Everyday habits such as falling asleep with earphones or sitting on the toilet for extended periods could be fatal to brain health, a neurologist has warned.
Dr. Bing, a neurologist with approximately 200,000 followers, shared three habits he never practices for brain health on his social media, according to the UK's Daily Mail on Monday (local time).
The first habit he cited is falling asleep wearing earphones or headphones. While listening to white noise or music may seem relaxing, failing to control the volume can cause long-term brain damage, he explained. "Loud sounds damage the hair cells in the inner ear, which over time can increase the risk of hearing loss and dementia," Dr. Bing warned. According to one study, mild hearing loss doubles the risk of developing dementia, while moderate hearing loss triples it. Wearing earphones overnight traps moisture and bacteria in the ear canal, increasing infection risk, and in rare cases, pressure-induced blood flow restriction can cause tissue necrosis. Noise during sleep also disrupts the "glymphatic system," which clears waste from the brain.
The second habit is poor oral hygiene. "According to the latest 2025 research, people with gum disease and multiple cavities have nearly double the risk of stroke," Dr. Bing said, adding that "oral inflammation can lead to cognitive decline and dementia." He said he maintains oral hygiene by using manual floss, water floss, and brushing daily.
The third habit is staying on the toilet for more than five minutes. Sitting for extended periods while looking at a mobile phone is particularly dangerous. "Sitting on the toilet for a long time and straining causes blood to pool in the legs and can cause blood pressure to drop sharply," Dr. Bing explained. "If blood flow to the brain becomes insufficient, it can lead to fainting—I actually witness such cases every week in clinical practice."
