What is a Brain?
The brain is an organ that’s made up of a large mass of nerve tissue that’s protected within the skull. It plays a role in just about every major body system.

Some of its main functions include:
processing sensory information
regulating blood pressure and breathing
releasing hormones

Anatomy and Function
Cerebrum
The cerebrum is the largest part of the brain. It’s divided into two halves, called hemispheres. The two hemispheres are separated by a groove called the interhemispheric fissure. It’s also called the longitudinal fissure.

Each hemisphere of the cerebrum is divided into broad regions called lobes. Each lobe is associated with different functions:

Frontal lobes. The frontal lobes are the largest of the lobes. As indicated by their name, they’re located in the front part of the brain. They coordinates high-level behaviors, such as motor skills, problem solving, judgment, planning, and attention. The frontal lobes also manage emotions and impulse control.

Parietal lobes. The parietal lobes are located behind the frontal lobes. They’re involved in organizing and interpreting sensory information from other parts of the brain.

Temporal lobes. The temporal lobes are located on either side of the head on the same level as the ears. They coordinate specific functions, including visual memory (such as facial recognition), verbal memory (such as understanding language), and interpreting the emotions and reactions of others.

Occipital lobes. The occipital lobes are located in the back of the brain. They’re heavily involved in the ability to read and recognize printed words, along with other aspects of vision.

 

Cerebellum
The cerebellum is located in the back of the brain, just below the occipital lobes. It’s involved with fine motor skills, which refers to the coordination of smaller, or finer, movements, especially those involving the hands and feet. It also helps the body maintain its posture, equilibrium, and balance.

 

Diencephalon
The diencephalon is located at the base of the brain. It contains the:

thalamus
epithalamus
hypothalamus

The thalamus acts as a kind of relay station for signals coming into the brain. It’s also involved in consciousness, sleep, and memory.

The epithalamus serves as a connection between the limbic system and other parts of the brain. The limbic system is a part of the brain that’s involved with emotion, long-term memory, and behavior.

The hypothalamus helps maintain homeostasis. This refers to the balance of all bodily functions. It does this by:

maintaining daily physiological cycles, such as the sleep-wake cycle
controlling appetite
regulating body temperature
controlling the producing and release of hormones

 

Brain stem
The brain stem is located in front of the cerebellum and connects to the spinal cord. It consists of three major parts:

Midbrain. The midbrain helps control eye movement and processes visual and auditory information.
Pons. This is the largest part of the brain stem. It’s located below the midbrain. It’s a group of nerves that help connect different parts of the brain. The pons also contains the start of some of the cranial nerves. These nerves are involved in facial movements and transmitting sensory information.
Medulla oblongata. The medulla oblongata is the lowest part of the brain. It acts as the control center for the function of the heart and lungs. It helps regulate many important functions, including breathing, sneezing, and swallowing.

 

Brain Conditions
There are hundreds of conditions that can affect the brain. Most of them fall within one of five main categories:

brain injuries, such as concussions
cerebrovascular injuries, such as aneurysms or strokes
brain tumors, such as acoustic neuromas or schwannomas
neurodegenerative disorders, such as dementia, Parkinson’s disease, or Huntington’s disease
psychological conditions, such as anxiety, depression, or schizophrenia

 

Symptoms of Brain Conditions
The brain is one of your most important body parts, so it’s important to know how to recognize signs that there may be a problem.

 

Brain injury symptoms
Brain injury symptoms depend on the type and severity of the injury. While they sometimes appear immediately after a traumatic event, they can also show up hours or days later.

General brain injury symptoms may include:

headache
nausea or vomiting
feeling confused or disoriented
dizziness
feeling tired or drowsy
speech problems, including slurring
sleeping more or less than usual
dilation of one or both pupils
fluid draining from your nose or ears
seizures
sensory problems, such as blurry vision or a ringing in your ears
trouble remembering things or difficulty concentrating
mood swings or unusual behavior
Cerebrovascular injury symptoms
Symptoms tend to come on suddenly and include:

severe headache
loss of vision
inability to speak
inability to move or feel a part of the body
drooping face
coma
Brain tumor symptoms
Brain tumor symptoms depend on the size, location, and type of tumor.

General brain tumor symptoms may include:

headache
nausea or vomiting
loss of motor coordination, such as trouble walking
feeling sleepy
feelings of weakness
appetite changes
convulsions or seizures
issues with your vision, hearing, or speech
difficulty concentrating
mood swings or behavior changes

 

Neurodegenerative symptoms
Neurodegenerative diseases cause damage to nervous tissue over time, so their symptoms may get worse as time goes on.

General neurodegenerative symptoms include:
memory loss or forgetfulness
changes in mood, personality, or behavior
issues with motor coordination, such as difficulty walking or staying balanced
speech issues, such as slurring or hesitation before speaking

 

Psychological symptoms
Symptoms of psychological conditions can be very different from person to person, even when they involve the same condition.

Some general symptoms of a psychological condition include:

excessive feelings of fear, worry, or guilt
feeling sad or dejected
confusion
difficulty concentrating
low energy
extreme stress that gets in the way of daily activities
extreme mood swings
withdrawal from loved ones or activities
delusions or hallucinations
suicidal ideation

 

Tips for Healthy Brain
Follow these tips to keep your brain in good health and to reduce your risk of certain brain conditions:

 

Use it or lose it
Improve your mental fitness by regularly reading, learning, or doing activities that make you think, such as crossword puzzles. All of these help stimulate your nerve cells, and may even lead to the development of new brain cells.

 

Protect your head
Always wear a helmet when playing contact sports. Be sure to buckle up when you get in the car. Both of these can go a long way when it comes to avoiding brain injuries.

 

Exercise
Doing regular cardio workouts stimulates blood flow throughout your body, including your brain.

 

Quit smoking
While smoking is bad for your overall health, it can also lead to cognitive decline.

 

Listen to your thoughts
Try to check in from time to time with your thoughts or feelings. Keeping a diary is a good way to get into this habit. Look for any thought patterns or emotions that seem to be impacting your day-to-day life. They could be a sign of an underlying, treatable psychological condition.