Memory loss
Encyclopedia
Memory loss can be partial or total and it is normal when it comes with aging
. Sudden memory loss is usually a result of brain trauma
and it may be permanent or temporary. When it is caused by medical conditions such as Alzheimers, the memory loss is gradual and tends to be permanent.
Brain trauma is not the only factor that can cause sudden memory loss. It may appear as a side effect of statin drugs
that are used as treatment for those who have hypercholesterolemia
. Major causes of sudden loss of memory are stroke
s. Other causes are long lasting and recurrent illnesses such as meningitis
or epilepsy
. Mermory loss temporary or permanent can also result from chemical imbalances, exposure to toxic substances, allergies, vitamin
deficiencies (such as those caused by alcoholism
), or extreme mental illness (Major Depressive Disorder).
Confusion or decreased alertness
may be the first symptom of memory loss and also of serious illness, particularly in older adults.
The most worrying symptoms are not those related to things that people forget to do. Some patients may have problems mixing up or remembering words for objects or can have trouble understanding or taking part in a conversation. Being unable to make a simple decision can suggest that something is not working as it should and medical advice
should be sought.
Whether an individual suffers from memory loss is not decided only based on one's symptoms. In order to diagnose the condition a doctor will obtain a detailed medical history of the patient. The patient will also undergo several neuropsychological
tests that will focus on his or her memory functions. Several other medical exams such as an electroencephalography
, an MRI
, or a CT scan can be performed in order to establish an accurate diagnosis.
The main type of memory loss is short-term memory
. Short-term memory refers to memories that last for a few minutes .
. Preventative measures, such as wearing a seat belt while driving or a helmet while biking, can reduce the risk of head injury while participating in dangerous activities.
Eating nutritious
foods and reducing stress
may help prevent memory loss. In addition, it may be helpful to avoid risk factors such as alcohol abuse and exposure to toxic chemicals. As high blood pressure
increases the risk for stroke, and therefore memory loss, blood pressure should be kept under control. Adjustments to lifestyle, such as exercise and smoking cessation, can also further reduce the risk for stroke and brain trauma.
Sudden memory loss cannot be prevented, but patients who experience memory loss as a result aging may keep their brain cells healthy and active with exercise and dietary supplements. However, although some dietary choices and lifestyle changes are suggested, it has not yet been proven to what extent these may reduce the risks of memory loss, especially that caused by aging.
Some specialists recommend that patients drink enough water
for better hydration. Sleep deprivation
and stress are also thought to impact the proper functioning of the brain cells, so it is important to get enough rest and avoid stressful activities.
Socializing is also believed to be beneficial for individuals who may develop memory loss.
Nonetheless, some dietary supplements may be recommended as a means to prevent memory loss. These include multivitamins and mineral complexes, boron
, lecithin
, garlic
, gingko, vitamin B complex, zinc
, copper
, acetylcholine
, DMAE, and vitamin C
with bioflavonoid. Each of these supplements may help in a way or another in maintaining the cells of the brain vigorous and healthy. For instance, garlic is thought to be the brain cell protector and which is considered helpful in cases of memory loss caused by aging. Also, multivitamin and mineral complexes provide the necessary nutrients for the body and brain cells and remove the harmful free radicals. Lecithin is well known for its special properties of improving memory as well as boron, a substance that may enhance the memory function of the brain. Gingko and vitamin C with bioflavonoid are effective in increasing the blood flow
to the brain which is in the end beneficial for the cells and therefore the memory.
Patients whose memory loss is bothersome to the extent that it becomes an issue are encouraged to establish a routine and follow it. Making lists and associations, keeping a detailed calendar
as well as always putting important objects in the same place might also help them in remembering more easily and faster. It has been brought to attention that people who develop mild symptoms of memory loss are more likely to prevent the worsening of the condition if they train their mind by playing strategy games, puzzle
, word games or number puzzles and reading. Basically, stimulating the brain can help patients slow down the processes that cause memory loss.
Treating mild cases of memory loss may consist of herbal medications or a change in lifestyle. The other dietary supplements along with good quality and long sleep and avoiding potential risk factors may also improve the general status of the patient.
Family support plays an important role in treating memory loss. Family members are usually encouraged to take special orientation classes on how to cope with their sick relatives and how to help them improve their condition.
