Latest news with #BrianHoeflinger
Hindustan Times
05-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Neurosurgeon shares the 5 major health benefits of walking: Preventing Alzheimer's to lowering heart disease risk
Walking is one of the most underrated exercises that stores in the world of health benefits. But what exactly are they? In a video shared on June 2, Dr Brian Hoeflinger, MD (neurosurgeon), and Dr Cindy Hoeflinger, MD, PhD (forensic pathologist), talked about 5 major health benefits of walking regularly. The neurosurgeon posted the video and wrote, 'Benefits of walking from the Drs Hoeflinger.' Let's find out what these benefits are: Walking is great for your heart and lungs. (Shutterstock) Also Read | Cardiologist suggests a rare sugar alternative that 'doesn't spike blood sugar, insulin levels and reduces body fat' 5 major benefits of walking According to the neurosurgeon and forensic pathologist, here are some major benefits of walking: 1. Walking is great for your heart and lungs. 2. It reduces your risk of heart disease, lowers your blood pressure, and reduces your risk of stroke. 3. Not only does walking generally make you feel well, but it also releases endorphins, which are definite mood enhancers. 4. Walking is good for your circulation. It increases the blood flow to your body, particularly your brain, which can help prevent degenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease. 5. Walking is also good for your joints, as I can attest to. It helps strengthen the muscles around your joints, making movement easier and enhancing a little bit of bone growth, which makes your bones stronger. In general, you just feel better. Why walking 10,000 steps is better? While walking is great, completing 10,000 steps every day is even better. Many studies have shown that completing this target has many mental and physical benefits, including weight management, heart health, and mental wellbeing. According to a 2019 JAMA Internal Medicine study, even walking fewer steps can benefit your health. The researchers found that women who averaged 4,400 daily steps had a 41 percent reduction in mortality. Additionally, among older women, as few as approximately 4400 steps/d was significantly related to lower mortality rates Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
03-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Neurosurgeon explains what actually happens to your brain from buying the coffee to taking that first sip
Dr Brian Hoeflinger, MD (Neurosurgeon) with over 25 years of experience, often shares interesting information about our brain. In an Instagram video shared on January 17, the neurologist explained what happens to our brain when we go and grab that cup of coffee from a barista. Know what happens in your brain when you have a cup of coffee. (Shutterstock) Also Read | Neurologist reveals how serious is Salman Khan's health condition: Everything to know about trigeminal neuralgia Sharing the video, Dr Brian wrote, 'Learn about the brain using a fun story involving coffee.' He used a brain model to explain the different parts that get activated when we decide to buy a cup of coffee. Let's find out what the neurosurgeon said: What happens to your brain when you get that cup of coffee? Showing the frontal lobes of our brain, Dr Brian explained that they are in charge of reasoning, logic, and making decisions. He built a scenario where he asked viewers to imagine being in a mall, seeing a coffee shop, and debating whether to buy a cop of coffee or not. 'While you're trying to make that decision, that's your frontal lobe helping you,' he said. Dr Brian added that once you have decided to get coffee, you enter the shop and try to interpret what's on that menu. At this time, there's a part of your brain in the back called the occipital lobes, which gets activated and houses the visual cortex. 'That's the part of your brain that, when you're looking at the menu, helps you interpret what you're seeing,' he explained. Once you have decided and picked up that piping hot coffee, a part of your brain in the parietal lobe called the sensory cortex gets activated. 'That's where all your sensory information comes in.' He added, 'So, when you pick that coffee up and it feels hot, it's your sensory cortex interpreting it. When you're drinking it and you feel the warmth in your mouth and how good it tastes, that's because you're interpreting it through your sensory cortex.' Later, this information from the sensory cortex goes into the back of the frontal lobe, and that's called the motor cortex. 'Your motor cortex is what allows you to pick that coffee cup up and drink it. It is in charge of the motor actions.' Also Read | Gastroenterologist warns 'iodine deficiency is reemerging due to popularity of Himalayan salt over iodised salt' Lastly, once you have had your coffee and enjoyed it, your brain is ready to store that information. How do we remember that? Well, per the neurologist, there is a part of your brain called the temporal lobe, where we house memory. 'So, the next time you're thinking of having coffee and see a coffee shop, and you're remembering how good that coffee is, that's thanks to your temporal lobe because it's helping you remember that you like coffee,' Dr Brian added. What happens to your body when you drink coffee Now that you know about the brain, find out what happens to your body when you sip the brew first thing in the morning. A report by the British daily, The Telegraph, mapped the effects of caffeine consumption on our body after the first sip, depending on various factors, including how much you drink and what type of person you are. Read more here. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
Hindustan Times
01-07-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Neurosurgeon explains how to recognise a brain stroke: Most common warning signs, symptoms and what to do immediately
In a June 30 video he posted on Instagram, US-based neurosurgeon Dr Brian Hoeflinger, shared how to recognise a stroke. According to him, sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg or sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding speech are some of the sighs to watch out for. Also read | Neurologist explains causes and symptoms of two types of brain strokes: Ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke A stroke is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention. Prompt treatment can significantly improve outcomes and reduce the risk of long-term damage. (Freepik) Dr Hoeflinger explained that a stroke occurs when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted or reduced, depriving the brain of oxygen and nutrients. This can cause damage to brain cells and lead to loss of brain function. He wrote in his caption, 'Learn the warning signs and symptoms of a stroke and what to do if you think someone is having a stroke.' In the video, he said, 'A stroke, put in simplest terms, is when a specific part of the brain gets injured or dies because of a lack of blood flow. The most common signs or symptoms of a stroke would be the sudden onset of drooping on one side of the face or facial numbness, or sudden onset of weakness or numbness in an arm or leg, the sudden onset of difficulty with speech or inability to speak, the sudden onset of trouble with your vision or loss of vision.' 'A stroke is a medical emergency' Dr Hoeflinger added that the faster you act, the better the chances of minimising damage and improving outcomes. According to him, don't wait to see if the symptoms go away, call emergency services right away. 'A stroke is a medical emergency. If you witness someone having these signs or symptoms of a stroke, call 911 (to request emergency assistance) and you may just have saved a life,' Dr Hoeflinger said. Are you at risk for stroke? Click here to know that and also learn about the alarming link between hypertension, diabetes and stroke you can't afford to ignore. Note to readers: This article is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
