Elderly man lost his memory what to do. Treatment of memory loss in the elderly

In old age, there are often violations of the functioning of the brain of a neurological nature. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most severe and steadily progressive diseases. The pathogenetic mechanisms of its appearance are neurodegenerative processes, and the main symptom is an early maladaptive syndrome with memory impairment. In addition, among the diseases that lead to these disorders, acute cerebrovascular accidents can also be attributed. During such ischemic attacks, the brain is seriously affected, so there are violations of memorization and memory in general. Also, diseases leading to memory impairment include anxiety-depressive disorders, extrapyramidal pathology.

Not only diseases can lead to cognitive impairment in old age. It is believed that some of the changes that occur are the physiological norm in the process of aging of the body and, in particular, the brain.

A decrease in cognitive abilities worsens the quality of human life, which is a very significant and urgent medical and social problem, which is quite difficult to solve. If a person loses a clear memory, he cannot work normally, he cannot perform everyday tasks, he cannot communicate with people at the same level as before. Memory loss is a tragedy for a person, which is why we talk so much about it now.

Cognitive impairment leads to discord between relatives. People change the usual foundations of their lives, get irritated, they often have stressful conditions and quarrels with each other.

In addition to personal problems, these diseases lead to large economic losses for the state, since the need for treatment and rehabilitation of patients requires serious funds. In addition, memory loss often begins at working age, which leads to the loss of a person capable of working and disability.

Modern medicine cannot yet fully restore a person with such problems, but work in this direction is underway and there have been some successes. At the end of the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century, scientists obtained innovative data on the structure, pathogenetic features and neurochemical transformations during the main

neurodegenerative diseases. This knowledge made it possible to revise some approaches to treatment and build new therapeutic schemes.

It has been proven that symptomatic treatment for developing dementia in the elderly is effective and this effectiveness has been fully proven in practice.

Risk Factors for the Development of Memory Disorders

The next risk factor is genetic predisposition. This factor in no way, however, as well as age, cannot be corrected. AD is one of the most common causes of dementia and this disease is completely genetically determined, that is, completely dependent on heredity. The risk of developing asthma is especially high in the presence of sick close relatives who fell ill before the age of 60 years. Those who fell ill after the age of 60 most often got the disease by accident. However, the risk of disease in relatives of these people is significantly increased. The first and most significant risk factor has always been and will be old age. Memory loss in old age it's normal, as many people think. By the second half of life, the human brain undergoes changes that further lead to the formation of the above diseases. These changes reduce the effectiveness of the protective barriers and mechanisms of the brain. In old age, the number of neural connections decreases, the number of synapses decreases, the activity of the dopamine, noradrenaline, acetylcholine systems decreases, which contribute to the conduction of impulses along nerve fibers. Neuronal plasticity, that is, the ability of neurons to vary functional properties during adverse effects, is reduced, and thus the compensatory capabilities of the brain and nervous system, in general, are practically reduced to a minimum.

Another equally important cause of memory loss- cardiovascular pathology, and arterial hypertension stands out in importance from the entire region. Asynchronous studies in different regions of the world have shown that the presence of arterial hypertension in middle age significantly increases the risk of neurodegenerative changes.

brain in old age. Why arterial hypertension contributes so much to the development of memory disorders is now being clarified, but there are opinions that foci of microinfarcts are formed in the brain, which lead to the development of AD and vascular cognitive impairment. For example, type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly leads to cognitive impairment. The Rotterdam study confirmed that the risk of developing memory impairment in patients with type 2 diabetes is 2 times higher than in their peers from the control group.

Abdominal obesity and hyperlipidemia also contribute to the development of memory impairment as a person ages. Scientists have identified a pattern of maximum risk of developing these changes in patients simultaneously suffering from type 2 diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, and abdominal obesity.

Traumatic brain injury is a serious risk factor, depression, vitamin B deficiency.

Methods of non-drug prevention of folic acid deficiency, in youth, insufficiently active intellectual and physical activity.