, cortex and frontal lobes. Injuring any of these areas may lead to specific disruptions in the processes of acquiring and restoring memory. For instance, damage to the medial temporal lobe and hippocampus can devastate the ability to acquire new declarative memory
whereas damage to the storage areas in cortex can disrupt retrieval of old memories and interfere with acquisition of new memories.
Ageing
Ageing or aging is the accumulation of changes in a person over time. Ageing in humans refers to a multidimensional process of physical, psychological, and social change. Some dimensions of ageing grow and expand over time, while others decline...
. Sudden memory loss is usually a result of brain trauma
Traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury , also known as intracranial injury, occurs when an external force traumatically injures the brain. TBI can be classified based on severity, mechanism , or other features...
and it may be permanent or temporary. When it is caused by medical conditions such as Alzheimers, the memory loss is gradual and tends to be permanent.
Brain trauma is not the only factor that can cause sudden memory loss. It may appear as a side effect of statin drugs
Statin
Statins are a class of drugs used to lower cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which plays a central role in the production of cholesterol in the liver. Increased cholesterol levels have been associated with cardiovascular diseases, and statins are therefore used in the...
that are used as treatment for those who have hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia
Hypercholesterolemia is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is not a disease but a metabolic derangement that can be caused by many diseases, notably cardiovascular disease...
. Major causes of sudden loss of memory are stroke
Stroke
A stroke, previously known medically as a cerebrovascular accident , is the rapidly developing loss of brain function due to disturbance in the blood supply to the brain. This can be due to ischemia caused by blockage , or a hemorrhage...
s. Other causes are long lasting and recurrent illnesses such as meningitis
Meningitis
Meningitis is inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, known collectively as the meninges. The inflammation may be caused by infection with viruses, bacteria, or other microorganisms, and less commonly by certain drugs...
or epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
. Mermory loss temporary or permanent can also result from chemical imbalances, exposure to toxic substances, allergies, vitamin
Vitamin
A vitamin is an organic compound required as a nutrient in tiny amounts by an organism. In other words, an organic chemical compound is called a vitamin when it cannot be synthesized in sufficient quantities by an organism, and must be obtained from the diet. Thus, the term is conditional both on...
deficiencies (such as those caused by alcoholism
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a broad term for problems with alcohol, and is generally used to mean compulsive and uncontrolled consumption of alcoholic beverages, usually to the detriment of the drinker's health, personal relationships, and social standing...
), or extreme mental illness (Major Depressive Disorder).
Symptoms
Symptoms of memory loss vary from person to person, but can include: forgetting dates and names, beginning a task but then forgetting the purpose of it, getting lost easily, repeating things over and over again, sometimes in the same conversation and having difficulties performing familiar tasks such as driving or baking. They usually occur gradually and may vary in intensity depending on the cause of the condition.Confusion or decreased alertness
Alertness
Alertness is the state of paying close and continuous attention, being watchful and prompt to meet danger or emergency, or being quick to perceive and act. It is related to psychology as well as to physiology...
may be the first symptom of memory loss and also of serious illness, particularly in older adults.
The most worrying symptoms are not those related to things that people forget to do. Some patients may have problems mixing up or remembering words for objects or can have trouble understanding or taking part in a conversation. Being unable to make a simple decision can suggest that something is not working as it should and medical advice
Medical advice
Medical advice is the giving of a formal professional opinion regarding what a specific individual should or should not do to restore or preserve health. Typically, medical advice involves giving a diagnosis, prescribing a treatment for medical condition....
should be sought.
Whether an individual suffers from memory loss is not decided only based on one's symptoms. In order to diagnose the condition a doctor will obtain a detailed medical history of the patient. The patient will also undergo several neuropsychological
Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology studies the structure and function of the brain related to specific psychological processes and behaviors. The term neuropsychology has been applied to lesion studies in humans and animals. It has also been applied to efforts to record electrical activity from individual cells in...
tests that will focus on his or her memory functions. Several other medical exams such as an electroencephalography
Electroencephalography
Electroencephalography is the recording of electrical activity along the scalp. EEG measures voltage fluctuations resulting from ionic current flows within the neurons of the brain...
, an MRI
Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging , nuclear magnetic resonance imaging , or magnetic resonance tomography is a medical imaging technique used in radiology to visualize detailed internal structures...
, or a CT scan can be performed in order to establish an accurate diagnosis.
