Protecting the brain from serious injury and disease may depend on a few simple everyday habits, according to neurosurgeon Dr Stefan Thomas Lang. In an August 9 Instagram post, Lang highlighted practical precautions people can take to reduce their risk of becoming a neurosurgical patient, including wearing a helmet while riding an e-scooter, avoiding alcohol and keeping blood pressure under control. One of his strongest recommendations was to wear a helmet when using an e-scooter. Lang described helmet use as potentially one of the most important things people can do to protect their brains, based on the serious head injuries he sees in his medical practice.

Falls and collisions involving two-wheelers can result in traumatic brain injuries, some of which can have long-term consequences or require emergency neurosurgical treatment. Lang also advised people to avoid alcohol, pointing to its potential role in situations that can lead to serious injuries. Alcohol can affect coordination, balance, reaction time and judgement, increasing the risk of falls and accidents. For people using e-scooters or other vehicles, impairment can further increase the likelihood of a collision and potentially severe head trauma.

Another major concern highlighted by the neurosurgeon was high blood pressure. Lang said he frequently sees people with uncontrolled hypertension who subsequently suffer bleeding in the brain. A brain haemorrhage can be a medical emergency and may result in permanent neurological damage or death, depending on its severity and the speed with which treatment is provided. High blood pressure is often called a "silent killer" because it may not produce noticeable symptoms for years. A person can therefore have hypertension without realising it while the condition gradually increases the strain on blood vessels.

Also Read: 6 Simple Habits That Can Lower Your Risk of Stroke

Regular blood-pressure checks can help identify the problem, allowing people and their healthcare providers to take steps to control it and reduce the risk of complications. Keeping blood pressure within a healthy range generally involves a combination of lifestyle measures and, when prescribed, medication. Maintaining a balanced diet, staying physically active, limiting excess salt, avoiding tobacco and managing other cardiovascular risk factors can support blood-pressure control. People who have been diagnosed with hypertension should follow medical advice and take prescribed treatment consistently rather than waiting for symptoms to appear.

Lang's advice highlights that brain protection is not limited to treatment after an injury or neurological condition develops. Preventive measures can play an important role, particularly when it comes to avoiding head trauma and managing conditions that can damage blood vessels supplying the brain. Wearing appropriate protective equipment, making safer choices around alcohol and monitoring blood pressure are relatively simple steps that can potentially reduce serious risks.

While no precaution can eliminate the possibility of neurological emergencies, the neurosurgeon's recommendations focus on risks that people can address in everyday life. Head protection during activities such as e-scooter riding can reduce the severity of injuries in some crashes, while controlling hypertension can lower the risk of complications associated with high blood pressure. Regular health checks and timely medical care remain important, particularly for people with known risk factors.

Also Read: Doomscrolling Habit Linked To Memory And Focus Issues, Warns Neurologist Sudhir Kumar