#csf brain

[narayan-074246]

Child active brain

Boost Your Child's Brain with These Nutrient-Rich Foods

Every parent wants their child to succeed—whether that means doing well in school, being emotionally balanced, or having the ability to think creatively and solve problems. While we can’t control every aspect of a child’s development, one powerful and often overlooked factor is diet. Nutrition plays a critical role in the physical and cognitive growth of children, especially during their formative years. In fact, the food your child eats directly influences how their brain develops, functions, and performs.

Just as the body needs fuel to run, the brain also requires specific nutrients to work at its best. Certain foods are particularly beneficial for cognitive functions such as memory, attention, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Feeding your child a well-balanced diet full of brain-boosting foods can help enhance their mental performance, focus, and long-term learning ability.

Let’s explore why nutrition is essential for brain health, and which nutrient-rich foods can give your child the best start in life.

The Link Between Nutrition and Brain Development

The human brain grows rapidly during childhood. During this time, neurons are forming new connections at astonishing speeds. This growth requires a steady supply of energy and nutrients to support cell development, communication, and protection. Nutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, B-vitamins, antioxidants, iron, zinc, and amino acids all play unique and vital roles in the functioning of the brain.

Children who are malnourished or lack key nutrients are more likely to suffer from learning difficulties, attention disorders, and emotional instability. Conversely, a nutrient-dense diet not only supports better academic performance but also strengthens mood regulation, memory retention, and overall brain resilience.

Top Nutrient-Rich Foods for Brain Health

Here are some of the most effective brain-boosting foods to include in your child's diet:

1. Fatty Fish (Salmon, Sardines, Tuna, Mackerel)

Fatty fish is one of the best sources of omega-3 fatty acids, particularly DHA and EPA. These essential fats make up a large part of the brain’s structure and play a critical role in cognitive functioning, including memory, focus, and mood. Studies have shown that children who consume omega-3-rich foods perform better on intelligence tests and exhibit fewer behavioral problems.

How to serve: Grilled salmon tacos, tuna sandwiches, or baked fish fingers are kid-friendly options.

2. Eggs

Eggs are an excellent source of choline, which is essential for the development of brain cells and the production of neurotransmitters. They also contain protein, vitamin B12, and vitamin D, all of which support nerve function and brain development.

How to serve: Scrambled for breakfast, boiled as a snack, or added to fried rice and salads.

3. Berries (Blueberries, Strawberries, Raspberries, Blackberries)

Berries are packed with antioxidants, especially vitamin C and flavonoids, which help protect the brain from oxidative stress. These compounds improve blood flow to the brain, enhance neuron signaling, and support memory and learning.

How to serve: Add berries to smoothies, yogurt, or whole-grain cereals for a colorful and nutritious start to the day.

4. Leafy Green Vegetables (Spinach, Kale, Broccoli)

Leafy greens are high in folate, vitamin K, lutein, and beta-carotene, all of which contribute to brain health and help in slowing cognitive decline. These vegetables also provide iron, which is essential for delivering oxygen to brain cells.

How to serve: Blend greens into fruit smoothies, mix into pasta sauces, or bake into muffins and casseroles.

5. Nuts and Seeds (Walnuts, Almonds, Chia Seeds, Flaxseeds)

Nuts and seeds provide healthy fats, vitamin E, zinc, and antioxidants. These nutrients support the formation of cell membranes and protect the brain from free radical damage. Walnuts in particular are known for their high omega-3 content and brain-like shape—perhaps nature’s hint at their benefits!

How to serve: Add to oatmeal, trail mix, or as nut butter spread on whole-grain toast or apple slices.

6. Whole Grains (Oats, Brown Rice, Whole Wheat, Quinoa)

Whole grains supply glucose, the brain’s primary source of energy. They also contain B-vitamins, iron, and fiber which help maintain steady energy levels and support concentration and alertness throughout the school day.

How to serve: Serve whole-grain bread for sandwiches, brown rice with dinner, or oatmeal for breakfast.

