What Can I Do for Memory Improvement?

There are several outside forces that can affect one's memory. As has been
found in many other areas, diet is one link to impairing memory. Another
well-known affecter of our memory is lack of physical exercise. Of course,
there are foreign substances we put into our unsuspecting bodies, such as drugs
or alcohol, even prescription drugs can have a negative effect. Injuries or
traumatic events can affect memories, as can diseases. Inadequate mental and
indeed even spiritual stimulation has long been known to damage our minds,
bodies and emotions.

Let's explore the life stressors in connection with memory impairment. If you
have a life that is in turmoil on a daily basis, unorganized and over packed
with activities, never allowing yourself adequate care, your memory is certain
to develop some degree of suffering. It is surely something that will require
some thought and time to repair. You must first take stock of your priorities.
How well do you care for your mind and body? Maybe you think a quick rush to
the gym will do the trick. The key here is 'rush'.

Rushing around is one area where we cause our mental health to suffer.
Long-term turmoil is not our friend, and rushing is something that can become
an unwelcome habit. Some people who crave a smoother, more relaxing routine
have to actually be taught how to achieve it because they have become so
accustomed to rushing through their day.

There may be more than one area you'll have to change in your life to obtain
memory improvement. One important step to healthy memory function is to get
more oxygen to your brain. Proper blood flow and plenty of oxygen are two
factors that must not be overlooked. You can achieve these by learning
breathing exercises. This can help clear your mind, give it a boost, and
relieve stress. Even if it is only temporary, it is still an important step in
beginning your journey to memory improvement.

Another important step to improvement is eating properly. A well-rounded diet
can benefit in many ways, and often the benefits to memory function are
overlooked. The diet can affect the physical health, obviously. But if you
aren't in good physical health, how can you also be in the best health
mentally? The mind depends on the body to work at its best for the mind to work
well.

What about the living environment? Can a dirty home affect your memory? Maybe
it sounds absurd, but yes, it can. If your senses are constantly subjected to
anything negative, it will begin to affect your brain health. A clean home
doesn't just look better, it can increase your happiness and sense of peace,
which will in turn calm you and allow your mind and memory to focus on more
productive thoughts.

Not only does the sight of your clean home allow improvement in your life, the
smell of a clean home can be uplifting as well. So, bring out those candles or
potpourri, room sprays, and cleaning supplies!

Various Ways To Improve Memory

So you have forgotten where have you kept your spectacles once again. You have
tried finding it everywhere only to realize there it is dangling on your head.
These circumstances not only make you feel a butt of jokes but starts
questioning your state of mind. If this continues to happen on a daily basis it
can disgust not you alone but everyone around you. Far too many people suffer
memory loss but it typically depends on the frequency of forgetting. Today's
lifestyle is so demanding that we have barely anytime for ourselves this often
leads to important information or at times generic information slipping thru
our brain. To add to the woes the diet that we take barely does anything to
replenish our brain Unhealthy habit sans exercises has left us living a robotic
life. But unfortunately unlike robots our brains are not fitted with computers
and it depends on healthy habits, right diet and proper exercise to improve
memory.

Following are the various ways to improve memory:

One should exercise regularly to keep the mind and body active and attentive.
As they say healthy body houses healthy brain. One can also improve memory by
keeping the brain active by actively participating in brainteasers and games.
One such easy and good game is "Memory" that can be played with a pack of
playing cards. The best part about this game is that it can be played alone and
with as many as four people. All one has to do is to spread the card evenly on a
surface and lift and match the characters. If the characters do not match place
the card back to where it was picked up from and wait until after a few chances
a match is available and remember where the previous character was laid in the
entire bunch of cards. The one who matches more cards wins. Or if you like to
play with words try playing scrabble another word game that can challenge your
memory and will shake up your vocabulary treasure trove.

These games help improve memory and physiological functioning. Learning new
skills also helps the motor capacity of brain by challenging it. Joining a
language school to learn a new language can be quite helpful other than this
learning to play new instruments can also be more involving and mentally
stressing. Taking the help of technology is also not a bad idea. As more and
more computer games are developed one can try to play games that is refreshing
and challenging. The coordination it develops between the mind and hand is also
great for motor development. Exercise and Yoga helps to keep mind fresh by
helping its concentration power to develop thru meditation. It helps our body
in two days, first by relaxing our body and second by developing our alert
system. The better circulation of blood helps to bring tandem to our brain
thereby improving its efficiency.

Relaxation is equally an important element of physical well being for body and
brain. As stress causes remembering to become difficult and lose focus. Serious
stress related problems calls for a physical examination by a doctor as it can
lead to other problem such as insomnia that detoriates mental health and makes
memorizing miserable. Our busy schedule barely allows us to keep sync with our
body and brain and leads to serious illness leading to destabilize our memory
functions. If our brain is involved in various things the same time it can
barely concentrate on one thing and makes for a terrible memory. So in order to
improve memory we first need to alter our lifestyle and indulge in good health
practices such as regular exercising and healthy eating.

To Improve What? Oh Yes, Memory!

How many times have you had the exact word you needed on the tip of your tongue
only to have it tease and evade your memory? Who hasn't written a list to
remember and then forgotten the list! Or perhaps you asked someone to help you
remember and they forgot. Maybe you hid something from yourself in a special
place you were sure to recall and spent weeks searching for the item because
you forgot where you hid it. How many Easter eggs have been hidden, only to rot
several days later because the person who hid the eggs forgot where they put
them? What about that person you spent weeks secretly adoring, finally got the
perfect chance to make their acquaintance, and then suffered a mental freeze?

Was a bill paid late because you forgot to make a note on your calendar, notes
you try to remember to transfer from each month previous? Did you forget
someone's birthday, someone like your child or parent or, Heaven forbid, your
spouse? Did you forget to feed your dog, and then get angry because he's
persistently trying to get your attention while you're busy with an important
call? Was that you who were asked by your loving wife or husband to bring a
drink on a hot day of yard work, while your loved one tolls away with their
chores as you relax in the air conditioning? Oops! Sorry, honey. By the way,
that silly doctor's office called, you missed your appointment you were adamant
they squeeze into their busy schedule. Oh, dear, was that today?

Sometimes it seems that no matter what we do to try to jog our memories, they
betray us at the worst possible moments. Children are forgotten at school,
standing in the car pick-up line. The groceries are left to ruin in the back
seat of the car because the phone rang just as you opened the front door. A bag
is left at the store holding something you bought that shows on your receipt,
but got lost because of the many bags you had to maneuver into the buggy while
holding the crying baby. A cup is balanced on top of a vehicle, only to topple
off as the driver pulls away.

Every day people somewhere complain about memory loss, mostly temporary and
short-term memory loss. Many times it is simply a result of preoccupation and
jammed, hectic schedules. Sometimes it is from lack of sleep due to illness of
one's self or one's child, or a night spent in a hospital by a loved one's side.

Proper rest and relaxation are important for normal mental function. Harried
families often neglect to even allow themselves relief on a vacation, often
times returning more tired and mentally stressed than before their trip. Yet,
the solution can be so simple as to be overlooked. What is the answer? Take
care of yourself. Learn how much is too much and start saying no, whether to
yourself or to someone needing just a tiny little favor that throws your whole
schedule out of whack when you are already stressed enough.

The Words Evade Me

If you've ever felt like you're losing your mind because you're drawing mental
blanks more often it's time to examine your cause for memory loss. Sometimes
there is more than one change to be made for a person to get back to normal
with their ability to remember.

Are you stressing yourself too much by taking on too many projects at once?
This will cause you to become preoccupied, and you may feel as though you can't
afford to take the time to relax and recharge your brain. But to do the best job
no matter what the job, one must take care of oneself. Besides the physical
damage of overworking, over-thinking will lead to mental meltdown. Your
short-term memory will begin to suffer, causing you to forget even the simplest
of words.