A diet rich in natural antioxidants. Of the natural antioxidants, vitamins E and C can be distinguished, which are present in vegetable oils, citrus fruits, and seafood. The "Mediterranean diet" is able to provide the human body with all the necessary substances that improve neurotransmitter activity and communication between neurons.
Memory training is systematic and constant. People of intellectual labor are the least susceptible to cognitive disorders in old age. Of course, dementive manifestations are present, but such people can cope with them much easier and more efficiently. All people in old age need training in memory and attention.
Adequate regular physical activity. There is good evidence that CI disorders come to the elderly much later if he is physically active. This dependence can be explained by the positive effect of physical activity on the emotional sphere, the cardiovascular system, and body mass index.

Prevention of CI and treatment of the cardiovascular system

Diseases of the cardiovascular system affect the formation of CI, so for many years scientists have been asking the question, what effect does the treatment of these diseases have on the risk of CI in old age? Some studies show that, for example, the calcium channel blocker nitrendipine can be given as a prophylactic agent in the development of initial symptoms of dementia. Eprosartan, a combination of perindopril with indapamide, also showed their effectiveness in the prevention of CI. Other antihypertensive drugs did not give such effects. It should be noted that such positive effects of the above drugs appear only when blood pressure is stabilized within the normal range.

The use of statins in the prevention of CI is of great interest. Recently, experimental data have appeared that an increase in cholesterol negatively affects not only the state of peripheral vessels, but also contributes to the formation of senile plaques in the brain, as in AD. Studies of statins and their preventive effect are small, so the data are rather contradictory and inconclusive.

Used metabolic and vasoactive memory loss treatment. These treatments are very affordable and are prescribed almost everywhere. At the same time, good results are achieved in improving memory and eliminating other vascular symptoms. Patients' well-being improves, mood rises. The neuroprotective effect of these drugs is very hotly discussed. For example, ginkgo biloba increases the tone of microvessels by acting directly on arterioles without the effect of stealing. The rheological properties of blood improve, there is no pathological thrombus formation. Memoplant, which contains ginkgo biloba, is used very hastily in elderly patients due to its excellent vasoactivity and antioxidant effect. During studies of this drug, it was found that against the background of a placebo (dummy effect), CI developed more often than in the group of patients taking Memoplant.

Another approach to therapy is the use of the NMDA receptor blocker memantine. This method is accepted by official medicine.

In the prevention and treatment of CI, it must be understood that without the treatment of concomitant diseases, the effect will be low or not at all. In old age, a person has a sufficient baggage of diseases that will develop or exacerbate cognitive impairment. These diseases include hypothyroidism, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and substance abuse.

From the above, it follows that the treatment of cognitive impairment should be comprehensive and affect all the pathological conditions that the patient has in order to achieve the most positive result.

Thus, at present, there are well-established therapeutic approaches to patients with cognitive impairments at all stages of the pathological process. In older people without cognitive impairment, the prevention of their occurrence is the correct and timely treatment of cardiovascular diseases, systematic intellectual exercises, rational nutrition and physical activity. With cognitive impairments that do not reach the severity of dementia, it is advisable to conduct vasoactive and neurometabolic therapy. In patients with dementia, the first choice drugs are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. At all stages of cognitive insufficiency, the treatment of concomitant somatic diseases and the correction of the emotional state are relevant.

What reasons lead to slowdown in speed and memory loss, how to check it yourself and try to restore it, especially for older people suffering from brain functional disorders - we will consider in more detail in this article.

Memory types

visual (visual);
auditory;
verbal and logistical;
emotional, when a person is able to remember many moments against the background of emotions and experiences for a lifetime;
genetic, some moments of thinking can be passed on to new generations;
motor;
muscle due to prolonged physical exertion, resulting in the restructuring of cells and muscles.

Why is memory lost?

The human brain is a complex and multifunctional organ. Violation of memory functions, a decrease up to a complete loss is possible due to:

traumatic brain injury;
oncological diseases when the tumor is localized in one of the brain structures;
diseases against the background of the development of infection (meningitis, encephalitis)
stroke with damage to the lining of the brain;
failure of the cardiovascular system;
metabolic disorders;
stress, lack of sleep;
intake of junk food, including endogenous;
age, memory lapses most often affect older people;
lack of vitamins in the body, due to the lack of their entry into the brain in sufficient quantities;
smoking, alcohol, taking drugs, heavy metals (detrimental to brain structures);
bad ecology, which inevitably leads to memory deterioration with age.