7. Greek Yogurt

Greek yogurt is rich in protein and probiotics, which are beneficial for gut health—and a healthy gut can improve mental health and brain function. It also contains iodine, important for brain development, especially in younger children.

How to serve: Top yogurt with fruit and granola or use it as a base for dips and smoothies.

8. Avocados

Avocados are packed with monounsaturated fats, which support healthy blood flow to the brain. They’re also a good source of vitamin E, folate, and potassium, which are essential for cognitive function and neural activity.

How to serve: Mash for avocado toast, slice into salads, or blend into smoothies for a creamy texture.

Encouraging Healthy Eating in Kids

Children can be picky eaters, so it’s important to be creative and patient. Here are a few tips to make brain-boosting nutrition more enjoyable and sustainable:

Make meals colorful: A rainbow of fruits and vegetables is not only more nutritious but also more visually appealing to children.

Involve your kids in cooking: Children are more likely to try foods they’ve helped prepare. Let them wash vegetables, stir ingredients, or choose between two healthy options.

Be a role model: Eat brain-healthy foods yourself. Children learn habits by observing adults.

Offer variety: Rotate different foods to prevent boredom and ensure a range of nutrients.

Limit sugar and processed foods: Excess sugar and additives can impair cognitive performance and contribute to hyperactivity and mood swings.

The Long-Term Benefits of Brain-Friendly Nutrition

The choices you make today about your child’s diet can have lasting impacts. Nutrient-rich foods not only enhance immediate academic performance and focus but also contribute to better long-term brain health. Studies suggest that children who eat balanced diets are less likely to suffer from depression, anxiety, or learning disabilities as they grow older.

Moreover, instilling healthy eating habits early in life sets the stage for a lifetime of well-being. When children learn to value nutrition, they’re more likely to make better choices as adults.

Conclusion

Feeding your child a diet rich in brain-nourishing foods is one of the most meaningful investments you can make in their development. With the right nutrients, the brain can flourish—leading to improved focus, better memory, emotional balance, and greater learning potential.

Whether it’s a breakfast smoothie packed with berries and yogurt, a salmon sandwich for lunch, or a hearty dinner with leafy greens and whole grains, every bite can contribute to a sharper, healthier mind. Start today by incorporating a ariety of these nutrient-dense foods into your child’s meals. Their growing brain will thank you—not just now, but for years to come.

For more read

[an-organized-confusion]

Roman: I want to wriiite. This is SO annoying!

Logan: You didn't get a full night's sleep, therefore your brain hasn't had a timely chance to flush/filter your CSF. In other words, you've cognitively tied your hands and... as Patton would say it, whining and being mean to yourself isn't going to change matters. Your only option is to either rest or be patient.

[Roman throws tantrum anyways.]

[bpod-bpod]

Fluid’s Bad Influence

Cerebrospinal fluid induces resistance to chemotherapy in glioblastoma (GBM) brain tumour cells – clues to improved therapy strategies for this hard to treat aggressive cancer

Read the published research paper here

This is International Brain Tumour Awareness Week – 29.10–5.11 2023

Image from work by Brett W. Stringer, Manam Inushi De Silva and Zarina Greenberg, and colleagues

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), Laboratory for Human Neurophysiology and Genetics, Adelaide, SA, Australia

Image originally published with a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Published in Science Advances, October 2023

You can also follow BPoD on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook

[problem-project]

Just found out there's a 50/50 chance I need brain surgery 🥴

[medullomama]

February 6th, 2025

Double lumen CVL inserted, went as expected, no complications. Out patient surgery, same day discharge.

February 13th, 2025

Chemo cycle 1, day 1.

Z was feeling good, his stitches were healing well, my sister came to stay with us to look after M for a few days without her having to come to the hospital all day.

February 17th, 2025

Last day of chemo delayed due to persistent fever and changes in the pseudomeningocele under his craniotomy site.

Neurosurgery tapped it to send the fluid for testing. Infectious disease came to meet with us to get some more history, especially as we had been living in North Africa for an extended period.

