Brain: what is inflammation of the brain?

How or why does your brain get inflamed? What does it mean for you and what can you do about it?

Inflammation is a confusing term. It is not always a bad thing. For example, if you cut your hand, the area may swell, turn red, ache and pain.

These are all signs of inflammation. But in reality, this is your body healing itself.

It is when inflammation becomes chronic that you worry. So what does it mean in the context of the brain?

Your brain has an immune system that has glial cells. Thing of it like the guards protecting your brain. Pathogens, trauma or stress can trigger these cells.

When this happens, you create a storm also known as a cytokine storm. In the short run, this is fine. But a cytokine storm over days or months can cause disease or worse.

What lights the fuse?

Infections—viral (think herpes simplex) or bacterial (meningitis). Physical trauma—traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts homeostasis.

Chronic stress spikes cortisol. Nutrition plays a role too. A diet that is high glycemic load, omega-6 overload, creates a gut-brain axis dysregulation.

So how would you know?

If you are showing symptoms of cognitive decline. Memory, brain fog, emotional swings, sleep disruption. Even dysregulation of motor function. These are signs that the brain is not working the way it should be.

A brain scan might confirm brain inflammation.

So what can you do?

Change your nutrition. Reduce the consumption of inflammatory foods such as processed foods, high in omega 6 and sugar. Increaes the consumption of omega 3 in the form of ghee, flaxseeds or walnuts.

Reduce your stress by practicing breathing. Include walks in your routine as it increases something called brain-derieved neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Keep your brain sharp by using it for varied activities.

In the case of your brain, the sooner you intervene, the better for you.

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