. Everyone feels stressed at times, but sometimes there are moments in our lives that take a huge toll and overwhelm us. This causes a lot of tension in our bodies.

Stress takes on many forms:

  • Pressure in demanding work
  • Arguments with a family member or loved one
  • Rocky home environments
  • Lack of time
  • Money issues
  • Stress is good in a way that helps you perform under intense circumstances and motivates you to learn to manage your time and work better altogether. It can improve your skills in the long run. If a high level of stress and feeling overwhelmed is ongoing every minute of each day, your body is not balanced and you could begin to have stronger signs of having chronic stress. Ultimately, it can have harmful effects altogether.

    Anyone struggling with coping and managing stress, or experiencing high levels of chronic stress, visit your Las Vegas neurologist for more information, diagnosis or treatments for what you are feeling.

    What happens to the brain when it’s stressed?


    Stress can cause the release of adrenaline which increases the amount of sugar in your blood. This leads to an increase in your heart rate and blood pressure. The brain’s hypothalamus sends signals to the pituitary gland telling it to release a stress hormone called cortisol. When your cortisol levels are too high and have been prolonged, it can affect the immune system overall resulting in decreasing the amount of brain cells.

    Overall changes to the body from prolonged stress:

  • Blood pressure rises
  • Can cause stroke
  • Memory impairment
  • Immune activity decrease
  • Sleep deprivation
  • Digestive system slows down
  • Things that can influence your stress levels:

    Your group of friends and family: Shaving a strong support system is important when feelings of stress rise. When you have people that can easily lift your spirits and lighten your mood after feeling overwhelmed, it is easier to wind down and balance your levels. A person that is alone and isolated can easily trigger the brain to feel emotional and physical stress.

    Your motto in life: The way you see your challenges can influence your manner in taking control over it. Being optimistic and positive can help you get through tougher obstacles. If you are vulnerable and sensitive, it is likely stress will control you. Living a life embracing challenges and making light of situations will make it easier for you when stressful situations arise.

    Learn how to deal with your own emotions: Sometimes all it takes to feel less stressed is for you to take a deep breath, recollect and calm yourself back down. You can increase your stress tolerance by being able to identify with your emotions and being able to control that part of yourself. Many people struggle with their emotions and can at times, let their emotions bring more stress.

    Getting enough rest: Sleep is important to keep the brain functioning properly and healthy. Chronic stress can affect your sleep, so it is important to normalize your sleeping patterns.

    Eating healthy: For your brain to stay healthy, it needs nutrients to keep it balanced, nourished and overall in control of your emotions and stresses. If your brain does not get the nutrients it needs, it is likely that your mood and ability to deal with stress mentally can be affected.

    Visit your Las Vegas neurologist to address concerns you may have regarding any negative affects on your brain that could be triggered from your stress.

    American Heart Month – Heart Health Awareness

    February is American Heart Month, a time for our Las Vegas neurologist to remind people to focus on their hearts and raise awareness about cardiovascular disease. It is the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. About 2,300 Americans die of cardiovascular disease every day, which averages to 1 death every 38 seconds. Globally, it remains the leading cause of death at more than 17.9 million deaths every year. With your help, our Las Vegas neurology clinic needs to change that!

    Risk Factors of Cardiovascular Disease

    A new study from Denmark has found that people who experience migraines may be more likely to develop heart problems. This is not the first study to suggest a link between migraines and the risk of stroke and heart attack. Although migraines are considered primarily a headache disorder, there are several reasons why migraines may be tied to cardiovascular problems. The sudden constriction of blood vessels in the brain that leads to migraines may make a person more vulnerable to stroke. If you suffer from migraines, it could be more serious than a headache. Contact our neurologist in Las Vegas during American Heart Month to see how we can help.