February 20th, 2025

It was determined that Z had a staph infection in his CSF, he had been started on vancomycin on the 17th and it was found to be the antibiotic that would work best against his infection so it was to be continued for 2 weeks.

Z also got his first NG tube inserted on this day after 5 days of not eating or drinking anything other than water.

[draconicace]

hm. still have the headache from yesterday that only gets better when laying down. that's probably not a good thing

[ihaveneverbeenasleep]

Because of the pain intensifying directly behind my eye, and my optic nerves being completely dry of CSF, I’m now at risk for blindness. Any fear I had of possible brain surgeries is just gone. I just don’t want to lose my eyesight 😭

I’ve already lost my peripheral

[samreensway]

SURGICAL ANATOMY STATION OF BRAIN | CSF | CIRCLE OF WILLIS 

SURGICAL ANATOMY STATION OF BRAIN | CSF | CIRCLE OF WILLIS MRCS B OSCE - MOCK EXAM Bli medlem i kanalen för att få åtkomst till flera förmåner: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkkvon_blxinTHc7DGuYkpQ/join 

[bishiglomper]

YA KNOW WHAT

I think I MIGHT actually have a mild brain fluid leak 🤔

Listen listen listen-

My nose. Is constantly wet. The wells at the bottom of my nostrils just always have water in them. I am CONSTANTLY just dabbing at it with a tissue. All fuckin' day.

And I can use said tissue, a normal kleenex ALL day. Because it dries like water. Theres no slime or stickiness so it doesnt get stiff or crinkled.

Also, it does absolutely no good to blow my nose. A little bit of extra water comes out, but it doesn't like. Bring down anything.

I dont have drainage down my throat. I don't know if that's for or against my theory though. 👀

I have been sneezing a shit ton. So, allergies are still a possability. ☝

I think this has been going on for over a year. I think it's also gotten worse the last several months because I'm way more aware of it and thus annoyed.

I constantly have a tissue to my nose shoving it up there to absorb as much moisture as I can at once, I'm sure it's not very attractive.

The other thing is my ears leak. Just at night. Every night. My nose is fine though. Like they SWITCH. And I'm a side sleeper.

The fluid coming out of my ears is clear. My ears themselves are clean. They don't get waxy.

I've have tried searching all sorts of ways to figure out how my ears would leak from allergies, like I've been told it was, but I'm still getting that it would be wax. I don't have swimmers ear or infection. I know THIS has been going on for several years.

I don't remember if antihistimines stop any of this, I will experiment further with that. 👀

There's a few dozen other symptoms that come with CSF. I have maybe 1/4 of them.

Neck pain and stiffness. I don't know if this is caused by that or just tension.

I always have a mild headache. From 2-4. The migraine shot every month helps a lot but I'm still getting worse the last week or two before then.

I get light sensitivity so very easily. It ranges just from discomfort to straight up my eyes start watering. The other day it was super cloudy and it still felt too damn bright.

I always have vertigo. That is also at about a 3. It does get worse if i bend down but clears up after a second. (Though last night i had a more intense, several moments lasting one... vision actually blurred: another symptom)

Bending over and seeing if your face drips is a test for it, but that is SO uncomfortable for me, i tense my whole body and hold my breath and can't do it for more than a few seconds so.. That test hasnt worked for me

I do get mildly nauseous fairly regularly but i figured that was a precurser to a migraine. I'll start dry heaving If i don't take a zofran right away..

Another is balance and gait problems. 👀💦 that is a problem. I may have had that my whole life though. Though it has gotten worse the last several years. I've tried to do balance training sort of things. And my gait is just super small. (I think that's all thats wrong with it. I don't know if i zigzag or anything. It may just be a hip problem..)

CSF is usually caused by an injury. My theory is when I was 15, I went on a fair ride called the zipper. Its the pod with a weight at the other end that flings you around in a circle. Upside down and all. They sent me like 3x in a row because there wasnt a line. That was the first time I ever felt ill from a ride. I literally had to lay down for like half an hour in the grass before I could move.