The main type of memory loss is short-term memory
Short-term memory
Short-term memory is the capacity for holding a small amount of information in mind in an active, readily available state for a short period of time. The duration of short-term memory is believed to be in the order of seconds. A commonly cited capacity is 7 ± 2 elements...
. Short-term memory refers to memories that last for a few minutes .
Reversible Causes Of Memory Loss
- Side effects of Medication:Many drugs can cause cognitive problems and memory loss as a side effects, common in adults. Common drugs that affect memory and brain function include sleeping pills, antihistamines, blood pressure and arthritis medication, antidepressants, anti-anxiety meds, and painkillers.
- Depression: Depression mimics the signs of memory loss.It is a common problem in older adults—especially if you’re less social and active than you used to be or you’ve recently experienced a number of important losses or major life changes (retirement, a serious medical diagnosis, the loss of a loved one, moving out of your home).
- Vitamin B12 Deficiency: Vitamin B12 protects neurons and is vital to healthy brain functioning. In fact, a lack of B12 can cause permanent damage to the brain.However,if you address a vitamin B12 deficiency early, you can reverse the associated memory problems.
Prevention
The most common preventable cause of memory loss is brain trauma, especially trauma resulting from head injuryHead injury
Head injury refers to trauma of the head. This may or may not include injury to the brain. However, the terms traumatic brain injury and head injury are often used interchangeably in medical literature....
. Preventative measures, such as wearing a seat belt while driving or a helmet while biking, can reduce the risk of head injury while participating in dangerous activities.
Eating nutritious
Nutrition
Nutrition is the provision, to cells and organisms, of the materials necessary to support life. Many common health problems can be prevented or alleviated with a healthy diet....
foods and reducing stress
Stress (biology)
Stress is a term in psychology and biology, borrowed from physics and engineering and first used in the biological context in the 1930s, which has in more recent decades become commonly used in popular parlance...
may help prevent memory loss. In addition, it may be helpful to avoid risk factors such as alcohol abuse and exposure to toxic chemicals. As high blood pressure
Hypertension
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a cardiac chronic medical condition in which the systemic arterial blood pressure is elevated. What that means is that the heart is having to work harder than it should to pump the blood around the body. Blood pressure involves two measurements, systolic and...
increases the risk for stroke, and therefore memory loss, blood pressure should be kept under control. Adjustments to lifestyle, such as exercise and smoking cessation, can also further reduce the risk for stroke and brain trauma.
Sudden memory loss cannot be prevented, but patients who experience memory loss as a result aging may keep their brain cells healthy and active with exercise and dietary supplements. However, although some dietary choices and lifestyle changes are suggested, it has not yet been proven to what extent these may reduce the risks of memory loss, especially that caused by aging.
Some specialists recommend that patients drink enough water
Water
Water is a chemical substance with the chemical formula H2O. A water molecule contains one oxygen and two hydrogen atoms connected by covalent bonds. Water is a liquid at ambient conditions, but it often co-exists on Earth with its solid state, ice, and gaseous state . Water also exists in a...
for better hydration. Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation
Sleep deprivation is the condition of not having enough sleep; it can be either chronic or acute. A chronic sleep-restricted state can cause fatigue, daytime sleepiness, clumsiness and weight loss or weight gain. It adversely affects the brain and cognitive function. Few studies have compared the...
and stress are also thought to impact the proper functioning of the brain cells, so it is important to get enough rest and avoid stressful activities.
Socializing is also believed to be beneficial for individuals who may develop memory loss.
Nonetheless, some dietary supplements may be recommended as a means to prevent memory loss. These include multivitamins and mineral complexes, boron
Boron
Boron is the chemical element with atomic number 5 and the chemical symbol B. Boron is a metalloid. Because boron is not produced by stellar nucleosynthesis, it is a low-abundance element in both the solar system and the Earth's crust. However, boron is concentrated on Earth by the...
, lecithin
Lecithin
Lecithin is a generic term to designate any group of yellow-brownish fatty substances occurring in animal and plant tissues, and in egg yolk, composed of phosphoric acid, choline, fatty acids, glycerol, glycolipids, triglycerides, and phospholipids .The word lecithin was originally coined in 1847 by...
, garlic
Garlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent...
, gingko, vitamin B complex, zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
, copper
Copper
Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; an exposed surface has a reddish-orange tarnish...
, acetylcholine
Acetylcholine
The chemical compound acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter in both the peripheral nervous system and central nervous system in many organisms including humans...
