Memory Reflection Blog

The different types of memory disorders

• Memory slip-This common trait is actually a disorder of attention - rather than memory loss. As we get older, we find it harder to split our attention between several tasks. This is because too many thoughts in our head clutter up our memory centre found deep in our brain. When our brain can't cope it turns off the electricity that fires up our neurotransmitters - substances that send messages to our brain and switches on our memory.
• Mental blocks-People often complain of their mind going blank, especially as they get older. This common experience happens when the frontal lobes of our brain temporarily lose track of what our brain plans to do.

• Dementia-The term "dementia" describes a group of symptoms caused by the impact of disease on the brain. Symptoms typically include problems with memory, speech and perception.
• Alzheimers- Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting around 500,000 people. Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 - and one in five over the age of 80. During the course of the disease, the chemistry of the brain changes and cells, nerves and transmitters are attacked. Eventually the brain shrinks as gaps develop.
• Post-Traumatic memory loss-When stress is severe it can cause physical changes to the brain cells leading to long-term memory loss. This can happen after a bad accident and can be experienced by soldiers fighting at war. Studies show that Vietnam war soldiers experienced shrinkage of the memory centre. This happens when the brain is flooded with a brain chemical called glutamate which reduces the brain cells.

1) Focus on Attending

If you are listening to someone, repeat or paraphrase what they have said along with writing it down, if possible.
2) Learn Novel ways of Thinking
Crossword puzzles, conversations with new friends, new routines, and taking different routes when doing your morning run (this has personally helped me)
3) Stress Reduction
For many, this is one of the hardest things to do. There is extensive research on how stress affects your ability to attend, concentrate, store and retrieve information. Heart rate breathing is extremely important. The heart to brain communication system is through the vagus nerve and the sympathetic afferents. Through controlling your breath, you are able to have control of your brain and higher brain centers that influence registration, storage and retrieval.
4) Nutrition
What you eat affects your brain. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet that is high in protein and Omega 3 really makes a difference.
5) Restorative Sleep
This area is extremely important! It is essential that you go to bed at the same time each night and wake up at the same time, if possible. I know as a college student this is extrememly hard for me. Sleep is the first area that is most effected by disease, trauma and/or neglect related memory problems. Taking a soothing bath along with the heart rate breathing that helps reduce the stress in your life so you can attain restorative sleep.
6) Exercise
This is a lot easier than you think. Park a block away from school. Walk up the stairs when you can. Buy a big medicine ball and bounce on it while watching TV or a movie. Move for a least 20 minutes a day!
7) Be Careful with Prescription Medication
There are major drug categories that will affect your memory including sleep aides, steroids, antiepileptic drugs, tranquilizers, anti-anxiety drugs, and muscle relaxants to name a few. Again, be sure to use prescription medication and even some herbal remedies with caution.
8) Alcohol, Wine, Beer and Drugs
This is a no brainer! Use any of these, especially together, and lose your memory. Period. This is especially true if you have had a form of disease or trauma to the brain.
9) Stop SmokingWith a brain injury there is a decrease of oxygen to the brain. When you smoke there is even less.
10) Reduce your Caffeine
This is a mixed area, because for some people with memory problems caffeine can actually help in the short term to attend or focus, yet in the long run it can cause adrenal exhaustion, which effects retrieval of information.
"Without memory, there is no culture. Without memory, there would be no civilization, no society, no future." -Elie Wiesel

sources:

https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/memory
http://human-factors.arc.nasa.gov/cognition/tutorials/STM/index.html
http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/tmt/