So, first consider if there is anything you can do to ease your burden, like
learning to say no when you already have too much on your agenda. Let someone
else take over when possible, delegate responsibilities, learn to stop giving
so much of yourself that you begin to suffer because of it. It's easy to do too
much for your loved ones, especially. Mothers (or fathers) decide that something
may be done faster or done in a more satisfactory way, so they neglect to allow
their children to handle things they are really quite capable of doing. Hence,
an overworked and harried mother, who begins to lose her keys or wallet,
forgets to put gas in the car, neglects to put the school gym clothes in the
wash, can't remember a neighbor's name that they have seen and spoken to often,
or calls his or her child by their other child's name. Maybe the children won't
do the chore exactly as you do or as quickly as you or as well as you, but the
child can't learn how to perfect their efforts unless they perform trial and
error. Give them the benefit of the doubt and accept their imperfect
achievements whenever possible. Gentle guidance and praise are the keys here.

There are health reasons that can cause our words to escape us. Short-term
memory loss is one of the drawbacks to having diabetes. If you struggle with
your blood sugar levels, you are sure to have memory challenges from time to
time. Motivation, the proper diet and medication, along with strict
self-discipline will get the situation back under control and the memory should
return to normal.

There is an old phrase that goes 'Use it or lose it'. Sometimes we can retain
our sanity and our memory loss just by making the effort to exercise our
brains. Besides the benefits of physical exercise, mental exercise is also
essential to overall health. Take up a new activity, something to make you
think, some way to present a challenge to your mind. Of course, you want to
avoid having to try too hard or you'll just become discouraged. Take baby steps
if necessary, keeping up with each accomplishment and making each new challenge
a bit harder. Besides improving your ability to recall words, this will boost
your self-esteem.

The Study of Memory Improvement

There has been more than one study on how to improve memory and reasons for
memory loss. Let's review some causes for impaired memory.

Suppose you decide you need help enduring a nerve-racking airplane ride, so you
swallow one of the calming, hypnotic prescription drugs designed for insomniacs
and sufferers of panic attacks or anxiety. These are drugs like alprazolam,
triazolam, or zolpidem. (One well-known drug that has become more popular just
in the past few years is Ambien.) Unfortunately, a side effect of such a drug
is a condition also known as 'traveler amnesia'.

Normally, once a person stops the use of the prescription drug that caused the
amnesia, memory begins to improve. Even though you should always be aware of
the side effects of any drug, it is possible that something new will develop
that wasn't discovered in the study of the drug. Also, because each person is
unique, a drug may cause a reaction only one person may experience.

Another study done on memory loss involves head trauma. This can lead to
transient post concussive syndrome. Symptoms are mental dullness, poor memory,
depressed mood, and headaches. These symptoms can last a few days or a few
weeks. Often after a tragedy such as a vehicle accident that causes extensive
head injury, the resulting concussion brings immediate mental confusion.

Other ways to obtain head trauma include hitting a head during a hard fall,
something heavy falling on the head, or someone hitting your head with a hard
object (accidentally, or during a fight).

There have been a large number of studies done regarding memory impairment
caused by diseases or psychological problems. With a disease there is hope of
improvement, depending on how far the disease has progressed before proper help
was obtained. Also, science and technology constantly allow more information to
be discovered. As for psychological problems, there is treatment for the
underlying problems through psychiatric care, counseling, and medication. Often
the memory can be used as a healing tool against itself, such as through
reliving an event to better understand why memories were blocked. An important
thing to understand in many cases of memory impairment is that repetition may
be crucial to positive progress. We must teach ourselves to do something over
and over until we can unconsciously remember because of habit. Some people are
creatures of habit and can only get through their days with the most success if
they stick to their routines. Anything that deviates from their routine can
cause anxiety and throw their mental balance off course significantly. Their
routine becomes their mental and emotional security blanket.

Several types of animals have been used in laboratories as a basis to study
memory improvement. Hence the old mouse in a maze routine! Dogs can be taught
to win contests by their abilities to remember and follow set courses with
obstacles. Orangutans have been taught to learn sign language because of their
ability to grasp and remember. Lost cats have found their way home after
extensive travel. So, the study of memory continues to amaze and confound
science and the medical world!

Why Would You 'Memorise'?

The English language is a complex language in the way that it makes words sound
different from the way they are spelled. The meanings can vary greatly as well,
but the spelling can be a bigger challenge.

The word memory has several different words associated with it, such as
memories, memorization, memorize, memo, memorandum, memorized, memorizing. Then
you have words like mnemonic, which is of or helping the memory. The word
remember, means recall, which is to bring back to the memory. Recollect means
remember.

But the spelling itself may confuse someone. Some people mistakenly spell the
word memorize with an s, as in 'memorise'. They both sound similar. After all,
the word sunrise is spelled with an s. Then you have the saying, 'rise and
shine'. The word horizon is spelled with a z. Confused yet? It's completely
understandable! There's the word arouse, spelled with an s. Mesozoic is spelled
with both the s and the z, as is mesmerize. Magazine uses the z. So, if you
misspell the word and use 'memorise' instead, don't worry. Many people confuse
the spelling.

No wonder it is hard for some children (and adults who speak another language)
to memorize spelling! It is a wonder a search engine can find the words you
want in the correct spelling. But the wonderful thing about search engines is,
even if you spell the word memorise instead of the correct way, the wonderfully
knowledgeable computer can work its magic and send you in the right direction!

The brain has to process a ton of information just in the early phases of
learning. To exercise and improve the memory is one of the most beneficial
processes of getting to the next phases of life, education, and business (later
on, of course). Some say that a babe in the womb can exercise its memory by the
mother's use of classical music during its development. It stimulates the mind,
which stimulates the learning process, and memory is the key to the learning
process. Some mothers-to-be will play educational tapes or cds to their unborn
children.

Some people encourage the memory process by listening to recordings while they
sleep. There have been students who listen to their studies while they sleep.
Some attempt to learn another language this way.

Hypnosis can help in this way as well, to those who are susceptible to such.
There are programs that use hypnosis to help people stop smoking and lose
weight, and gain self-confidence. It embeds the information in the
self-conscious, so the mind will remember and use it when necessary.

Beepers are invented to help find lost keys, tape recorders are used in class
to help recall important information for passing tests, memo pads sell every
day in office supply stores. So, don't despair if you have a little trouble
remembering how to spell.

Try using a recording while you sleep to get your memory in top shape and
enhance your spelling abilities. Try taking a seminar on memory, reading books
on the subject, watching videos, or grab a friend and take a class together.
The memory is the key to success.

What Goes In Must Find a Way Out

There has been a story written about a lady who suffered a traumatic
experience. She went into a coma, never expected to return to reality as we
know it. Her reality became a recollection of stories written by a well-known
author of many years past. Her mind lived in the stories she had read. This was
discovered because she did occasionally speak, but not in conversation or in
response. She spoke sentences from the stories, never more, never less.

The memory is complex, often misunderstood and underrated. People who suffer
from coma, psychological complexities, children with learning disabilities, and
people who get amnesia are often a mental mystery. Amnesia confounds those who
watch a friend or loved one who suffers from it.

No one can ever really know how much someone in a coma can hear, understand,
and remember. Children are often misunderstood before being diagnosed with a
particular learning disability. Someone with a brain tumor may have plenty of
information stored in their memories that eventually becomes too muddled to
process. They lose their ability to make sense of the memories they contain.

Social phobia is another crippler of memory. When put in the spotlight, a
person can become physically distressed, sometimes severely suffering by having
anxiety or panic attacks. It is embarrassing to say the least. The confidence
level drops dramatically, making it extremely hard to overcome this fear. But
it is an irrational fear, and there is hope. A determined person can be taught
to overcome a phobia such as this by putting themselves in situations that
allow for gradual building of confidence. Each small step towards recovery is a
step towards a stronger self-esteem and opens the door to endless opportunities.
Thus, the memory loss connected to such can eventually become something the
person is able to joke about. This, in turn, can put others at ease, who have
suffered the same set-backs, and give them hope and courage to laugh at their
fear.