What affects memory?

A person's memory is influenced by many different external factors that can enhance or, conversely, reduce it. Factors that negatively affect brain structures lead to memory disorders. Pretty important information can be quickly and permanently forgotten? It is important to find out why this happens, and what exactly affects memory.

Some internal diseases contribute to the decrease, deterioration, and inhibition of memory. Negatively affects memory:

prolonged stay in a nervous state of tension;
severe life cases, when disorders are inevitable in the future;
lack of sleep (gradually and irrevocably reduces memory functionality);
depressions that hurt and exhaust not only the soul. Constant negative thoughts in the head in the same way are reflected in the brain. Depression, according to doctors, is a disease that needs to be treated, otherwise memory can be lost completely and without the possibility of recovery.

Among the diseases leading to memory disorders can be identified:

diabetes, which, as a result of a malfunction of the thyroid gland, haunts 10% of our citizens today. Damage to blood vessels inevitably leads to memory impairment. It can be completely lost if urgent treatment measures are not taken;
diseases of the central nervous system, meningitis are not reflected in the best way in memory;
alcoholism reduces a person's intellectual abilities, leads to atrophy of brain cells and, of course, first to short-term memory lapses. Over time, they become permanent. If left untreated, such brain amnesia can lead to irreversible consequences;
drugs that destroy not only memory, but also all other brain structures. It is ecstasy that causes irreparable harm, as well as some sleeping pills, sedatives and antidepressants equated to narcotic drugs;
lack of vitamin B12. The body requires replenishment with vitamins by taking them in combination. To normalize the work of the circulatory system and the functions of the human brain, in particular, you need to eat more fish, eggs, meat, dairy products;
chronic diseases, which are more common among older people;
Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis. Read about the early signs of Parkinson's disease here. With progression, it leads to a sharp deterioration in memory. If you suspect you need to urgently visit a neurologist, go through the proposed examination procedures.

Memory check

You can check your memory with the help of special tests. Many different ones can be found today on the Internet by entering similar phrases into a search engine. After passing the tests, everyone will be able to determine for themselves how successfully they are passed and what is the state of memory at the moment.

How to restore memory in adults and the elderly?

To restore memory, many different exercises, medications and folk remedies are known. Also, a diet that, with the right selection, has a beneficial effect on all cells and structures of the brain, contributes to improving memory.

Medications

In case of disorders of memory and thinking, in order to increase the efficiency of the brain, improve blood circulation and normalize sleep, experts advise taking:

Glycine, put under the tongue 1 tablet up to 3 times a day;
Noopept for oral administration to improve memory, increase brain stability;
Piracetam to normalize concentration, activate memory with frequent dizziness, mood variability;
Phenotropil in diseases of the central nervous system, decreased concentration and memory;
Nootropil is indicated for use by the elderly in order to restore memory in case of excessive forgetfulness. Old people sometimes cannot even remember their first name, last name, address of residence, they are unable to explain their place of residence;
Vitrum Memory to enhance brain activity. Indicated for use by older people who have problems not only with memory, but also with hearing, vision;
Piracetam, a psychotropic drug, is prescribed to patients on an individual basis. Contraindicated in pregnant women, with kidney problems;
Encefabazole is prescribed for children with pathological processes in the brain that began development from birth
Aminalon, an amino acid drug to enhance metabolism, normalize the absorption of glucose by the brain, improve and restore memory after a stroke. Helps with alcohol intoxication, patients with diabetes;
Intellan for stress, depression, memory loss.

cerebrum compositum to increase brain activity and immune system activity;
golden iodine to normalize blood circulation to the brain, also to older people with weakened memory, lack of sleep, frequent headaches and dizziness;
memory for strengthening the vessels of the brain, normalization of metabolic processes of brain activity;
polymnesin to improve the work of thought processes.

