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Tips for Training Your Brain

By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
Wednesday, October 10th, 2018

The brain is the most powerful component of the body because it allows it to function. The brain is responsible for how you think, feel, and act within your surroundings. It controls everything that you do even when you’re asleep. Damage to any particular part of the brain could cause a neurological condition and change the way you think and act. If you have a neurological condition or experience symptoms of one, it is best to see a Las Vegas neurologist. On October 13th, it is National Train Your Brain Day. It is a day to help acknowledge brain function and celebrate your brain power.

Celebrating National Train Your Brain Day

Dedicate the day to establish goals and start building your brain power. Improve your cognitive function and avoid the feeling of brain fog. Train your brain to exceed its potential. While the brain is not a muscle, you can still contribute to its efficiency by putting in a little bit of work every single day. Your brain continues to evolve even as you age and doing the right activities can help you get your brain into better shape. Here are some tips for training your brain:

Tip #1: Exercise

Exercise helps boost your brain power and clear up your thinking. Research shows that regular physical exercise helps improve memory recall, concentration, attention t detail, and even problem solving. A great way to get in your exercise is to take a walk around your neighborhood or go for a swim. Taking a workout class at your local recreational center or gym might also be a fun way to meet new people and learn some names while you get some cardio. The right activity will help you think, process, and learn while you exercise.

Tip #2: Learn A New Instrument

Music has a great impact on sensory processes, but science also shows that musical training can change brain function and structure. It improves long-term memory and better brain development. People who know how to play music are more tactile and have better reaction times. Learning a new instrument integrates visual, auditory, and physical senses. It requires the use of fine motor skills and strengthens reading skills. Pick up that old guitar and start learning some chords. It will make you happy, reduce your anxiety and strengthen your brain’s ability to process and retain information.

Tip #3: Eat Brain Food

The right diet will fuel your brain to function at its best. Rich fatty acids help neurons in your brain. It is also important to hydrate because your brain is nearly 80% water. When your brain isn’t properly hydrated, it will take significantly more time to complete a task than when you have had enough water.

Tip #4: Try Photography

Photography is not just a creative activity, it also has a technical aspect that can be mentally-challenging. Evidence shows that mentally-challenging hobbies or activities can actually help change brain function and restore youth-like levels of brain activity. It’s time to tinker with a digital camera and try processing images on a photo-editing software. These activities require logical reasoning and abstract thinking. It will challenge you to tackle the unfamiliar. Research shows that difficult activities help improve memory more than passive activities.

Tip #5: Practice Memorization

Whether it’s a song, a quote, or a new vocabulary word, it’s important to acknowledge the part of your brain that controls your memory. Remember that your brain requires maintenance and part of that is processing and retaining new information. With recent technological advancements, we come across a lot of information in our day-to-day lives. It is important to sit down and try to memorize useful tidbits that help us maintain our brain function. Start with a new line from a song every morning, and quiz yourself at the end of the day to see how well you remember it.

Consistency is Key

Practice doesn’t just make perfect; practice makes it permanent. Being consistent with these activities is how you boost your brain power. Doing it for one day will not help train your brain. It is important to use this day to set new goals for yourself to keep your mind and brain as active as possible. Keep to your commitment and make it a priority to continue learning even as you grow older. Give your brain the chance to develop and change to help it function at its optimal performance. If you still feel like your brain health is not at it’s best, it may be best to consult a Las Vegas neurologist. Seeing a neurologist in Las Vegas will help you treat symptoms you may be experiencing due to poor brain health.

Receive a blend of neurology, psychology, pain management, orthopedics and physical therapy at Silver State Neurology in Las Vegas. Dr. Christopher Milford and the staff at Silver State Neurology are focused on being the best medical support team for every patient. They offer state of the art neurological care in Las Vegas. Celebrate National Train Your Brain Day and increase your brain power.