Anytime a person is put on the spot, it can cause temporary memory loss.
Singing in front of a church congregation, however small, can make a person
feel as though the whole world is watching and waiting for them to make a
mistake. Giving an oral book report in class can terrify young children. Stage
fright can cripple a potential acting career. It is possible that a person can
overcome such paranoia with coaching and the willpower to succeed.

If you are faced with making an impression in a work environment, the
embarrassment of forgetting a name could become the basis for teasing at your
expense. Try some helpful word association. Learn to choose words that describe
new people you meet to help you recall their names. An example would be "Silly
Sally" or "Hyper Henry". All it takes is some effort and tricks to strengthen
your ability to remember. Practice and dedication are the keys. Eventually,
what goes in will find it much easier to make its way back out!

The Stress Of Alzheimers

There is no cure for Alzheimer but care and cure can go along way in improving
the condition as the disease is considered to be life threatening and has no
permanent cure whatsoever. However, alternative medicine help is being sought
in order to help the condition. These includes herbs and dietary supplements.
But the challenges faced by alternative medication are that the safety and
effectiveness is unknown. Purity is also an issue, as FDA has no authority over
supplement production. Side effects and reactions are goes unnoticed and
documented in most cases and closes the door to further research. Consumers
rarely read the warnings and in some cases they are not even documented on the
product. Most of the supplements are known to counteract with the prescribed
medication and can seriously accelerate one or more adverse reactions.

According to a recent study 1 out of 10 elderlies suffer from this disorder and
by 2050 14 millions in America are probable to suffer from this disease. The
disease has seven stages and the duration of suffering varies from three to
twenty years. The disease is inherited in most cases. In few cases it is
acquired due to physical illness clubbed with irrational habits such as drugs,
drinking and smoking. As the disease is labeled as the most complex disease any
permanent cure has not been reached as of yet. People from Alzheimer suffer for
years, and their sufferings are not limited physically but more so
psychologically and emotionally. Eventually they die after suffering for 6
years after diagnosis however their neurological system is affected by disease
much before that at times even for twenty to twenty five years. The worst
experience for the patients is that they die in midst of strangers as they
forget their family and friends and keep tracing their identity till they are
consumed by the disease completely.

But it becomes all the more difficult for the people who take care of the
patient, as they have to cope with stress in all orders from physically,
financially and emotionally. Their resources are consumed in the medication for
the illness that can continue for years altogether without any hope of recovery.
They can make it more comfortable for the patient by sticking names on the
photograph of family members and keep it in view of the patient. They can also
stick tags on drawers on the basis of its content. Placing a list of phone
number of doctor, friends and relatives also helps the person incase he wants
to reach anyone. By keeping the person involved in favorite activities can keep
the stress of recalling at bay. In the late stages of his disease religious
books could be read out to him and music can be played to soothe him. But
nothing comes close to the physical proximity of near and dear ones at such
time of distress.

During all this while stress is sure to take a toll on the caregiver so the
caregiver must enroll in relevant forums and community service organizations.
All this while many emotions can victimize the caregiver such as grief, guilt,
anger, embarrassment, and loneliness. Discussions with other caregivers help in
venting out feelings and sharing different techniques to further ease their job.
As there is nothing as intriguing as to see the near one suffer and nearing to
death. At times it can be physically challenging too. So help should be sought
such as hiring day care or nurses at a later stage.

The Memory of the Mind

Have you ever heard someone say an elephant never forgets? Maybe someone you
know was compared to an elephant in a similar way, as in having the memory of
an elephant. The mind of an animal can be substantially large in its learning
capacity, using memory to perform amazingly in many ways.

The mind can shut down memory, temporarily or permanently, depending on whether
or not what it endured was a traumatic event that the mind just refuses to
access or a scant bump to the head. People have protected themselves
subconsciously by disengaging the memory. The mind sometimes seems to play
tricks on us by confusing one memory with another. Sometimes this causes the
person to be unable to function in society. What seems to be a problem with
memory can actually be a problem with the processing of information going into
the mind.

Prescription medicines can sometimes affect the memory, especially if you
choose to combine a dangerous mixture. Even over-the-counter medications have
to be closely monitored in their ability to work well with each other or with
certain prescription medications. Prescription medications can also improve
your ability to use your memory, clearing up other health problems that might
interfere with your mind's performance.

The mind is complex in its capabilities, but without memory it cannot perform
even the simplest of tasks. The body depends on memory to function. How would
we brush our teeth if we couldn't remember the process of adding the
toothpaste, wetting the toothbrush, putting it in our mouths, scrubbing the
teeth, and the rinsing? Such daily tasks are overlooked in importance because
they become mundane repetitions in our memory. A person who is preoccupied may
not even recall the task of brushing the teeth.

Animals have a sense that allows them to remember whether or not a person has
been cruel to them. They may store the information in their memory and act upon
it at a later time, sometimes unsuspectingly getting their revenge. A dog being
trained for police work has to remember which person in uniform is its master.
It has to retain enough information to perform acceptably in each working, many
times dangerous, situation. The dog has to remember many types of scents and
commands.

Miniature horses have been trained to lead the blind around noisy, busy
environments. The horse must have adequate memory to pass the necessary
requirements to be a guide animal. The blind person's life depends upon the
memory of the miniature horse every day and night for as long as they are
together.

A blind person must have the ability to use other senses besides their eyes.
Their memories have to be capable of helping them function in their own homes.
If something is out of place, their routines will suffer, and possibly an
injury will occur.

The memory is the storage capacity of the mind. Often neglected, often
unappreciated until something occurs to help us take notice of just how
important it is to our well-being.

The Dangers of Memory Loss

One cause of memory loss is from sleep deprivation. Have you ever gone to
school or work in your house shoes because you were too sleepy to remember to
change shoes? Have you locked yourself out of your home because you were still
groggy from lack of restful sleep only to remember (too late) that your house
and car keys were still lying on the kitchen table? Have you put your
sunglasses atop your head, then searched frantically for them because you
forgot?

Sometimes memory loss can be funny. It is sure to give you a few silly stories
that produce giggles. Undoubtedly, memory loss will serve to uncover forgotten
tales of another person's experiences. Even little children can recall
instances of memory loss resulting from lack of sleep.

Memory loss can also be dangerous. Sometimes it will prove lethal, sometimes
just unfortunate. The sleep deprived will suffer memory loss as though in a
brain fog, walking around in a daze, unable to focus, sometimes with a blank
expression. Observe a class of teenagers or college students after a popular
festive weekend. There is sure to be someone in the crowd with a blank stare or
head hanging from exhaustion, possibly with their mouth open as they 'zone out'.

Worse cases of memory loss from sleep deprivation would be to forget medication
you'd already taken, taking it again and suffering severe side effects, possibly
becoming hospitalized as a result. If you became too sleepy to remember to turn
off a burner on a stove, it could cause a house fire, possibly injuring some
child you left home alone or an elderly person in your care. Maybe you're a
young mother and weren't prepared to expect the sleep disturbances of a
newborn. If you forget to change your baby's diaper, a horrible diaper rash
could result, causing pain and rawness that might take several days to heal. If
you get behind the wheel of your car while sleepy, you might forget to look both
ways or forget momentarily which pedal is the gas or the brake and cause an
accident.

Sometimes medications can cause sleep disturbances, which result in memory
loss, or the medication itself may make it harder to concentrate because of its
effects. If you suffer memory loss on your job, you could cause an injury to a
co-worker or possibly lose your job simply because of something vital you
forgot, such as an important meeting you needed to have prepared for.