And I could never go on a spinny ride ever again without getting extremely nauseous. 😥 Like just doing a slow 360 in a spinny chair makes me ill.

Breaks my heart because my FAVORITEST ride at our amusement park was that huge tube that spun so much you stick to the wall and they drop the floor. It was my life's goal to be one of those people who could turn yourself upside down then 🤣😭

So yeah, I think that's gonna be the next thing i bring up with my doctor. 🤔 I see her in a month but I might just straight up tell her "Hey I want some tests" now.

[mindless-bibliophile]

Okay so, recently I’ve been rewatching this show called Person of Interest, and my brain said. Well.

—

Fox, setting blasters to kill: And remember, aim for the kneecaps. We need them alive

-

Fox: *tackles a guy, shoving both himself and the bad guy out of a four-story window*

*a thud is heard as they hit something*

Stone and Thire: *look out the window*

Fox, having landed on the guy instead of the speeder: *gets up, is completely uninjured*

Fox: *shrugs in a “What?” gesture before heading back inside*

Stone: Wonder Boy’s got issues tonight, huh?

Thire: He’s working on it

Stone: Hope that guy has health insurance

-

Thorn: We’re going to go steal a jet

Thire: That does sound like fun

-

Grizzer: *is happily chewing on something*

Fox and Thorn: *enter the room*

Fox: Wait

Thorn:

Fox:

Fox: That’s a grenade launcher

Thorn: :§

-

Stone, to his comm: Call Fox’s ex-brother-in-law twice removed

Thire: *picks up*

Thire: What do you want

-

Satine: I am extremely uncomfortable being here Commander-!

Fox, lining up a sniper rifle: And I am extremely uncomfortable having you here, but I need a spotter.

-

Fox: Well, the other commanders are mad at me, and my batchmates are mad at me too

Riyo, laughing: What, did you shoot someone else or something?

Fox:

Riyo:

Riyo: Fox.

Fox: It was hot out

-

Fox: Are you eating something near my desk?!

Thire: *stops chewing* maybe

-

Fox, on a call with Hound: And we need to make sure that- what is that noise?

Hound: I made the grievous error of buying Grizzer a squeaky toy

-

Fox: I’m proud of you Riyo. You’ve really gotten comfortable with your breaking and entering duties.

Riyo, sarcastically: thank you for appreciating my descent into deviant behavior

-

Palpatine: You miss me between busting drug dealers?

Fox: Yeah. I missed you like I miss an intestinal parasite

-

Stone: Woah, hold up Coco Puffs. I can’t let you in there. CSF has custody over over the crime scene now, the Guard are just watching over it until they get here

Quinlan Vos, flashing a fake badge: Lionel King, Coruscant Security Forces

Stone: Oh give me a break

Vos: Stone, you don’t want to be uncooperative with a security officer, do you?

Stone: If you’re involved? I don’t want nothin’ to do with this

[squidbian-ink]

made this comic for my online class about how I shower/bathe with my current disability/illness. people seemed to really like it so here ya go lol

help me with ongoing medical bills :)

also, quick explanation for what a csf leak is if anyone needs it:

A CSF leak is when a small amount of brain fluid escapes your spine every time you're upright, causing your brain to literally get sucked into your spinal column if you try and sit or stand up. The only way to relieve symptoms from this condition is to remain flat at all times.

theoretically it can be 'cured' if you find the hole where the fluid is leaking from, but considering a hole as tiny as 1mm can cause symptoms, leaks can often be quite lengthy and challenging to treat. The average DIAGNOSTIC wait time alone is 13 months.