, DMAE, and vitamin C
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate is an essential nutrient for humans and certain other animal species. In living organisms ascorbate acts as an antioxidant by protecting the body against oxidative stress...
with bioflavonoid. Each of these supplements may help in a way or another in maintaining the cells of the brain vigorous and healthy. For instance, garlic is thought to be the brain cell protector and which is considered helpful in cases of memory loss caused by aging. Also, multivitamin and mineral complexes provide the necessary nutrients for the body and brain cells and remove the harmful free radicals. Lecithin is well known for its special properties of improving memory as well as boron, a substance that may enhance the memory function of the brain. Gingko and vitamin C with bioflavonoid are effective in increasing the blood flow
Blood flow
Blood flow is the continuous running of blood in the cardiovascular system.The human body is made up of several processes all carrying out various functions. We have the gastrointestinal system which aids the digestion and the absorption of food...
to the brain which is in the end beneficial for the cells and therefore the memory.
Patients whose memory loss is bothersome to the extent that it becomes an issue are encouraged to establish a routine and follow it. Making lists and associations, keeping a detailed calendar
Calendar
A calendar is a system of organizing days for social, religious, commercial, or administrative purposes. This is done by giving names to periods of time, typically days, weeks, months, and years. The name given to each day is known as a date. Periods in a calendar are usually, though not...
as well as always putting important objects in the same place might also help them in remembering more easily and faster. It has been brought to attention that people who develop mild symptoms of memory loss are more likely to prevent the worsening of the condition if they train their mind by playing strategy games, puzzle
Puzzle
A puzzle is a problem or enigma that tests the ingenuity of the solver. In a basic puzzle, one is intended to put together pieces in a logical way in order to come up with the desired solution...
, word games or number puzzles and reading. Basically, stimulating the brain can help patients slow down the processes that cause memory loss.
Treatment
Memory loss can't be treated unless it is caused by a reversible condition. The treatment is greatly dependent on the primary cause of the condition. When memory loss is a symptom of a more severe disease, it may be reversed as soon as the underlying condition is identified and cured. Memory loss due to aging cannot be cured but the symptoms may be improved by following the prevention measures.Treating mild cases of memory loss may consist of herbal medications or a change in lifestyle. The other dietary supplements along with good quality and long sleep and avoiding potential risk factors may also improve the general status of the patient.
Family support plays an important role in treating memory loss. Family members are usually encouraged to take special orientation classes on how to cope with their sick relatives and how to help them improve their condition.
Pathology
The memory is affected by the damage that may occur in the different parts of the brain such as medial temporal lobe, hippocampusHippocampus
The hippocampus is a major component of the brains of humans and other vertebrates. It belongs to the limbic system and plays important roles in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation. Humans and other mammals have two hippocampi, one in...
, cortex and frontal lobes. Injuring any of these areas may lead to specific disruptions in the processes of acquiring and restoring memory. For instance, damage to the medial temporal lobe and hippocampus can devastate the ability to acquire new declarative memory
Declarative memory
Declarative memory is one of two types of long term human memory. It refers to memories which can be consciously recalled such as facts and knowledge. Its counterpart is known as non-declarative or Procedural memory, which refers to unconscious memories such as skills...
whereas damage to the storage areas in cortex can disrupt retrieval of old memories and interfere with acquisition of new memories.
External links
- Memory enhancement that works for Alzheimer's
- http://www.drlwilson.com/articles/food_intolerance.htm
See also
- AmnesiaAmnesiaAmnesia is a condition in which one's memory is lost. The causes of amnesia have traditionally been divided into categories. Memory appears to be stored in several parts of the limbic system of the brain, and any condition that interferes with the function of this system can cause amnesia...
- Google effectGoogle effectThe Google effect is the tendency to forget information that can be easily found using Internet search engines such as Google, instead of remembering it.The phenomenon was described and named by Betsy Sparrow , Jenny Liu and Daniel M...
- Memory errorsMemory errorsMemory gaps and errors refer to the incorrect recall, or complete loss, of information in the memory system for a specific detail and/or event. Memory errors may include remembering events that never occurred, or remembering them differently from the way they actually happened...
- Memory and agingMemory and agingOne of the key concerns of older adults is the experience of memory loss, especially as it is one of the hallmark symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. However, memory loss is qualitatively different in normal aging from the kind of memory loss associated with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's...
- Memory bias