Supporting brain health and memory

Brain health basics

Around 1 million people in the UK are thought to be living with dementia, many more may have other problems with their brain including issues with mood, memory and communication. When you are undertaking an operation there is also a risk of confusion while you are unwell (delirium) – this page will offer some more information about these conditions and what you can do to support your brain and prevent them.

It’s never too early or late to start thinking about protecting our brains. And research shows that taking steps to improve our health in our 30s, 40s and 50s can be especially important in helping to lower our risk of developing dementia in later life. This is because changes in the brain associated with diseases like Alzheimer’s, that cause memory loss and thinking problems, can start decades before any symptoms show.