I'm personally at 18 mnths with a clinically suspected but not imaging confirmed leak. yaay :')

[3liza]

Hi I found your blog while looking for information on medical corsetry (I have a connective tissue disorder) and saw your post about your neck pain/new symptoms. I hope this doesn’t come off as presumptuous or invasive but I had very similar symptoms that turned out to be a csf leak and craniocervical instability/brain stem impingement. You also might want to look into Eagle Syndrome/cervical vascular compression/intercranial hypertension as those can cause similar symptoms as well. Hope you can get some answers soon!

oh dear. I've been wondering what the deal is with the clear fluid leaking out of my ears and nose at weird times. I have a neurology appointment in a couple days so this is very well timed, thank you

[howtofightwrite]

How effective is clapping (boxing?) someone's ears in a fight? Like on a scale from like mild annoyance to taking someone out of a fight entirely. Something about it always seemed childish but I swear I've read something about the pressure change really messing up your eardrum and inner ear.

Boxing the ears works very well.

Your sense of balance is regulated by a fluid filled organ in your inner ear. Sensory hair cells track the way the fluid moves, or more accurately, fails to move, when your head and body move around. This is the fundamental, physiological basis, for your ability to tell up from down.

Unsurprisingly, when you get that fluid moving and doing things it's not supposed to, your body's ability to maintain your balance starts to experience some “difficulties.”

The inner ear works off some fairly reasonable expectations for how things will behave. Unfortunately, when those expectations are no longer true, for example if someone just delivered a shock of air pressure down both ear canals, it becomes surprisingly difficult to override that information.

So, when you box someone's ears, you can temporarily disrupt someone's balance, and if executed correctly, it can even cause them to crumple to the floor. Now it doesn't actually incapacitate them, and you can power through your inner ear getting slightly stirred from a hit (though, it's not going to be a fun experience. Especially if your body stumbles across the idea that your balance issues are from a poison you consumed, in which case expect to throw up. Though, if you have the ability to weaponize that, being able to literally throw up into your opponent's face is one way to offer a very clear opinion on getting your ears boxed.)

However, that's the shallow end. Boxing the ears can, as you mentioned, cause an ear drum to pop. This isn't quite as simple as it might first seem, as there are a lot of ways this blow can cause temporary or permanent damage to the ear and your ability to hear, ranging from the membrane itself being perforated (though, that's more likely if there's a sharpened object getting driven into their ear, or “ossicular dislocation,” where the bones you rely on to make the ear drum work become separated (and fixing this will require surgery.) However, it can get muchworse if enough force is applied.

There are a lot of delicate bits of bone in this part of the skull (including the malleus, incus, and stapes mentioned in the previous paragraph.) A lot of these are part of the temporal bone as a whole, but breaking parts of that can have some really unpleasant side effects including, and I'm not exaggerating (much), your brain leaking from your ear or sinuses. (Though, it's far more common that this leakage is cerebrospinal fluid, rather than the brain itself which is usually non-life threatening, and those injuries dotend to heal on their own, but in rare cases surgery is necessary to deal with CSF leakage.) Which is to say, it can get reallybad.

So, in a word, “yeah.” Boxing the ears works. A fairly light tap to both at the same times can completely scramble someone's sense of balance for a few minutes, and if you can land the hits, it is a valid way to create an opening for a hasty exit. The more catastrophic outcomes are extremely unlikely unless you're driving a lot more force into their skull, or get supremely unlucky.

Now, “supremely unlucky,” can still happen, and you are battering someone's skull, so boxing their ears isn't exactly, “safe,” but as intentional strikes to the head go, it's one of the less dangerous options. Then again, it's also not trying to do much to your foe.

-Starke

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[lutawolf]

Loveliest Luta, everything is awful but I hope your health is better. I’m in desperate need of some escapism, what might you have to suggest?

Hey my love,

Well, everything looked like it was going back good. Then shit hit the fan again. I have a neurological disorder called diopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). It's a condition where there is increased pressure inside the skull without there being a brain tumor. The exact cause of pseudotumor cerebri is unknown, but it is thought to be related to an imbalance in the production or absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord. 

It is rare (1 in 100,000) but more common in women of child bearing age. However, my daughters have a 50% chance of getting it. Well, my youngest the 9-year-old started having headaches, so I took her to the eye doctor and they found brain swelling. After a terrifying week, we got an MRI, and we find out she has my condition. My twelve-year-old son then goes in for his regular eye exam, and guess what they found. The chances of him having this were less that 1% but here we are.