Plant-based preparations, completely harmless to people of any age, should be preferred:

periwinkle;
Dietary supplements, the composition of which contributes to the maintenance of memory in the elderly;
ginger to enhance blood circulation, increase concentration;
black pepper to activate, revitalize the mind, increase the digestibility of substances;
Mosquito to improve memory, equip the brain with oxygen, glucose and antioxidants.

The body (in particular, the brain) is unable to fully function with a lack of vitamins.

Intellan to increase intellectual abilities, eliminate stress, depression, improve memory;
Tsikovit is indicated for admission to schoolchildren, the elderly to enhance mental capabilities (especially during the off-season);
Vitrum Memory, memory forte to enhance the digestibility of information entering the brain.

Diets

Diets (low-calorie in particular) are indicated for older people with memory problems. Properly selected can increase brain function up to 30%.

To retain information, increase the efficiency of the brain, one cannot do without including glucose and sugar in the diet to rejuvenate memory, as well as spices to normalize brain function:

You can combine different types of spices.

Folk remedies

At home, you can cook some good recipes to improve memory:

clover tincture. Dry the flowers, chop. To 2 tbsp. l. add boiling water (0.5 l), let it brew for up to 2 days. Take 0.5 cup 3 times a day before meals. The course of treatment is 2 months;
rowan bark. Prepare a decoction of dry bark. 1-2 tbsp pour boiling water (1 glass), leave for 2-3 hours, then drink 1-2 tbsp. l. up to 3 times a day;
pine buds. It is better to collect in the spring. You need to chew raw up to 4 pieces a day for 1 month.

Workout

Training is the best and most effective way to train and improve memory, it is:

solving crosswords;
learning foreign languages;
also poems, songs, tongue twisters;
chess games, for the development of logic and thinking.

Sedentary, inert, withdrawn people often suffer from such ailments. Only constant brain training, reading, writing, studying a computer, solving logical problems, needlework, learning new previously unknown activities of various kinds will not allow degradation processes in the brain to begin.

From training, memory and thinking will only gradually improve. Medications and diets can only speed up, revive and activate all important processes in the brain.

Physical training is shown to people after 40 years. They help to improve blood circulation, equipping the brain with oxygen. Otherwise, psychomotor functions will gradually decrease, the aging process will only accelerate.

Elderly people are shown cyclic sports to saturate blood cells with oxygen, normalize thinking processes, improve abstract thinking:

The human brain needs constant nourishment:

For schoolchildren and the elderly, not only good nutrition is of great importance, but also regular training, performing simple exercises to improve and restore memory.
Equally important is the regulation of sleep and work hours.
It is important for intellectuals who lead an active lifestyle (especially if the work is associated with the daily receipt of large amounts of information), it is important to get enough sleep.

When choosing, of course, you first need to consult a doctor. Even the best nootropics have contraindications. It is important to understand that a decrease in memory and attention (which is often observed in older people) are symptoms of many serious internal diseases and often quite dangerous ones (brain cancer, diabetes mellitus).

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Memory Disorders in the Elderly: Prevention and Treatment

Cognitive impairment leads to discord between relatives. People change the usual foundations of their lives, get irritated, they often have stressful conditions and quarrels with each other.

neurodegenerative diseases. This knowledge made it possible to revise some approaches to treatment and build new therapeutic schemes.

It has been proven that symptomatic treatment for developing dementia in the elderly is effective and this effectiveness has been fully proven in practice.

Risk Factors for the Development of Memory Disorders

The next risk factor is genetic predisposition. This factor in no way, however, as well as age, cannot be corrected. AD is one of the most common causes of dementia and this disease is completely genetically determined, that is, completely dependent on heredity. The risk of developing asthma is especially high in the presence of sick close relatives who fell ill before the age of 60 years. Those who fell ill after the age of 60 most often got the disease by accident. However, the risk of disease in relatives of these people is significantly increased. The first and most significant risk factor has always been and will be old age. Memory loss in old age is normal, as many people think. By the second half of life, the human brain undergoes changes that further lead to the formation of the above diseases. These changes reduce the effectiveness of the protective barriers and mechanisms of the brain. In old age, the number of neural connections decreases, the number of synapses decreases, the activity of the dopamine, noradrenaline, acetylcholine systems decreases, which contribute to the conduction of impulses along nerve fibers. Neuronal plasticity, that is, the ability of neurons to vary functional properties during adverse effects, is reduced, and thus the compensatory capabilities of the brain and nervous system, in general, are practically reduced to a minimum.