Memory loss is caused by other things besides sleep deprivation, of course. But
the most important thing is to find ways to remedy the problem. Take advantage
of a short nap whenever possible. Learn to relax before its time for bed,
instead of waiting on bedtime to begin relaxing. For the chronic work-a-holic,
the new parents, or a college student burning the candle at both ends, learning
to get the proper amount of sleep is essential to avoiding unfortunate events
caused by sleep-deprived memory loss. Remember, if you don't care for your body
and mind, it can't continue to function properly.

Take Early Action to Retain Your Mental Health

The entire process of storing, retaining and recalling information is known as
memory. Many a times we have thought about how bad we fare on our mental
capacity to remember things but we seldom take it seriously however recessing
memory is a serious health disorder. Action taken early can go a long way in
restoring our mental health.

Experts have designed so many ways to overcome the disorder or improve the
condition. One of such tools is called mnemonics it enhances our capacity to
remember things based on similarity. It is the neurons in our brain that send
and receive signals. The stronger neurons connections are the better the memory
is. If we practice ways to strengthen and protect them it can go a long way in
ensuring a better memory, which generally degrades with age and mental
disorders such as stress. So one should try reducing stress and getting
involved in leisure activities. Try to experience new experiences and skills
and move away from routine functions. Try new adventures and challenges and
give body and mind new environments to function. Exercise regularly and do
include brisk walk and cardiovascular exercises to enhance blood flow to brain
to enhance its growth. Stimulate brain by involving oneself in brainstorming
puzzles and quizzes. Read thru various magazines and books and stay update with
newspapers. Try retaining as much information as possible and recall on a
regular basis by referring to them in conversation. Avoid medication such as
antidepressants and sleeping aids, as they tend to dull our mind. One should
also try to kick unhealthy habits such as smoking, drinking and getting
involved in drugs/doping. Making sure to get adequate hours of sleep (minimum 8
hours per day) also ensures to help our brain stay active.

Memory can be long term or short term, few people boast of amazing memory they
remember things as old as 20 years or more. Whereas some people might not even
remember last week activities. It typically also depends on attention paid, it
is researched that if one focuses for about 8 seconds or more the information
is stored in the memory center of brain. Undistracted attention and avoiding
multitasking also ensures information retention. Trying to involve as many
senses to relate to information and recalling it by relating to it also helps
in strengthening memory. Organizing information in a better way of referring
back to when required for e.g. using address book or appointment diaries.
Breaking down complex material into bits and pieces and interpreting them also
helps in boosting memory.

Diseases such as diabetes and other cardiovascular diseases also affect memory.
Stress also makes it difficult to concentrate and remember things. Eating
healthy can help in restoring memory and generate healthy brain cells. It also
helps to fight adverse effect of medication. Leafy green vegetables and legumes
help to generate red blood cells that carry oxygen to the brain. Vitamin B, C
and beta-carotene also acts as antioxidants and improve flow of oxygen thru
body and brain. These naturally good substances are found in fruits and
vegetables such as sweet potato, blue berries tomatoes, spinach, broccoli,
green tea, citrus fruits, liver and nuts. Omega 3 fatty acids founds in cod
liver oil and other fresh water fishes like salmon and tuna is good for
cognitive functions. It is also found in certain vegetarian food such as walnut
and flaxseed. On the other hand there are supplements to overcome deficiencies
such as vitamin b and folic acid capsules or health food fortified with such
vitamins. These foods if taken in adequate quantity can help boost heart
functions that in turn supplies blood to brain and will improve neuron
functions leading to better memory.

Research On Memory Loss

As the threat of memory based diseases such as Amnesia and Alzheimer is
increasing, the medical fraternity is trying their best to come out with the
best of solution. Several researches are being carried on globally to make
difference to such conditions. Some achievement has been made so far but
nothing considerable as come so far. As Alzheimer is being a constant threat to
the growing number of elderlies according to one of the statistics nearly 65% of
them are exposed to the disease. Little diagnosis could be made so far as not
too many are aware of the condition and refer it to the aging process. Until
they realize that it's affecting their quality of life. So much so that it has
damaging effect on them in various ways such as psychological, emotional and
financial. Especially in a nuclear family setup older folks find themselves
ignored most of the time. Due to ignorance and little awareness the disease is
barely diagnosed on time and leads to death.

Current research on memory loss reveals that Omega 3 fats are helpful in
declining such conditions. Folic acid and folate are also known to help the
condition; supplements if taken for 3 years can significantly help on improving
cognitive functions. People who consume fish on a regular basis have lesser
chances of suffering from any form of Dementia. Vegetables also are known to be
rich in few minerals and vitamin that helps in neurons functions. Exercise is
however the most important way to keep the brain active as it leads to better
blood circulating throughout body and brain.

According to a study those who exercise three times a week are less prone to
develop disease such as Alzheimer. Brain diet mostly constitutes of low
saturated fats, coniferous vegetables, fruit and fish with omega-3 fatty acids.
An active social life enhances our defenses and builds immunity and reduces
inflammation. Green tea also may work as wonder for the brain research have
proved that those who have regular intake of green tea are less likely to
suffer from cognitive impairment. Drinking 2 servings of green tea a day can
help keep any cognitive dysfunction at bay. Keeping a check on weight also
helps to counter Dementia. Blood pressure and cholesterol control can lower the
risk of Alzheimer. Eating leafy green vegetables and coniferous veggies also
helps in restoring cognitive functions. So one should carefully include all the
green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach in one's diet plan.

Older people who exercise on a regular basis are known to generate more brain
cells than their counterparts who do not exercise and also learn new skills
more effectively. Consuming fruits and veggies rich in antioxidants helps in
boosting metabolism and maintain the integrity of nerve cell components.
Magnesium and Zinc intake are also known to improve and maintain brain
receptors thus enhancing memory. Research has also proven blueberries, Ginseng,
Gastrodine and Gingko Biloba to help create new neurons and improve memory
functions. Vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E and other nutritional supplements
intake helps restoring memory function and build new cells However justifiable
amount of caffeine taken thru tea and coffee also sharpens brain proven by a
recent research. Lowering of cortisol level and stress can help regenerate its
power to remember and learn. Aerobics can protect brain tissue from aging and
decline. These are results of few researches that have been done to check
memory loss and brain related disorder.

Recover Diminishing Memory

There are various ways to recover diminishing memory. Few aids have been
discovered to assist them entire procedure such as Memory Lifter it helps in
memorizing vocabulary or language. Hormonal therapy is used in women to help
their retarding memory due to menopausal hormonal change in the body. It has
proved the hormonal therapy has direct and immediate on the critical part of
brain that controls memory functions.

It also lowers the risk of Alzheimer in women. However more research is going
into this study and few experts have criticized this therapy. But critics have
also criticized Mnemonics and mention that this technique is not 100 accurate
actually no technique is 100% fool proof as there is always room for one to
forget and Mnemonics and its dynamics are complicated for people who are
unaware of Esperanto grammar besides it also carry some costs. There is also
this myth that with age memory detoriates but it's not true for all as few
people are less prone to memory loss and Alzheimer because a well trained mind
is stronger than other system of our body and though it does loses some neurons
due to ageing but a lot depends on training and knowledge. Popping pills are
considered to be a solution by many but the supplements just makes our body
healthier and thus automatically affecting the activeness of our brain hence no
memory pill is a magic pill to boost memory. But still there are many who
believe in consuming memory food to enhance their memory. Though taking regular
vitamins and minerals are good for health and body but excess of anything is
harmful and it goes for the herb Ginkgo Biloba too.

If eaten to excess it can cause bleeding in the brain. Hence the most reliable
treatment is consumption of green fruits and antioxidants rich fruits and
vegetables. Monitoring depression and anxiety helps in recovering from memory
loss besides a relaxed brain and body gets the mind in an active frame. Iron is
also a stimulator of neuron transmitter that helps in functioning of memory
properly.