On the positive, unlike me, it was caught in time and there has been no damage. They are also responding very well to a low sodium diet. However, learning the ins and outs of a low sodium diet for everyone is a bit exhausting, so you can imagine why I just don't have it in me for anything else. This could have been way worse, so I'm thankful for the blessings I've received, but there is a whole lot of adjusting going on.

I have, however, started watching Unnatural Fire and listening to the audiobook of Malicious Empress of Military Lineage. If you try either one of these, let me know what you think.

[skyemandel]

Hi everyone! 5 years ago was diagnosed as having an atypical case of a rare condition called Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension. Body thinks my brain has a tumor that isn’t there, so I get a lot of symptoms. It’s made my epilepsy twice as bad and I have some permanent brain and vision damage. It takes away my ability to see, move, speak, and makes me be barely able to breathe. It gives me CSF leaks (14) which throw my heart rate into heart attack levels just by tilting my head. It looks like I’ve developed another condition on top of this due to the stress on my body that is leaving me near bed-bound again even on my best days with my IIH and epilepsy. I’ve struck out in 3 states for care and have tried over 50 doctors, but most don’t even know what the condition is. I need to move across the country to Los Angeles, CA to go to a hospital there that specializes in atypical cases of this condition like mine. The longer this drags out, the sicker I get. Please, if you can, share this. My cat currently lives in another state with my ex until I can find a place where I can keep her. I want to be reunited with my baby and get a second chance at life. Thank you if you’ve read this far 🖤❤️ Here’s the link, and here’s my baby, Navi. https://www.gofundme.com/f/journey-to-life-out-of-the-dark

[pancakeke]

possible eating disorder talk under the cut but idk if this counts. but i need advice on needing to lose weight for medical reasons without losing my shit

my doctor keeps telling me that I need to lose weight to deal with my CSF issue (idiopathic intracranial hypertension), and there is literally no other permanent treatment for this except surgery to install a shunt in my spinal cord. and I'd rather not create the potential for more complications with my fucking brain.

but it's impossible for me to diet without becoming obsessive and trying to restrict food plus exercise in a way that drives my net calories for each day down as close to zero as possible.

I don't know what my problem is but after a week or two of eating healthier and getting past sugar cravings dieting becomes a numbers game to me and i drive myself insane trying to maximize efficiency.

like I lost over 80 lbs in six months the first time I did this. another time i lost a little over 50 lbs in a few months. there were also handful of other dieting attempts that didn't last very long because they hit my mental health too hard too fast and I had to bail for my sanity.

I have not communicated this to my doctor yet but frankly most of the shit I say gets ignored so I'm hesitant to start crying in the office trying to explain this only to be brushed off. also I'm not so sure he's going to take me seriously now that I'm clinically obese.

this dude (optho-neurologist) keeps telling me to go to my primary care doctor and get ozempic but like i am not taking another medication unless i have absolutely need it to function.

but i am serious that there are no other real options for dealing with IIH other than putting a permanent lumbar puncture in my spine. and I really do not want to do that. but if I don't do either of these things, I risk permanent damage to my optic nerves.

there's a medication I can take that reduces CSF pressure but the side effects are such a hit to my quality of life and mental health that I am afraid to go back on them again. It gives me constant stomach pain, nausea, and acid reflux and it makes my larger joints (hips, shoulders, knees, elbows) hurt so bad that my quality of sleep tanks hard. plus the pain makes it difficult to crawl around doing DIY projects. and it's a diuretic so it makes me piss constantly and get dehydrated super easily, which really fucks with what I suspect may be undiagnosed POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome).

I explained the joint pain stuff to my doctor twice and both times he told me that it's not a known side effect even though it's noted on sites about the drug (Mayo Clinic). I refuse to take that shit anymore.

anyway. idk. how do I tell my doctor that i can't diet without going insane. and how do I diet without going insane.