10 Warning Signs Your BRAIN is in Trouble

10 warning signs your brain is in trouble and what to do about it 

We worry about our looks and our bodies on a daily basis. Think how many guys and gals undergo surgery to look better. How many people go to the doctor because they have a stomach ache or a bad knee.  

The real danger in life that most people disregard is your beautiful brain. No one really thinks about their brain and its proper function usually until is too late. Except when you have a bad headache of course. The thing is that most of the real problems you have with your brain are not noticeable! Do you ever pay attention if your concentration and focus are on point? Or if your memory capabilities have been declining? Most likely not.  

You are your brain. Your brain controls every aspect of your life! EVERYTHING, so we need to take care of it.  In order to have a good life you have to have a good brain. A healthy brain leads to a happier, wealthier, smarter life. You make better decisions and have better relationships.  

Here are 10 symptoms that can indicate your brain is in trouble! 

1 - Poor Memory 

Most people attribute having a bad memory to getting older. Like it is a normal thing that will happen. That is NOT TRUE! Yes many people lose it as they get older but that is a PREVENTABLE problem. Think of how many sharp older people you know that remember things as if they were 20? Guess what? That can be YOU. If your memory is not as good as it was 10 years ago you have to be concerned that something is happening.  

2 - Poor Decision Making – Being too impulsive 

I frequently see people constantly making the wrong decisions in their lives. One after another. This is not a normal behavior. In fact the quality of your life is reflected by the quality of the decisions you make. Unfortunately people with those issues get so accustomed to making bad decisions. They start believing that is the way things are and blame all their misfortunes to the world surrounding them. One of the main reasons why people make bad decisions is because they let their impulsive behavior take control. The more impulsive you are the less time you give your rational brain (cerebral cortex) to make a more calculated decisions. Having poor decision abilities is a sign of brain malfunction. Some reasons why this might happen include poor blood flow to the brain, low blood sugar, lack of sleep or drugs and alcohol. 

3 - Too distracted  

There are two know conditions that are growing rapidly in the world: Attention deficit disorder (ADD) and ADHD (H stands for hyperactive). These conditions are associated with a low activity in the frontal cortex which is the area responsible for higher cognitive function and decision making. The problems associated with a lack of attention include academic underachievement, problems at work, relationship problems and very often a lack of a defined purpose or goals. If you feel you are constantly distracted take a step back and try to figure out why. 

4 - Low focus and concentration 

Low focus or concentration is highly correlated with being distracted and having low attention spans but not always. Stress, worry and having a very busy life can also decrease your focus and concentration. Unfortunately our brains can be overloaded and there is only so much we can process on a daily basis.   

5 - Feeling blue (depressed, sad, angry) 

Having negative feelings like being depressed, sad, or being angry is a normal process for everyone. It is almost impossible to not experience these feelings once in a while. The problem is when these feelings persist and don't go away. You must be able to realize that this is happening to you. If you can't see it, then pay attention to external ques like your partner or friends telling pointing it out to you. Being depressed lowers your overall brain activity. Boosting your brain function is a good way to fight depression. Depression has also killed millions of people and it is a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease, cancer, obesity and much more. Many things can influence depression or feeling sad including a traumatic event, drugs, alcohol, brain infections or persistent lack of sleep. Also know that mood disorders are not only treatable with medication but also with good nutrition exercise and adequate natural supplements.  

6 - Having low energy  

More often than not the reason why people feel they have low energy is due to a low brain function. This can lead to other symptoms we mentioned above like low concentration, lower mood and bad memory. Many things can influence having low energy including sleep, infections, toxins, drugs low blood sugar, low blood pressure, emotional trauma and poor exercise. Fortunately it is very easy to boost your brains energy and get back on track.  My favorite way is exercising. 

7 - Being overweight or obese 

Yes, believe it or not, obesity or being overweight have profound effects on our brains. A third of Americans are affected by obesity and overweight. Being overweight increases the chances of many diseases including cancer, diabetes and Alzheimer's disease. Although overeating is not considered a mental disorder, my personal opinion is that it is 100% an addictive behavior. If you compare brain scans of an obese person with a brain scan of a drug addict they are almost indistinguishable. Being obese not only shrinks the size of your brain as research has shown, but it also creates changes at the genetic level by affecting the way your genes are expressed. Other studies have shown that as your weight goes up your thinking abilities go down which can turn into a vicious cycle because it affects your ability to control your eating habit. Your eating habits are a critical factor on maintaining a healthy brain so you must take control of them. 

8 - Lack of sleep 

Sleeping is the activity we spend the most time as human beings. Yet is one of the most disregarded activities by us. We always sacrifice sleep in order to compensate other activities. Lack of sleep or even sleep apnea are a sign that you might have a troubled brain. Research has shown that people who lack sleep (usually less than 7 hours per day) have lower cognitive function. Many things can influence your sleep disorder such as your mood, being depressed, stressed or anxious.  The effects of not sleeping can be devastating. Studies with NASA pilots have shown that a 20-30 minute nap can increase productivity by 25%! Many things are affected by lack of sleep from behavioral problems to physical problem. You must find the time to get adequate rest even if it means napping for 30 minutes once in a while. 

9 - Sexual Dysfunction 

This one might come as a surprise to you. Sexual dysfunction in men and women can be a sign of a brain in trouble! Your brain gets a tremendous amount of blood, about 25% of it in fact. Sexual dysfunction is usually a problem related to low blood flow. Our heart might not be pumping enough blood as it should. Guess what does that mean? Your brain isn't getting enough blood either! 

10 - Feeling Anxious or stressed 

Being anxious or stressed is a very common state of mind that we can't avoid sometimes. Unfortunately stress can have a huge impact on your brain and overall health. We respond to stress by increasing the production of a particular hormone called cortisol.  In constant high concentrations, cortisol can be harmful to your brain and body. Stress can result from many different things including lack of sleep, busy schedules, relationship problems, and work. The good news is that stress is manageable and can be eliminated completely. 

What to do about my troubled brain? 

If you pay attention, your brain will tell you it is in trouble. Being conscious about some of the warning signs mentioned above is already a step further to help you understand and take action to have a better brain and a better life.  

Exercising and diet are amongst the top of the things you need to pay close attention to help your brain succeed. Processed food and foods high in sugar content are some of the worst foods you can feed your brain with. To keep your energy levels from dropping it is good to exercise for at least 20 minutes a day no matter how old you are. Keep in mind that most mental diseases occur when you are older which means you must lead a good healthy life if you want your brain to last. When we are young we feel invincible but all the bad habits, the bad diets and the lack of exercise slowly damages our cells in a very unnoticeable way until it is too late.  

The good news is that the more you learn and understand how our body and minds work the more you realize how important all this is and take action.