In long run our brain is impaired and memory is affected by the usage of drug
as the chemicals reacts with our body the neurons are inflicted and lost.
Nicotine and alcohol have been proved to cause memory loss. Smoking and
drinking can cause stroke or other heart ailments that interfere with the flow
of neuron to our body causing memory loss. Stimulants like tea and coffee are
good in adequate quantity as they keep us alert when we want to without causing
neurotic damage. Memory loss can also happen if an information or knowledge has
not been used for a considerable amount of time it becomes susceptible to be
lost or needs brushing up. One can also improve their memory by the usage of
memory optimizer. A process that uses the memory effectively. This includes
learning and detailing all the information and skills and recalling them.
Information decays and degrades over the period of time and needs to be
replenished often. At times one information supercedes another information and
is well retained than the first one. At times it is observed that people tend
to forget information due to stress or pressure for e.g during exams howsoever
well read the student is but gets nervous and forgets the answer. These are
short-term memory loss as in most cases the memory springs back rather than
being lost forever.

In women pregnancy also affects their memory due to the hormonal changes that
occur in their body. Due to biological changes in their body women suffer from
stress and tension and this leads to the neuron settings in their brain being
disturbed. But they usually overcome that thru the supplements or post
pregnancy.

Memory And Your Health

Want an enviable memory? Start leading a healthy life fused with exercises that
boosts blood circulation to that area of brain that is responsible for memory. A
sedentary lifestyle causes not only a lethargic body but also a diminishing
static brain. While you take a jog make sure that that the exercise regimen
also includes cardio vascular exercises. A lapse is memory can often be an
indication of start of Alzheimer disease especially in elderlies.

With growing awareness of the disease it is more probable that people suspect
disease the moment they identify a small gap in memory. It mostly occurs at the
age of 50 or more with ageing and diminishing nutrition. A lot also depend on
the stress level for memory to detoriate before time. However, it is perfectly
normal to forget a thing or two at later stage in life. Besides stress, people
deprived of sleep specially those working odd hours are prone to memory loss.
Only a well-rested body and brain can perform well.

There are many over the counter drugs apart from herbal medication to boost
memory. Few people believe that taking Gingko Biloba helps in restoring memory
others rely on memory formula enriched with vitamin and minerals. These herbs
and medication expand blood vessels, fight free radicals, boost immune system
and decreases the level of depression and stress. Other naturally occurring
substance that helps in ensuring proper blood circulation to brain are
rosemary, ginseng and green tea. Green tea contains plethora of benefits that
surpasses any her from improving blood circulation to weight maintenance. Their
antioxidant helps fight cancer and promotes healing. It is used across skin
preparations as it acts as soother and healer. It is also known for its
anti-aging benefits. Other medication promises to increase the concentration
level and boost brainpower by improving oxygen flow to the brain.

While aging people might want to indulge in the above-mentioned supplements and
medication the younger lot can always look for memory building games online or
otherwise. There are memory plans on internet such as pmemory.com, Brain age,
Big brain academy that promises to build a phenomenal memory. But the first and
foremost step toward acquiring a great memory is to squash the laziness syndrome
and start feeling active. But surf to these online memory shacks are certainly
not as good as visiting your local farmer market and grabbing a broccoli
instead. These powerful veggies are sure to get the cognitive clock ticking.
According to latest research studies broccoli, cauliflowers and other
Cruciferous vegetables improves the memory and reverse the aging process by
nothing less than one and half year. Spinach that is high on folate is proved
to reduce the risk of Alzheimer by breaking the homocysteine, an amino acid
that is toxic to the nerve cell. Usage of unsaturated or hydrogenated fats have
also proved to reduce the risk of Alzheimer and memory loss.

However there are other reasons that can be attributed to memory loss called
Amnesia its is a symptom that causes complete memory blackout generally caused
by head injury, drug toxicity, stroke, paralysis attack, emotional shock, and
infection. These memories can be recovered through psychotherapy but it few
cases it is observed that the condition prevails for lifetime resulting in
subject to live a completely new life.

Improving Memory Using Mnemonic Tools

For those of you who may have never heard of the word, mnemonic means memory
aid. It's an adjective related to things that help memory improvement. Teaching
tools, if you will.

If you are a movie buff, you may have heard of the one called 'Johnny
Mnemonic', a 1995 feature involving a data courier. Keanu Reeves is the star of
the film. He carries a large data package, 320 gigabytes in size, in his mind.
If he doesn't deliver it from Beijing to Newark, it will kill him. I suppose
you could call this forced memory. It wasn't his brain that developed this
computer chip, this memory tool. It contains a cure for a nerve syndrome of the
future and puts his life in danger.

Some mnemonics would seem to be horrible techniques for the person who would
prefer not to remember. However, this may be their only solution to overcoming
a tragedy, in order to heal them. So, once more, forced memory is put into
effect. The person must relive the mentally or emotionally damaging event to be
able to move on with their lives and put the worst of the trauma behind them.

A coach, psychiatrist, hypnotist, counselor, pastor, trusted family member,
teacher, or close friend may be needed to help give you moral support for the
courage to use mnemonic tools.

Hypnosis has long been used as a mnemonic tool. Memory is a process of
reconstruction rather than retrieval. Often the mind must be forced through
hypnosis to reconstruct events that caused the person to suffer and attempt to
protect themselves by choosing subconsciously to forget. Therefore, hypnosis
may at times be a dangerous, however necessary, mnemonic tool.

Hypnosis is also a lucrative field. It is often used to help people stop an
unhealthy habit, such as chronic nail-biting, smoking, overeating. It can also
be used as a form of pain control. No matter how it is used, it involves the
subconscious memory.

Mnemonic tools can be a positive way to overcome small annoyances. Suppose your
short-term memory loss is disrupting your life in such a way that you are in a
constant state of frustration. Small annoyances can add up to one big problem.
You may have subconsciously used mnemonic tools to learn to avoid certain
disturbing memories. Like associating an object with someone who used that
object to cause you pain. You decide to avoid use of that object to force
yourself to leave the memory in the past. Maybe a dreaded uncle always wore
purple, so to avoid having to constantly be reminded of the uncle, you decide
to never buy an object the color purple. It may become a habit that you do
without really thinking about it. People have used flash cards, music, games,
and repetition as mnemonics. Remember the old saying about tying a string
around your finger to recall something important? Or placing a rubber band on
your wrist, to pop whenever you are faced with a temptation you are trying to
overcome?

Whatever the case may be, mnemonics can be very productive in memory
improvement.

Improving Memory Using Memory Exercises

If you are a student struggling to study for a big test, you may soon learn
that you will need the help of certain tricks to make your study life easier.
Many students of all ages benefit from learning memory exercises. Teachers
usually try to help their students by suggesting certain exercises that they
themselves have used or that they have learned since beginning to teach.

Of course, each person must use whatever appeals to them. What works for one
won't necessarily work for another. This lesson has been demonstrated in the
simple act of teaching a child to tie a shoe. His concentration may be thrown
askew and result in frustration when asked to try a new way to learn. Maybe one
parent teaches a different method, or the grandparents disagree on what is best.

Children with learning disabilities must learn constructive methods for
improving their memories that are tailored to their own distinct capabilities.
A child who struggles may need to associate certain things with the same colors
daily to remember. Maybe they have certain shapes that help them remember, or
smells. A child who has sight impairment may learn to associate by touch or
scent. Grandma may wear the same perfume every day or Grandpa may wear the same
cologne or after shave.

There are times when the teachers have a learning method that is different from
the parents'. When the child asks the parent for help with homework, an argument
may develop because the parent will use a different method to get the same
result.

Sometimes if the child is taught not to argue with the parent, this could
result in a bad mark on the work that is turned in. This is where consistency
and cooperation is successful in the parent/teacher relationship.