    Sleep disorders are common among stroke survivors. Those associated with stroke include sleep apnea, parasomnia, and restless leg syndrome. Conversely, people with sleep apnea are more likely to suffer strokes to die in their sleep. Sleep disorders should not be ignored. At our neurology clinic in Las Vegas, we can diagnose and treat your sleep disorders to improve your health even after American Heart Month.

    Cardiovascular Disease Prevention

    The good news? Heart disease is one of the most preventable causes of death. Our Las Vegas neurology practice encourages you to take charge of your health! Starting this American Heart Month, commit to a healthy lifestyle, and make these small changes for a lifetime of good heart health.

    • Make an appointment with your Las Vegas doctor to discuss your heart health. Even if you’re not sick, schedule regular check-ups. Set goals for improving your health, ask questions, and trust their advice.
    • Prepare heart-healthy meals from scratch at home at least 3 times each week. Watch your sodium! To make your favorite recipe lower sodium, replace the salt with fresh or dried herbs and spices.
    • If you are a smoker, quitting can reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease. Take steps to quit smoking. You can learn more at CDC’s Smoking and Tobacco Use website.
    • Get active! Add exercise to your daily routine little by little. Even walking will help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Start slow and increase your frequency and intensity over time.
    • Take your prescriptions as directed. Do not discount blood pressure and cholesterol medicines. Ask your doctor in Las Vegas for help if you’re having trouble taking your medication.

    Visit the Heart Health Foundation to learn more ways you can help this American Heart Month!

    Best Foods for Brain Health

    We have always known that what we eat affects our bodies. That means that everything we eat takes a toll on our brains. At our Las Vegas neurology clinic, we emphasize that brain foods matter! Do you know the top foods for brain health? Food rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals provide energy and aid in protecting against brain diseases. In addition, hormones from our stomach influence cognitive ability like understanding and processing new information. Being properly fed helps us stay focused on the task at hand and recognize when we’re full. When we focus on feeding our bodies whole, nutritious foods, we’re benefiting both our minds and bodies. Our Las Vegas neurologist Dr. Milford has compiled a list of foods for brain health that we should all have in our diets. Read on to learn 25 of the best foods for brain health!

    1. Avocados: rich in monounsaturated fats (the “good kind), folate, vitamin K, vitamin B, and vitamin C
    2. Freshly Brewed Tea: hot or iced, boasts memory and focus-enhancing caffeine as well as antioxidants
    3. Beets: high in antioxidants and natural nitrates
    4. Almonds: contain high concentrations of vitamin E (3 times more than peanut butter)
    5. Blueberries: packed with vitamin C, vitamin K, and fiber; the highest antioxidant-rich food known to man
    6. Tomatoes: top source of carotenoids and lycopene
    7. Bone Broth: high levels of collagen and healing amino acids
    8. Coconut Oil: concentrated with brain-fueling trigycerides
    9. Broccoli: loaded with vitamin K, choline, and vitamin C
    10. Hemp Seeds: provides all essential fatty acids, vitamin B, vitamin D, and vitamin E
    11. Coffee: contains high concentration of antioxidants and helpful caffeine
    12. Celery: dense with antioxidants and polysaccharides
    13. Pumpkin Seeds: excellent source of magnesium, iron, zinc, and copper
    14. Dark Chocolate (at least 70% cocoa): chock-full of anti-inflammatory flavonols
    15. Citrus fruits: full of powerful antioxidant vitamin C
    16. Egg yolks: contains large amounts of choline
    17. Berries: rich source of anthocyanins and other flavonoids
    18. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: loaded with powerful antioxidants known as polyphenols
    19. Green, Leafy Vegetables: full of inflammation-fighting vitamins A and K
    20. Salmon: packed with brain friendly omega-3 fatty acids
    21. Turmeric: high in powerful anti-inflammatory agent curcumin
    22. Walnuts: high levels of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals
    23. Whole Grains: dense with fiber as well as vitamin E and omega-3s
    24. Beans: provides steady stream of glucose to feed the brain
    25. Pomegranate Juice: offers potent antioxidant benefits