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Categories : Blog, Brain Health, brain stress, Health Tips, las vegas neurologist, Las Vegas neurology clinic, Silver State Neurology, Uncategorized
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The Best Ways to Relieve Headache Pain

By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
Friday, September 28th, 2018

There’s never a warning. It just happens. Your head starts pounding, and it’s debilitating. You have difficulty performing your daily activities, because it becomes too challenging to function at your best. While you may look the same on the outside, suffering from headache pain is never an easy feat. Today, it is a common occurrence in adults, affecting a third of men and over half of women. Headaches are caused by a number of reasons—stress, dehydration, neurological conditions, blood clots, and more. While causes of headaches can sometimes be unknown, they can also be a symptom of a more serious condition. If you’re concerned about your headaches, it is ideal to see a neurologist. The best neurologists are devoted to the field of neurology and have a lot of experience in practice. If your headaches are not as severe or you’re simply waiting to seek relief before your next appointment, these helpful tips may be relevant to you:

• Hydration

A lot of people don’t realize that headaches are a common side effect of dehydration. If you think about it, your brain is made up of nearly 80% water. It’s no wonder why it can become difficult to concentrate when you haven’t had enough water. Studies have revealed that headache pain can be reduced in dehydrated individuals within 30 minutes to three hours after proper hydration. Foods that are rich in water can also help you stay hydrated: spinach, watermelon, strawberries, soups, and yogurt. When your brain doesn’t have the nutrients it needs to function, it will be difficult for you yourself to function.

• Aromatherapy

Essential oils and specific scents have been used as natural remedies for centuries. Some well-known oils and scents for relieving headaches include lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. You can get an essential oil diffuser for your cubicle, use a room freshening spray at home, or apply essential oils on your wrists and temples throughout the day to help relieve headache pain.

• Rest

Sleep deprivation can be very damaging to your health, so, it’s important to follow a regular sleep schedule and get an adequate amount of rest every single night. When you’re feeling headache pain, take a moment to lie down and minimize the noise around you. Close your eyes in a dark and quiet room, and give yourself a second to zone out. A lot of your days may be hectic, so it’s crucial to find a moment to catch your breath. Try to relax and loosen up different areas of your body. Spend a few minutes resting or take a power nap. These simple remedies can help prevent your headache pain from getting progressively worse.

• Proper diet

Every doctor will suggest you to watch what you are eating and drinking. It is best to limit consuming foods and products that trigger headaches such as caffeine and alcohol. It is also crucial to eat regularly and never skip meals. Some people who suffer from headaches experience them because of low blood sugar levels which can occur through skipping meals or not eating enough food throughout the day. The best way to combat this is to ensure you eat several meals a day and incorporate a good amount of fruits and vegetables.

• Breathing exercises

Breathing deeply allows the body to calm the mind. By inhaling and exhaling slowly and repeatedly, you allow the muscles in your body to relax. You focus on that one task which can help detract from other stressors that may be causing your headache in the first place. Mindful meditation is a great way to relieve physical pain. It promotes the thickening of cell layers within the brain and is actually one of the most effective remedies for various types of headaches.

• Reduce stress

Try your best to take a step away from what is causing you stress. If your work environment is too stressful, see if you can leave early or enjoy lunch outside of the office. If your home environment is too stressful, ask your family members to help you around the house or take on some of your responsibilities. The more stress you experience in your daily life, the more headaches are likely to occur. Take a break from life’s stressful situations and adapt relaxing hobbies such as gardening, yoga, crafts, or reading. Worry less and reduce your physical tension.

Even with these helpful pain-relieving tips, it is also important to report your symptoms to your doctor. Headaches can be a sign of illness, allergies, hormonal imbalance, or neurological conditions; home remedies may only temporarily relieve your headache pain. Get the right treatment for your headaches by seeing a neurologist at Silver State Neurology which specializes in treating, diagnosing, and managing disorders of the brain and the nervous system. Silver State Neurology has a great staff full of hardworking individuals that strive to diagnose and treat your condition to the best of their abilities.

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Categories : Blog, Brain Health, Headaches, Health Tips, Las Vegas neurology clinic, Silver State Neurology
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6 Ways to Improve Brain Function

By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
Wednesday, August 22nd, 2018

Brain development isn’t static and it doesn’t stop when people enter adulthood. You can sharpen your focus, improve your ability to retain information, and train the mind to perform better with some patience and planning. Just like training the body, improving brain function requires effort but it can be done. Most modern professions require intensive mental focus for long stretches of time. Excessive work in such conditions can tax the brain and diminish its function, leading to a burnout.