Have you ever made up a silly, but rude song about someone who offended you?
This was a great memory exercise, even though it could be construed as mean.
Music is a helpful tool, especially for teaching small children to improve
their memories, although it is usually not used in a derogatory way. Comedians
make jokes with rude songs, which often results in the audience remembering the
comedian simply because the music acted as a tool to cement the person into
memory. Maybe you don't even recall the words, but simply the tune, the results
are the same.

Rhyming games are a very helpful memory tool. An endless number of people have
grown up enjoying the antics of the characters in Dr. Seuss stories! Many of
the words don't even make sense and mean nothing in reality. But they served to
help a person remember the story because of the rhyming effect.

The key to memory exercises is repetition. You must teach yourself to perform
the actions over and over. Like always putting your car keys in your purse so
you won't lose them. If you have trouble getting your children to school on
time because they spend too much time finding their backpack or shoes, have
them learn to place the items in the same place each evening. These little
memory tricks are sure to make your boss happy if they get you to work on time
each day!

Improve Memory to Help Your Career Skills

Women are known to multitask. It is a talent many are proud of, often
performing out of mindless repetition, often learned because of their
experience rearing their children, sometimes learned because they grew up in a
large family where everyone had to work together to keep the household in
order. Is it a wonder that at some point they become overworked and
overstressed and forget something important?

In the business world, your career skills depend heavily upon your memory. It
could make or break your chance to get that long-awaited and much deserved
promotion or maybe the vacation you've earned. One little forgetful mistake and
everything could fall apart. No pressure, right?

Learning to take some time for yourself, to give yourself that few minutes of
peace and relaxation may be all you need to improve your memory and grab that
moment of success. Businesses have learned that successful employee performance
relies upon ensuring their employees get their much deserved breaks and that
positive enforcement is a key element to moving forward and upward. Some
businesses have built-in gyms, daycares, saunas, sandwich machines offering
healthier choices. On another note, improving your memory will make it easier
to get through those business meetings, lunch dates, or parties where recalling
names is essential to success. Calling an important person by the wrong name
could be devastating to your career.

Some banks have practiced rewarding the customer with a dollar if their teller
doesn't greet them by name. It is, of course, a temporary advertising gimmick.
It does make for better customer service relations to hear one addressed as
more than a ma'm or a sir. The customer feels more appreciated and may make an
effort to be more pleasant when the teller seems more aware of them as a person
rather than a nameless face.

Any job you choose will suffer if you don't make the effort to remember the
important aspects of that job. If you are unconcerned and think you can get by
with the minimum of effort and attempt to substitute where it is unacceptable,
it could cause you to be fired. Forgetting courtesy, forgetting to clean up a
mess you made, forgetting to return things to their proper places, forgetting
to wash your uniforms, forgetting to bring the right tools for the job,
forgetting the due date of a project......all are critical for overall
performance ratings and job security. Your boss and your co-workers need to
know they can count on you to remember and to put forth effort.

It makes for better relations between you and your fellow employees, too, when
you can remember personal things about them. Birthdays, the special events in
their family life (such as little Charlie or little Susie having a big recital
at school), their favorite candy, or perhaps their favorite musical artist, all
could bring kudos for you should you require their support on a special project
or need a favor or want their positive input when you get a performance review.
Not to mention, remembering these little things will bring happiness to others
and should help you be a better person for making the effort to care.

How to Memorize

To memorize is to store information in your brain for reuse later. The
definition of memory is the power or act of remembering. The definition of
remembering is to recall, to bring back to mind by an effort.

Some people are able to memorize things temporarily and then forget them when
they are no longer of use. Many times this is the case with a person who may
study just for the sake of passing a test containing information they don't
feel is of particular importance, yet they are required to know it anyway for a
job or to pass to the next level of a class or school. Preschoolers must make
the effort to memorize the alphabet, to recognize colors, to write their names.
This type of information is of importance in their daily lives as they go
through each year of school. Often an older child will have to memorize the
multiplication tables or all the states in the United States.

Use of flash cards is a well-known way to memorize. If you are studying a
foreign language, you can use the flash cards to write one interpretation on
one side, and the other version of the word on the other side. Children's books
often use the flash method to tell a story that will help the child memorize.
Pop-ups are a fun way to learn. Many books will use pictures of animals, toys,
or even food to help the child memorize the name of a word and its proper usage.

Have you ever taught tricks to a dog? It must memorize the steps to the trick
in the process of learning what you want. Teaching a parrot to talk requires
the parrot to memorize the words you choose for it to learn. Sometimes an
animal can memorize the path home or a smell of certain people. Maybe you need
to learn some tricks, like recalling names at a party! To remember
combinations, middle school students must memorize the numbers that will open
their locks. They also have to memorize their school ID numbers to go through
the line in the cafeteria for billing to their lunch accounts.

Sometimes people have to make phone calls and don't have pen and paper ready.
They may have to temporarily memorize the number given them by an operator
assistant.

If you have children, you may have asked them to memorize things like their
phone numbers and addresses in case they get lost. Their teachers may even
require this at the beginning of their school year in the younger grades of
education. There are a vast number of books written on the process to improve
memory. Word games were invented for such a use. Even crossword puzzles require
extensive use of the memory. Studies have been done for years on ways to trick
your mind to memorize. Playing with people's names can help you memorize them.
Make a rhyming game in your mind with the name. Rhyming stories are a fun way
to memorize. Or you could try associating the name with a color. Whatever your
choice to improve your memory, it can only benefit you to succeed!

How Do Science and Memory Connect?

One way science and memory connect is through the side effects of a medication
that may cause memory loss. Another way is through trying to improve memory.

Take Alzheimer's for example. It is now a well recognized disease that has been
under much scientific study. In this disease, memory loss begins when the
entorhinal cortex, an area of brain involved in building new memories, loses
neurons faster then they are being replaced. The human brain was once thought
to have all the brain cells possible at birth. Now science has uncovered the
fact that human and primate brains can generate new nerve cells (neurons) after
birth. These nerve cells are made in the cerebral cortex throughout the life
span. The number of neurons stays fairly constant, but the ones lost in each
area are replaced anew. If the production of new ones can't keep up with those
dying or being removed, the brain function begins to decline. Science has found
that when the number is reduced by one-third, the short term memory begins to
fail, hence Alzheimer's.

It is thought that certain antioxidants have the ability to significantly delay
the effects of Alzheimer's. In people under the age of 80, the chance of
developing this disease could be reduced by 50 percent by taking low doses (200
to 400 mg) of ibuprofen for two or more years. There are also certain activity
programs that can delay the progression of the disease. Scientists believe the
progression can be delayed by regular exercise.

Lifestyle behaviors must be altered to age in a healthy way. This healthy aging
includes retaining healthy memory function. The way one eats, sleeps, drinks,
smokes, lacks adequate physical and mental exercise, and allows an
overabundance of stress on a regular, long-lasting basis all affect good health.

Illegal use of drugs has long been known to affect memory function. It kills
brain cells, as does the long-term overuse of alcohol. Two prescription drugs
that have had memory loss as side effects are Prozac and Zoloft. The patients'
symptoms would improve as far as the reason they were put on these drugs, but
once memory loss began to develop, the patients would have to be taken off them.

The process of knowing and perceiving is called cognition. Alzheimer's and
disorders related to it all have one thing in common: cognitive impairment. As
long as only one symptom exists, the diseases are distinct from each other. If
not treated early enough and effectively, other brain areas begin to be
affected and the symptoms make it hard to diagnose which disease is present.

One disease similar to Alzheimer's disease is dementia. There are different
types of dementia. There is Parkinson's Dementia, Frontal-Temporal Lobe
Dementia, Vascular Dementia, Subcortical Vascular Dementia, dementia due to
head injury, and dementia from cancer and cancer treatment.

One thing is certain, regardless of your reason for memory loss, science and
advanced technology are making it easier every day to single out and treat the
problem.

