Your Year of Health · October
Brain Health
Your brain runs everything — thinking, memory, mood, and movement — and, like your heart, it thrives on good blood flow, fuel, activity, and rest. Much of what protects your heart protects your brain too.
Some slowing with age is normal, but a large share of cognitive decline is influenced by things you can act on. Your primary care office is a good partner in protecting your brain over time.
The Basics
What is brain health?
Brain health is how well your brain works across thinking, memory, mood, and movement — and how well it holds up as you age. Like the heart, the brain depends on steady blood flow, good fuel, activity, and rest, which is why so much of what protects your heart also protects your brain.
Can I really influence it?
Yes — more than was once assumed. The brain stays adaptable throughout life (a property called neuroplasticity), forming new connections in response to learning and activity. And a large share of dementia risk is tied to factors you can actually do something about.
The Brain & Aging
What changes are normal with age?
Some slowing is normal: occasionally misplacing your keys, taking a little longer to recall a name, or needing a moment to learn something new. These don’t usually disrupt daily life, and staying mentally and socially active helps keep the brain sharp.
What’s not just normal aging?
Memory loss that disrupts daily life, getting lost in familiar places, trouble finding words or following conversations, poor judgment, or noticeable personality changes can signal a problem worth evaluating. Significant decline is not an inevitable part of getting older.
Risk Factors
What raises the risk of decline and dementia?
A 2024 expert review (the Lancet Commission) identified many modifiable factors across life — including hearing loss, high blood pressure, smoking, obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, depression, social isolation, excessive alcohol, head injury, air pollution, less education, untreated vision loss, and high LDL cholesterol. Together, addressing these could prevent or delay up to about 45% of dementia cases.
You can’t change your age or genetics, but you can act on most of the rest — and it’s never too early or too late to start.
Brain-Healthy Habits
- Stay physically active — exercise is one of the best things you can do for your brain.
- Protect your heart — manage blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar.
- Don’t smoke, and limit alcohol.
- Keep learning and stay mentally engaged.
- Stay socially connected.
- Treat hearing and vision loss — both matter for the brain.
- Sleep well and manage stress and depression.
- Protect your head — seatbelts, helmets, and fall prevention.
Memory & Cognition
Is forgetfulness always serious?
No. Everyone forgets things, especially when busy, stressed, or tired. Occasional lapses that don’t worsen or interfere with life are usually normal. Reversible causes — poor sleep, stress, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, medications, or depression — can also affect memory and are worth checking.
When should memory changes be evaluated?
If memory or thinking problems are getting worse, affecting daily activities, or being noticed by people close to you, see a doctor. Early evaluation can uncover treatable causes and, when needed, allow for earlier planning and treatment.
When to Get Help
Talk with your doctor about new or worsening memory or thinking problems, confusion, trouble managing daily tasks, mood or personality changes, or any significant head injury. It’s also worth raising brain health during regular visits — managing blood pressure, hearing, sleep, and mood is brain care. Your primary care office can evaluate, treat reversible causes, and refer to a specialist when needed.
Many memory problems have treatable causes.
Memory changes aren’t always dementia — sleep, stress, medications, thyroid, and vitamin levels can all play a role, and many are fixable. An evaluation is worth it either way: it can reassure you, uncover something treatable, or get the right support started early.
Useful Links
Talk it through with Dr. Mui
Brain health is part of routine primary care. Book a visit to check the factors that protect your brain, talk through memory concerns, and rule out treatable causes.
Prefer to ask first? Text Dr. Mui at 617-675-4085.
This page is for general education and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk with a qualified health provider about your specific situation.