By improving brain function and focusing effectively, it is possible to maintain a healthy mental balance without experiencing too much fatigue. It is also possible to improve brain function over time so you can handle more loads and become more efficient. Here are some ways to improve overall brain function in everyday life:

1. Become Physically Active

Many people assume there’s no connection between physical activity and brain capacity, but that’s not true. Physically active people have better focus, are more productive, and less likely to experience chemical imbalances in the brain. You can take a 45 to 60-minute walk in outdoor spaces every day and you’ll experience a significant boost in brain function over time.

While walking in green outdoor locations and soaking up the sun will help brain function, an aerobic workout provides better benefits. Full-body aerobic exercises with controlled weight-training seem to have a much bigger impact on overall brain function. This serves a dual purpose as your body is fit too.

2. Manage Stress

The human brain isn’t designed to handle excessive amounts of stress on an everyday basis. It can have a negative impact on both your physical and mental health. People who experience excessive stress or burnout find that their brain capacity has diminished as well. They can’t focus clearly, have difficulty retaining information, and lack creativity.

This is because excessive stress triggers the release of cortisol in the brain. That leads to loss of bone mass, muscle mass, and brain mass. One of the best ways to boost mental capacity is to manage stress well. Recognize your limits and set reasonable boundaries. Do things that break the routine and stimulate the mind, which leads to forming new connections.

3. Don’t Consume Brain Toxins

People consume a large number of things that are harmful to the brain and can compromise its function. If these harmful items are a part of your everyday routine, the brain will be damaged severely. It’s a good idea to eliminate tobacco of any kind from your life. Processed meats have nitrosamines, which can be toxic to the brain; fresh meat sourced from local butchers are always a better alternative. Excessive alcohol consumption will have an impact on the brain’s chemistry so it’s a good idea to restrict alcohol consumption.

Food with excessive amounts of mercury and pesticides can impair brain function; eliminate that from your regular diet as well. All of these actions will eventually add up to better brain function. Sometimes lifestyle changes can make the biggest difference in improving brain function.

4. Eat Brain Enhancing Food Items

Some food items and nutrients have a positive impact on the brain. Certain diets like the Mediterranean diet have proven to protect brain function and stall degeneration. Followers of this diet retained more brain volume than non-followers over the course of three years of the study. This study saw improved brain function and slower brain decline in older people.

The Mediterranean diet is rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, seeds, olive oils, and whole grains. People that follow this diet only consume moderate amounts of red meat, dairy, and fish, and some red wine to complement their food. It’s why this diet is so effective and similar diets have a positive impact on brain function. Studies indicate regular nut consumption strengthens brain waves. It promotes healing; improves cognitive ability, memory, and other vital brain functions.

5. Expand Cognitive Abilities Through Training

The brain can be trained to improve function, regardless of your age. Some people believe that humans lose their ability to improve brain function as they grow older, but studies have shown that’s not true. For example, studies show that adults develop the same amount of new connections as children do when they learn a new language.

Expanding brain function requires some dedication and time. You need to invest in learning and mastering new things, exploring new places, and interacting with new people. All of these actions stimulate the brain and improve function. Your mind develops new connections to handle these tasks. Once the connections are developed, they continue to improve brain function and productivity over the long term.

6. Learn a Musical Instrument

Learning a musical instrument is just as challenging as learning a new language, if not more so. In order to learn music, you need to train your ear, develop physical dexterity or lung capacity. When people take up a musical instrument, they learn many different skills simultaneously and that challenges the brain. Every new song or tune is different, so every time a novice musician expands their vocabulary, the mind is challenged.

Research suggests learning musical instruments can reduce or slow down age-related mental decline significantly. Musicians are also more focused, better able to multitask, and are more productive. Music helps improve your hearing and listening skills. It also helps increase structural connectivity between different areas of the brain that process sound and control movement. Music also helps heal the brain, which rewires itself to bypass injured or degenerated areas to perform the new task.

Even adding two or three of these tasks to your weekly routine can help develop brain function and improve your overall mental health.