Herbs to Improve Your Memory

Does it sound bizarre? Using herbs to improve memory have long been practiced
not only by those in the United States, but in other countries as well. The
American Indians, Orientals, Egyptians, and Greeks have all used herbs to
enhance the mind. Spicy foods are said to increase the cognitive functions of
your brain, and there are several spicy herbs available.

Have you ever heard of turmeric? Maybe curry? Well, turmeric is an ingredient
in curry. Curcumin is an ingredient in turmeric, which in turn works to improve
your memory. It reduces the effects of diseases like Alzheimer's disease. Ginger
is another herb, containing zingerone, which defends the neurons of the brain to
improve memory. Cinnamon is a brain activity booster; simply smelling it
enhances cognitive function and lifts the mood. All these wonderful spices can
be found in your local grocery store, usually on the isle with the basic
cooking ingredients such as flour and sugar.

Health food stores abound in the United States. They've become more popular for
the youth of today alone. Health food stores can also benefit adult shoppers.
They offer things like ginkgo biloba, touted as the best herb to improve blood
flow to the brain. Suggested use is 80 mg, 3 times a day.

Another herb found in health food stores which increases memory and guards
against senility is gotu kola. It has a calming effect. Suggested use is 1/2
teaspoon in warm water 3 times a day.

Siberian Ginseng can help the body adapt to stress, helps promote a strong,
balanced nervous system, and gives a mild energy boost. Suggested use is 250
mg, 2 times a day.

Before partaking in the benefits of any of these suggested herbs, please do
your research and make sure they won't have a negative interaction with any
medications you are currently taking. The idea is to improve your memory, not
further damage your health in another way.

Herbs don't just serve to improve your memory by oral ingestion. A popular way
to stimulate your brain these days is by aromatherapy. Some herbs can be heated
in either water or as an ingredient in a candle, maybe even as an ingredient for
use with a potpourri burner placed on a cloth as an essential oil to inhale, or
simply burned as incense. Aromatherapy can be done as a low-cost addition to
your steps towards good mental health. It clears the mind, helps you relax,
sharpens your ability to focus, and improves your mood. Two essential oils to
use in aromatherapy to help improve memory are rosemary and basil. Although,
anything that is pleasant to your nose will help you calm your thinking so that
you can focus more clearly and feel uplifted in spirit.

An important thing to consider is whether you would rather slow down your
lifestyle now and begin to take proper care of your mind and body, or whether
you'd rather suffer more later as you've aged and have more trouble undoing the
effects of your neglect. It's never too late to adapt a positive outlook and
take charge of yourself!

Healthy Body Healthy Mind!

The reliability of memory is still a question as in most cases it is distorted
by suggestions. The certainty of memory depends on the encryption it had on the
mind of individual and the duration too. As we mentioned earlier that
diminishing memory is a result of neurons malfunction, there are three ways
that can help us identify factors that can stimulate or memory. We should
figure out ways to stop neurons from dying and stimulate growth of new neurons
and by getting to have the existing neurons function efficiently. Memory i.e is
chemical compound known as Ampakines enhances neurons functioning. Other ways
generic ways to improve memory is to start taking memory training and
practicing games such as cross words, brainteasers and other memory exercises.
Apart from them consuming healthy diet rich in Omega 3 fats and antioxidants
also helps. Five small meal patterns should be followed as it prevents blood
sugar from lowering i.e the primary source of energy to the brain. Jogging and
brisk walks helps in blood circulation and have been proved to reduce the risk
of Alzheimer disease. Getting proper sleep and stress reduction helps
curtailing the production of cortisol in our body that harms memory and is
known to shrink memory center in brain.

Regular practice helps us give a jog to our memory that is as fruitful as the
physical jogging. We should let our brain run thru as many facts it retains and
associate each with some picture, color or number to make it easier for recall.
But accuracy of recall depends on proper functioning of three aspect of brain
that part that form, stores and receives memory. At times dreams are made of
distorted memories we usually club our experiences with a particular memory
creating a new situation altogether.

People who have suffered head injuries or suffer any kind of pain otherwise
tend to be more forgetful according to one of the studies. The study goes on to
suggest that chronic pain leads to brain shrinkage and degradation of neurons.
People with emotional distress and chronic pain are more susceptible to brain
atrophy. Varying pains have varying effects on brain and affects different
regions in our brain. Such conditions can be improved and memory can be
improvised by realistic psychotherapy and medication.

It is often observed that we remember traumatic events better than happier
moments. It is associated with a certain type of protein produced in our brain
while we go thru that experience and makes it embedded in the long-term memory
zone of our brain. These proteins help in strengthening the connection in
neurons acting as a catalyst in memory storage. This study is being used now to
improve memory conditions by treating our brain with the same kind of protein to
make our memory everlasting. Another study goes on to prove that zinc helps to
improve memory especially in children. This study has been used at the grass
root level by more health drink and medical supplement manufacturers who target
their zinc fortified drink, cereal and nutritional supplements to adolescents.

There are ayurvedic cures in the market that claim to guarantee similar results
like "Memocare" the product is a mix of herbs that promises to reduce stress and
anxiety. It also promises to accelerate brain function and improve memory. There
are hosts of other companies too offering similar promises like Brain quicken
that claims to be effective in one hour but it mainly targets to improve
short-term memory. Its constituents are a complex mix of nutrients and other
propriety constituents.

Connecting Aging and Memory

It is a well-known fact that aging will affect memory for many different
reasons. Family members, friends, spouses, and careers all suffer because of
aging and memory loss. Loss of memory seems to be a part of life that may sneak
up on a person, gradually growing worse until it is finally acknowledged as
being serious to warrant attention.

One of the least-heard-of ways people are affected by loss of memory is called
male menopause. It seems to be more of an issue to keep the health problems
affecting men a secret than it is for women. The male pride can be extremely
sensitive in the areas of failing health.

The first memory that seems to be affected by aging is short-term memory. It is
easy to assume that one may be in the first stages of Alzheimer's when memory
loss begins to occur. Indeed, some may laugh at the idea of male menopause.
After all, everyone knows menopause is something women endure, right?
Unfortunately, this is not at all true. Most men just never seek help for this
condition because of not being aware of their feelings on a conscious level.
Men are taught to put their emotions aside because to openly acknowledge them
is perceived as a sign of weakness.

Forgetfulness is at the beginning of the list of changes occurring later in
life. The mental processes are slowing down. We begin to run low on hormones
after the age of 40.

There is a steroid hormone that the body will normally produce, using
cholesterol as its main raw material. It converts into other steroids the body
uses. The level of this hormone declines with age. Low doses such as 10-30 mg a
day has been shown to be a memory enhancer with a punch! Possibly the most
powerful memory enhancer of all, it is also an anti-inflammatory aid which
helps arthritic conditions when given at high doses of 400-500 mg per day.
Other benefits of this hormone are increased energy levels, balanced hormone
levels, and repair to the sheath that covers neurons in the central nervous
system. Many women are able to laugh and joke with others about the effects of
menopause, especially the memory loss. It may be harder to notice memory loss
caused by menopause simply because women and men are both caught up in working
and rearing their children. This causes preoccupation of the mind, due to the
busy lifestyles.

Aging and memory loss are no joke, certainly, and even those who are able to
find the humor in it may secretly be covering for the frustration it actually
causes in their day-to-day lives. Forgetting can be a scary, intimidating part
of the aging process. Once it becomes such a problem that the elderly are faced
with their loss of independence, it is certainly no longer a joke to one of
them. It can cause life-threatening confusion, sometimes causing them to wander
away from home and get lost, cause a vehicle accident by wandering into the
street, or subject them to the fierce elements of nature.

