The Hidden Affects of a Concussion on the Brain

Most often, the focus with a concussion is the area of the brain where the impact occurred. However, there is another aspect that causes the majority of the issues of cognitive function after getting a concussion. Bi-lateral Integration Interruption, often gets over looked or is unknown, and if overlooked can have future devastating affects on the person. 

The brain is divided into two halves, these two hemispheres are connected by the Corpus Callosum, a very thick bundle of nerve fibers, whose primary function is the transfer of information between the two halves of the brain. Much like the city of Portland has an east side and a west side, and is divided by the Willamette River, we have bridges connecting both sides.  Now imagine an earthquake taking out all the bridges except one. How would your morning commute be then?  A concussion is like an earthquake in the brain taking out or damaging the corpus callosum (bridges) so the brain can not have an efficient flow of information.  This flow of information constitutes most all our cognitive and physical abilities.  If we are not processing such things like concentration, spatial recognition, balance or reaction time efficiently, we have an increased chance for additional concussions, or even physical injuries in the future. Time is not enough to correct these issues, it takes a very specific targeted cognitive therapy.

Synergy Training Center Brain Performance and Care can help you get back to your pre-concussion abilities to be efficient and safe.

Menopause and your Brain

Medical science has finally caught up with the reality of "fuzzy thinking" at menopause. It's real, and after years of skepticism it's a relief to know it's not all in your "head"... The good news is you don't need to wait any longer to banish the brain fog that's interfering with your working memory.

Working memory is your brain's storage container for information you might need in the next couple of minutes. A weak working memory lets valuable info slide out of the container, making everyday math problems tougher, messing up your ability to grocery-shop without a list and focus in a business meeting, and much more.

Why is your working memory not working? Hormonal shifts at menopause can throw you off your mental game.  The reason: There are loads of estrogen receptors in areas of the brain (like the frontal lobe) that control working memory.  When there is less estrogen to turn these receptors on, memory degrades until the receptors adjust. With the fluctuations at menopause, the receptors often cannot adjust fast enough, and you forget your dentist appointment.

So how can you sharpen your thinking, hone your mental focus and lift that fog:

As always, the big three are important to have for a healthy lifestyle, however even more important during menopause; regular rigorous exercise, healthy diet rich in Omega 3‘s and good quality sleep.

But now there is a fourth component: Exercising your brain. When you exercise the brain you increase the number connections between the brain cells, making the connections stronger and improving blood flow in the brain regions. When you increase the number of these connections and make them stronger, it increases the ability for these receptors to adjust faster with the fluctuations of estrogen that occur during menopause.  Allowing your working memory to keep working efficiently through menopause.

Contact Synergy Training Center Brain Performance and Care on how to train and exercise your brain for help through menopause and to increase overall cognitive abilities.

Synergy Training Center Brain Performance and Care

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Drs. Oz and Rozen Column-Oregonian Food Day 2/26/13