If your brain is functioning at a diminished capacity, despite getting proper rest, exercise, and nutrition, it’s time to consult a professional at Silver State Neurology. An experienced neurologist in Las Vegas will carefully examine you to determine the root cause. Sometimes lack of focus and diminished brain function is because of neurological degeneration. This requires medical assistance and careful guidance.

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Categories : Blog, Brain Food, Brain Health, brain stress, Headaches, Health Tips, las vegas neurologist, Las Vegas neurology clinic, Migraines, Silver State Neurology, Sleep Apnea, Sleep Disorders, stress, stress relief, stroke
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Tips for De-Stressing After a Long Week

By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
Thursday, July 5th, 2018

The unfortunate fact is, we rarely stop to think what fast-paced lifestyles, sedentary jobs, unhealthy or erratic dietary habits, and lack of exercise does to our health and overall well-being. Our bodies have an inbuilt system for speed and stress; however, they also have a powerful hard-wired system for quiet and relaxation. Using the right system at the right time can help us move through life efficiently and faster, yet without burning out our physical bodies.

No matter which way you look at it, the modern world is designed to increase stress levels. Wherever you look, you see people suffering from lifestyle-related diseases such as anxiety, depression, chronic migraine headaches, indigestion, obesity as well as more complex health problems such as diabetes, heart conditions and more. While every person has their own ways of coping with stress, research indicates that most of these aren’t effective.

There’s a lot of stress-related research undertaken by neurology experts, which indicates that the most commonly used stress-busting strategies are also reported to be highly ineffective by the very same people that use them.

For instance, only a meager 15% of individuals that eat certain foods to reduce stress, report that they are actually effective. Many people gorge on chocolate when they feel depressed or anxious; most of these people will also tell you that eventually, the only reliable change they experience in their mood by consuming their food of choice is an increased level of guilt.

Effective Tips For De-Stressing

We at Silver State Neurology firmly believe that keeping stress at bay requires a combination of techniques. Here are a few tips for de-stressing after a long work week:

1. Clench Your Facial Muscles Tightly And Then Relax Them

The connection between your body and brain is always a two-way street, which includes a distinctive feedback loop. This means if you are unable to get your brain to direct your body to calm down, you can use your body to calm your brain down. When your brain gets stressed, your muscles will tighten up.

Tense muscles relay a signal back to your brain telling it that you’re stressed. This makes it crucial to breaking the loop. You can do this by clenching your facial muscles and then relaxing them. This helps your body send a signal to your brain telling it that you aren’t stressed anymore and that your brain should de-stress too. Some of the most important muscles you should relax are the facial muscles because these have the most effect on emotion. However, relaxing your abdomen, butt and hands are equally important too.

2. Slow, Deep Breathing Techniques

This is one of the simplest and most effective tips for de-stressing that you can do at any time and anyplace. You don’t need a specific setting or time to do some slow, deep breathing exercises. The vagus nerve in the human body is one of its primary emotional highways. It constantly sends signals up to your brain and to your heart and plays a vital role in regulating the body’s fight-or-flight system. Direct stimulation of the vagus nerve is a great way to fix these issues.

The manner in which you breathe can impact the way your vagus nerve functions. As a matter of fact, it’s one of the quickest ways to alter your emotional state. Deep breathing connects to the brain via signals that are carried by this vagus nerve. This signaling is vital in activating the parasympathetic nervous system (circuits for relaxation and resting).

When you consciously breathe slowly and deeply, it increases your vagus nerve’s activity levels and catalyzes your brain towards parasympathetic activity, which helps calm you down. Breathe very slowly through your nose up to a count of six or eight. Then pause for just a couple of seconds at the peak of your inhalation and exhale very slowly via your nose for that same count.

3. Splash Your Face And Neck With Cold Water

Splashing cold water on your face jolts your vagus nerve and slows your heart rate down. Your brain will feel the drop in your heart rate and tells it not to continue being stressed. If you’re feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed, simply cup your hands under cold water and, splash it quickly on your face.