Brain Food

Our brain controls so many functions of our body besides being the powerhouse
of information. Few vital functions of our brain are motor control, visual
processing, auditory processing, sensation and learning. Considering all the
functions of our brain there is no second thought that it is the most vital
organ of our body beside our heart. Any kind of brain malfunction can be well
understood if related to the current technology that is used in computer. The
hard disk contains all the vital information of the computer and without it,
the computer is as good as dead. If the hard disk crashes it is tough to
recover it back and in most cases it cannot be recovered. Similarly if Amnesia
or Alzheimer disease affects our brain it first destroys our brain cells and
affects our memory. Loss of memory renders us useless, as we tend to forget all
the skills that we have learnt over the period of time including language too.
Any such disease can turn a human being into nothing less than vegetable.

All the medications used to regain the memory back are used for brain
nourishment. This can only be achieved thru universal nourishment of body and
brain. In order to have them work both in tandem with each other we must feed
our body properly at the same time keeps it active by participating in physical
and mental activities such as jogging and memory games. Children in their early
stages should specifically be taken care of. Right nutrition can ensure their
physical as well as mental well being. Right from the stage of pregnancy,
future mothers are administered the right dosage of multivitamins and folic
acid to help the brain of fetus grow. In cases where folic acid and dietary
supplements are not taken low or no mental growth is observed. In their growing
phases children are feeded with health drinks as they become choosy and eat what
they like. This leads to various deficiencies affecting growth. This has given
rise to so many health capsules and drink but the best and trusted supplement
is Cod liver oil. It is rich in Omega 3 fat that helps in better growth of
brain. Research proves that children who have been given cod liver oil on a
regular basis display good memory and active body.

Over the period of time we barely make use of such supplements and the drug
interference makes it worse along with the day-to-day life stress. This makes
us prone to several mental disorders such as confusion, attention problem,
foggy brain etc. We must not forget that the core brainpower has been derived
from the nutrition given at early age and this would not last lifetime. We need
to supplement it on a regular basis. There are many over the counter supplements
available that are fortified with zinc, magnesium, folic acid and other
essential nutrients for brain. But taking these supplements alone will not work
wonder over brain hence we need to put in adequate exercise too. Try to
challenge the memory often by engaging in memory games and other mentally
challenging activities to ensure adequate supply of blood and oxygen to the
brain. Taking care of heart and keeping the cholesterol and blood pressure in
check also helps in clearing the arteries of any block to allow good flow of
blood. Hormones, specially estrogen level should be kept in check as it affects
our brain and leads to various diseases in longer run.

Alzheimers

Alzheimers affects that part of brain that control thought, memory, and
language, it is one of the most common form of Dementia (destruction of brain
cells to cause decline in mental functions)but later it spreads to all regions
of brain rendering it ineffective. The onset of Alzheimer slowly progresses and
alters personality and behavior. In most cases anxiety, suspiciousness or
agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations are observed to be the few
changes that is caused by the disease. Memory and thinking process are marred
in the initial stages of Alzheimer. It is one of the rising causes of death in
elderlies, as patients diagnosed for this disease barely survive more than six
years. But the duration of the disease vary between three to twenty years.

There is no permanent cure for the disease so far but effective care and
support can help improve condition in the tenure of diagnosis to death.
However, the condition can be avoided if healthy aging takes place in an
individual. It also helps to reduce the risk of Alzheimer. The few best measure
to ensure healthy aging involves constant check on cholesterol, blood pressure,
weight, stress reduction, socially active lifestyle and regular exercise for
body and mind. Unfortunately it takes longer to diagnose the disease as the
brain damage starts much before the symptoms appear. By the time symptoms are
visible nerve cells are already degenerated and extinct. The symptoms of
disease vary but the first thing one notices is the loss of memory that starts
interfering and affecting the regular life of an individual. Apart from this
other noticeable changes are confusion and disassociation with the language and
fumbling in familiar surroundings. The first sign noticed should be communicated
to family or physician so that it can be identified early and the treatment is
started without any further delay. Though there are no particular medical
examination to conclude the disease but various tests (including physical and
mental) and reviews from family and friend can benefit in diagnosis of the
condition. Depression, hormonal changes such as thyroid and side effect of
medication act catalyst for those who suffer from the disease and also makes
prone to those who don't. Excessive drinking, unhealthy lifestyle and improper
diet can also propel Dementia.

There are medication available to delay the process of brain cell degeneration
but they are not known to curb or stop the process altogether. Thus it just
slows down the process rather than eliminating the danger of the disease.
However, improving quality of life by subtle understanding, care and altering
the surrounding can tremendously help the patients suffering from Alzheimer.

The ongoing research in the field of Alzheimer is concentrated on reversal of
nerve and brain cell damage. And also to further stop and reduce the
degenerative condition in an individual. They are also working on the strategy
to optimize the delay of disease and the role of cardiovascular and other
health condition to affect the condition. Those having a family history are
more prone to the disease as the genetic makeup makes them more pronounced to
be at the risk. More researches have brought forth the theory of plaques and
tangles in brain tissue this considered to be more definitive way to diagnose
the disease other than this brain scan is followed by tests of urine, blood and
spinal fluid. It has also come to light that non-steroidal drugs can help slow
the progression of Alzheimer. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant and is known to
slow the progress. The hormone estrogen is also known to ease the condition.

The Alzheimer's Association has been formed with the intention to share,
educate and strengthen the caregiver and family members of Alzheimer patients.

All About Amnesia

Amnesia is a disorder of brain that affects the remembering aspect of once
memory. It is caused by severe head injury or thru intake of toxic substance
that affects the brain. Thought the disease can also impact those who suffer
from paralysis or heart stroke. Those who suffer from Amnesia have a tough time
remembering previously learnt information such as their name or language.

Amnesia victims never remember their past or anything associated with it such
as people, place etc. They are often seemed to be feeling confused or
disoriented. This disease unlike Alzheimer can occur at any age. And thus can
lead to a partial or full Amnesia disorder. In few cases patients are never
left unsupervised too as they may harm themselves. If the person remembers
remembers recent events then it is partial amnesia. The recovery process
involves remembering the previous or past memory before the most recent
memories.

Another factor that is very important to the disease besides partial and full
is the term of Amnesia as in whether it is temporary or permanent.

Support of caregiver is very important for person suffering from Amnesia though
references from past can help them recover soon But if those references are
disturbing to them then one should restrain from discussing them in their
presence. Generally such cases are people who have been thru some kind of
mental shock or agony. Such as accident victims, trauma patients or those who
had to deal with a sudden death of some one close.

Another form of Amnesia is psychological Amnesia where someone takes on a new
life for a few months or days and once the anxiety induced amnesia attack is
over no memory remains of that period. Most of amnesic patients recover on
their own not requiring much medical interference. Change of work and activity
can bring along a good change along with family therapy. Hypnosis also acts as
a great tool to bring back the memory of the patient. Amnesia patients not only
lose their memory but also the ability to generate any memory in the time span
of disease.

Stress is a major cause of concern for today's generation. Life is so fast
paced that it calls for a halt to think for oneself. We have so many things to
worry about in today's world and remembering things forms a major part of our
life today. Be it electricity bill payment or client appointment. As the value
of time has gained importance so have the getting work done on time has. Every
day in our life we are faced with so many deadlines that we are stressed out
completely by the end of the day. We seldom have time to meditate, exercise,
engage ourselves in light activities such as games or clubbing The more our
life is technologically influenced the more we are running into the danger of
acquiring one or more neurotical disorders. In order to wade thru the stress
that we face in our day-to-day life, we must follow a healthy diet pattern
along with adequate physical exercise and supplement intake.

In earlier times the work timings were fixed and there were limited resources
of available technologies that makes us sit like couch potatoes. People would
interact and share their problems and worries that would act as stress buster.
Hence fewer people suffered from disease such as Alzheimer and Amnesia. But now
all these sufferings are becoming evident as we barely lay emphasis on improving
our lifestyle and switching to a more relaxed life.

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