Is It Actually Possible to Prevent Memory Loss

We all know that prevention is better than cure; it may be a cliché, but that does not make it any less true. Now this NY Times article contemplates if it is possible to actually prevent memory loss. If you have been a regular reader of this blog you would know that there are many ways to keep our minds in good working order. Here is a recap of that:

• Mental Exercise for the Brain

• Physical Exercise for the Brain

• How to Improve Memory

• Memory Boosting Drugs

• Fish Oil for the Brain

• Vitamins for the Brain

• Ayurveda and Memory Loss

So there are several ways that will keep our minds working well and ways to keep dementia at bay as far as is possible.

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Good Health Tips for Baby Boomers

The baby boomer generation, is an entire generation, not just a group of people that are reaching a stage of their lives, when the aches and pains are making themselves felt, the stairs are beginning to resemble mountains, getting out of chairs is an effort in itself and as for squatting; that has not been possible in a while! For this generation of people as a demographic, there is the need to pay special attention to health, laying emphasis on healthy eating, proper activity and making sure that ailments such as blood pressure, diabetes, stress, obesity and other attendant problems are kept within check. For this, it is important to:

Make a Start:

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Ayurveda and Memory Loss

Ayurveda is something that is viewed by Western medicine as ‘alternative’ or ‘complementary’ medicine. It is the system of traditional medicine that emerged and has evolved through the ages in India. Ayurveda stresses mainly on plant based medicine and uses different kinds of oils, spices and minerals for its curative procedures. The use of turmeric and neem for the cure of various ills is well known and when these were sought to be patented in the US, these patents were cancelled on the grounds that these were generically used in a vast majority of India households over the centuries.

Ayurveda also has been seen to help in cases where memory loss has been a problem with patients. Ayurveda even otherwise produces formulations for improvement of memory for students or others who wish to improve their retentive powers. The traditional plant Bhrahmi is considered to be highly beneficial for the improvement of memory.

Ayurveda prescribes read more

Memory Loss Resulting from Menopause

There is the normal loss of memory that occurs with aging and then there is a kind of memory loss, forgetfulness, fuzzy thinking, problems in concentration and learning new things, trouble finding the right words that comes as a side effect of the process of menopause. This can be very scary indeed, leading some to think (erroneously) that this is the early onset of dementia or that most dreaded of diseases, Alzheimer's.

However there is no reason to panic if the memory loss is occurring along with other menopausal symptoms; it is most likely a temporary phase. Studies have shown that Women going through the menopause suffer from temporary loss of memory and learning ability. This can be disconcerting for the women, but not an awful lot to worry about.

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How Do Memory Loss Drugs Work?

Memory loss drugs are taken to help ease problems such as Alzheimer's disease, dementia due to Lewy bodies, vascular dementia and other types of memory loss. Many of these drugs promise amazing and seemingly miraculous results. This then brings us to the question as to how these drugs work. I found some useful information about some if the popular memory loss drugs here, and also some information about how they work:

Drugs like Tacrine, or Cognex, Donepezil, or Aricept, Galantamine, or Razadyne, and Rivastigmine, or Exelon, increase levels of acetylcholine in the brain, thereby slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s. Side effects of some of these drugs may include gastrointestinal discomfort.

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Alcohol and Dementia

It is well known that alcohol abuse or alcoholism has many negative effects on a person’s life, which can be physical and mental as well as social in nature. According to wiki the ill effects to physical health associated with alcohol consumption may include cirrhosis of the liver, pancreatitis, epilepsy, polyneuropathy, heart disease, increased chance of cancer, nutritional deficiencies, sexual dysfunction, and death from many sources.

Among the detrimental effects of alcohol on brain function and thus psychological well being are conditions such as anxiety and depression disorders, with as many as 25% of alcoholics presenting with severe psychiatric disturbances. Chronic alcohol misuse can also cause panic disorder to develop or worsen. There can also be very serious social repercussions of alcoholism, a person’s interpersonal relationships, and professional abilities can also be impaired due to alcohol dependence. Marital conflict, domestic violence and divorce can all be the negative effects of alcoholism.

While it is well known that alcohol abuse kills brain cells now there is increased evidence that binge drinking increases the risk of dementia.

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Age Related Memory Loss

It is true that we age and that our brain inevitably ages with us. What is also true is that the decline in our brains does then lead to memory lapses and other difficulties. The good news is that this does not happen to everyone, and the severity of it is not uniform. There is no reason why many of us won’t continue to live happy, healthy, fruitful lives even in the twilight of our years.

In fact general aging and age related memory loss will not affect the following functions:
• How to do the things you’ve always done and do often
• The wisdom and knowledge you’ve acquired from life experience
• Your innate common sense
• The ability to form reasonable arguments and judgments
• The ability to learn new skills and make then routine (though it might take longer)

The memory may be affected in these following ways, which is par for the course and nothing to worry about:

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