Other Useful Tips For De-Stressing

In addition to all these pointers, some of the other things you can do include:

•Eat and drink sensibly, at regular intervals
•Assert yourself and learn to say “no” when you are overworked
•Exercise regularly
•Maintain a healthy and nutritious diet
•Get a sufficient amount of sleep and establish a regular sleep routine
•Set realistic health goals and stick to them
•Listen to calming music
•Watch kitten/puppy antics videos
•Dance/play an instrument or indulge in some other fun activity
•Socialize and meet up with friends
•Spend leisure time with family
•Learn to relax, think positive and laugh a lot
•Stay away from your phone and other electronic devices for some part of the day

Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy

Looking after your body & mind are some of the most important things to do to boost your long-term memory, reduce stress and improve brain function. While all of the above-mentioned tips for de-stressing are ones you can follow on a regular basis to reduce your stress levels, there may be times when you feel you need some additional help.

Consider consulting our experienced Las Vegas Neurologist; Dr. Milford will assess your condition and provide treatments for diseases/disorders that can come from excessive stresses or strains in the brain. They will adopt a holistic neurological stress reduction therapy approach to help increase core level energy, promote natural & healthy detoxification, boost your immune system, and bring the body and mind back to balance.

De-stress therapies aren’t a one-time activity. It’s about taking small steps and making seemingly minor changes to the way you think, work, act and react, to help you live a stress-free and healthy life.

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Categories : Alzheimer's disease, Blog, Brain Food, Brain Health, brain stress, Health Tips, las vegas neurologist, Las Vegas neurology clinic, stress, stress relief
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Challenging your Brain

By silverstate neurology · Comments (0)
Friday, June 22nd, 2018

There is no right age to start thinking of how to keep your brain healthy. People who challenge their brains are likely to live a longer and more fulfilling life! There are different types of exercises that can boost our brain energy, but mental health exercises are often overlooked. Take some time each day to give your mind a mental workout!

Things that benefit our brain are right in front of us, sometimes we don’t see it right away. Add these simple tips into your everyday life more frequently!

Learn new things

Nothing wrong with a little new information every now and then. Whether you learn a new language, an instrument or studying a different career industry, learning should be a consistent part of your life! Learning new things challenges your brain’s skills in memory retainment, reading, problem-solving and so much more. Be curious about the world around, add to your vocabulary, utilize the internet when you come across something you’ve never seen.

You may consider learning a new hobby! If you want to start with something simple, a new hobby is a great way to start. Starting a new hobby allows you to get your creativity flowing and makes you think! Sometimes the things we are good at have yet to be discovered!

Be Productive in the Mornings

Routines are healthy for the brain. Waking up early and jump-starting your day with a to-do list not only boosts productivity but it prevents your brain from feeling sluggish all day. Changing up your routine is the challenge. Yes, it is important to have a routine weekly, but it’s even healthier to change it up every now and then by adding new tasks or doing things differently. A fixed routine can eventually make your brain feel too accustomed to something.

Rotate between being Old-Fashioned & Current

Technology is something many people rely on and not rely on enough. There are those few who are heavily dependent on using their smartphones and laptops and then there are those who rather not dive into learning how to use technology to their advantage.

If you aren’t familiar with the technology, it might be a great thing to teach yourself. It’s important to stay current and there’ s nothing wrong with learning something new especially if you can use it to your advantage.

If you rely on technology a little too much, try doing things the hard way sometimes:

  • Use your brain for basic math you need to add or even memorizing phone numbers of people important to you!
  • Use your sense of direction and mental skills to figure out where to go without using a GPS from your phone.

    • Stay Well-Read

    Regardless of your interests, it’s important to read. Read anything! Books, magazines, articles, food labels. Reading stimulates your brain and keeps your mind pumping. It’s one of the simplest ways to challenge your brain.

    Keep up with current events, even if it’s a little a day. Whether you are staying updated with the environment, politics, world news or even local news, stimulate your brain by learning about things that are happening right now. You may even consider learning about the technological changes that are happening in society today! You will be surprised by what you learn each day, there is always something new.

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    Categories : Alzheimer's disease, Blog, Brain Health, brain stress, Diet, Health Tips, las vegas neurologist, Las Vegas neurology clinic, Migraines, Silver State Neurology, Sleep Disorders, stress, stress relief
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