If you’ve experienced so-called “senior moments,” brain blips or brain freezes, you’re not alone.
Many people worry about their future brain health. So many, in fact, that the American Academy of Neurology suggests that everyone consider 12 factors that influence long-term brain health.
“Neurologists are the experts in brain health, with the training and insight needed to help you keep your brain in top shape throughout life,” Dr. Carlayne Jackson, president of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), said in a news release.
In a recent article in the journal Neurology, a team led by Dr. Linda Selwa of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor recommended 12 tips to start conversations with your health care provider about ways to keep your brain healthy.
Questions to ask yourself and tell your doctor
1. Sleep
Are you able to get sufficient sleep to feel rested?
Adults and their doctors should not take anything for granted. Discuss daytime sleepiness, shift work, pain at night, insomnia and daytime napping.
2. Mood and mental health
Do you have concerns about your mood, anxiety or stress? Do you experience social isolation or loneliness?
While your provider should assess you for depression and anxiety, be prepared to raise the issues yourself.
3. Food, diet and supplements
Do you have concerns about getting enough or healthy enough food or questions about supplements or vitamins?
4. Exercise
Do you find ways to fit physical exercise into your life?
Besides physical activity, talk to your doctor about movement, balance and how to maintain your independence.
5. Supportive social interactions
Do you have regular contact with close friends or family, and do you have enough support from people?
6. Trauma avoidance
Your doctor should ask if you wear seatbelts and helmets, about gun safety, watercraft or ATV safety, and fall prevention.
It is also important to discuss any occupational risks you may have.
7. Blood pressure
Have you had problems with high blood pressure at home or at doctor visits, or do you have any concerns about blood pressure treatment or getting a blood pressure cuff at home?
Talk to your doctor about secondary causes of high blood pressure and relationships between medications and blood pressure.
8. Risks, genetic and metabolic factors
Do you have trouble controlling blood sugar or cholesterol? Does a neurological disease run in your family?
Consider and recognize genetic risks; if needed, ask about control of lipids and diabetes and maintaining a healthy weight.
9. Affordability and adherence
Do you have any trouble with the cost of your medicines? Speak up!
Your doctor should ask about age transitions that may affect insurance; be sure to let them know if your coverage is changing. Discuss Medicare supplements for medications and other high-cost care.
10. Infection
Are you up-to-date on vaccines, and do you have enough information about those vaccines?
Ask your doctor about an age-specific immunization schedule.
You should also discuss any home or occupational exposures to animals and risks posed by sexually transmitted infection and travel.
11. Negative exposures
Do you smoke, have more than one to two drinks per day or use nonprescription drugs? Do you drink well water or live in an area with known air or water pollution?
Every visit is an opportunity to be screened for issues with tobacco, alcohol and nonprescription substance use.
12. Social determinants of health
Do you have concerns about housing, transportation, having access to care and medical insurance, or your physical or emotional safety?
Your health care provider can provide advice, medical care and resources to help improve your brain health.
“Continued advocacy by neurologists, including efforts to fund scientific research and improve access to health care, improves brain health on a national level,” Selwa said in an AAN news release. “Our article shows there are many ways to improve brain health individually. Resolving to improve your brain health in the new year is a great start.”
More Information
The Mayo Clinic has more tips to keep your brain healthy.
Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Citation:
12 questions to ask yourself and your doctor to maintain brain health (2025, February 1)
retrieved 1 February 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-doctor-brain-health.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
If you’ve experienced so-called “senior moments,” brain blips or brain freezes, you’re not alone. Many people worry about their future brain health. So many, in fact, that the American Academy of Neurology suggests that everyone consider 12 factors that influence long-term brain health. “Neurologists are the experts in brain health, with the training and insight needed to help you keep your brain in top shape throughout life,” Dr. Carlayne Jackson, president of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), said in a news release. In a recent article in the journal Neurology, a team led by Dr. Linda Selwa of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor recommended 12 tips to start conversations with your health care provider about ways to keep your brain healthy. Are you able to get sufficient sleep to feel rested? Adults and their doctors should not take anything for granted. Discuss daytime sleepiness, shift work, pain at night, insomnia and daytime napping. Do you have concerns about your mood, anxiety or stress? Do you experience social isolation or loneliness? While your provider should assess you for depression and anxiety, be prepared to raise the issues yourself. Do you have concerns about getting enough or healthy enough food or questions about supplements or vitamins? Do you find ways to fit physical exercise into your life? Besides physical activity, talk to your doctor about movement, balance and how to maintain your independence. Do you have regular contact with close friends or family, and do you have enough support from people? Your doctor should ask if you wear seatbelts and helmets, about gun safety, watercraft or ATV safety, and fall prevention. It is also important to discuss any occupational risks you may have. Have you had problems with high blood pressure at home or at doctor visits, or do you have any concerns about blood pressure treatment or getting a blood pressure cuff at home? Talk to your doctor about secondary causes of high blood pressure and relationships between medications and blood pressure. Do you have trouble controlling blood sugar or cholesterol? Does a neurological disease run in your family? Consider and recognize genetic risks; if needed, ask about control of lipids and diabetes and maintaining a healthy weight. Do you have any trouble with the cost of your medicines? Speak up! Your doctor should ask about age transitions that may affect insurance; be sure to let them know if your coverage is changing. Discuss Medicare supplements for medications and other high-cost care. Are you up-to-date on vaccines, and do you have enough information about those vaccines? Ask your doctor about an age-specific immunization schedule. You should also discuss any home or occupational exposures to animals and risks posed by sexually transmitted infection and travel. Do you smoke, have more than one to two drinks per day or use nonprescription drugs? Do you drink well water or live in an area with known air or water pollution? Every visit is an opportunity to be screened for issues with tobacco, alcohol and nonprescription substance use. Do you have concerns about housing, transportation, having access to care and medical insurance, or your physical or emotional safety? Your health care provider can provide advice, medical care and resources to help improve your brain health. “Continued advocacy by neurologists, including efforts to fund scientific research and improve access to health care, improves brain health on a national level,” Selwa said in an AAN news release. “Our article shows there are many ways to improve brain health individually. Resolving to improve your brain health in the new year is a great start.” The Mayo Clinic has more tips to keep your brain healthy. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. Citation: This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no
Questions to ask yourself and tell your doctor
1. Sleep
2. Mood and mental health
3. Food, diet and supplements
4. Exercise
5. Supportive social interactions
6. Trauma avoidance
7. Blood pressure
8. Risks, genetic and metabolic factors
9. Affordability and adherence
10. Infection
11. Negative exposures
12. Social determinants of health
More Information
12 questions to ask yourself and your doctor to maintain brain health (2025, February 1)
retrieved 1 February 2025
from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-02-doctor-brain-health.html
part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.