Another no less important cause of memory loss is cardiovascular pathology, and arterial hypertension stands out in importance from the entire region. Asynchronous studies in different regions of the world have shown that the presence of arterial hypertension in middle age significantly increases the risk of neurodegenerative changes.

Traumatic brain injury is a serious risk factor, depression, vitamin B deficiency.

Methods of non-drug prevention of folic acid deficiency, in youth, insufficiently active intellectual and physical activity.

A diet rich in natural antioxidants. Of the natural antioxidants, vitamins E and C can be distinguished, which are present in vegetable oils, citrus fruits, and seafood. The "Mediterranean diet" is able to provide the human body with all the necessary substances that improve neurotransmitter activity and communication between neurons.
Memory training is systematic and constant. People of intellectual labor are the least susceptible to cognitive disorders in old age. Of course, dementive manifestations are present, but such people can cope with them much easier and more efficiently. All people in old age need training in memory and attention.
Adequate regular physical activity. There is good evidence that CI disorders come to the elderly much later if he is physically active. This dependence can be explained by the positive effect of physical activity on the emotional sphere, the cardiovascular system, and body mass index.

Prevention of CI and treatment of the cardiovascular system

Used metabolic and vasoactive treatment of memory loss. These treatments are very affordable and are prescribed almost everywhere. At the same time, good results are achieved in improving memory and eliminating other vascular symptoms. Patients' well-being improves, mood rises. The neuroprotective effect of these drugs is very hotly discussed. For example, ginkgo biloba increases the tone of microvessels by acting directly on arterioles without the effect of stealing. The rheological properties of blood improve, there is no pathological thrombus formation. Memoplant, which contains ginkgo biloba, is used very hastily in elderly patients due to its excellent vasoactivity and antioxidant effect. During studies of this drug, it was found that against the background of a placebo (dummy effect), CI developed more often than in the group of patients taking Memoplant.

Another approach to therapy is the use of the NMDA receptor blocker memantine. This method is accepted by official medicine.

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The material is published for informational purposes only and under no circumstances can be considered a substitute for medical advice from a specialist in a medical institution. The site administration is not responsible for the results of using the posted information. For diagnostics and treatment, as well as prescribing medications and determining the scheme for taking them, we recommend that you contact your doctor.

Memory Loss in the Elderly: Causes and Treatment

Memory loss in the elderly: how to treat, what to do when symptoms of the disease appear - the topic of our next article about the health of people who have crossed the "autumn" threshold.

A decrease in the most important mental function is a real tragedy for a person, leading to the destruction of personality, deterioration in the quality of life, and disruption of social ties.

Age and forgetfulness

Bad, "leaky" memory is quite common in people of mature age. Senile diseases occupy the first positions among the burning health problems of the nation of any country. And the most annoying thing is that they fall on a person in the "golden" period - freedom from work, the opportunity to relax, travel, communicate with nature. Even schoolchildren know if grandparents have memory loss, what is the name of the disease. Of course, we are talking about amnesia.

Medicine has long established that emotional experiences (both joyful and painful), exciting events are remembered better than routine events. Senile amnesia - the loss of the cognitive ability to retain (save) knowledge or recreate previously accumulated material - affects more than 15% of people over the age of seventy.

Age-related forgetfulness is associated with the accumulation of "bad" cholesterol on the walls of the vessels of our "control center" - the brain, destructive processes that occur directly in the brain tissue. Many have noticed that often old people with pleasure and the smallest details can talk about the bright events of their childhood and completely forget what they did just recently.

Causes of memory loss in the elderly

At the same time, pathological processes in old age are not always the result of years lived. Their occurrence can be influenced by heredity, lifestyle, past diseases, including at an early age. Cognitive changes can be temporary or permanent.

With the first factors of the degenerative process, it must be borne in mind that if short-term memory loss has occurred, the causes can be caused by:

Illnesses that flow and are not always noticeable to others, including mental attacks, insomnia, fainting, dizziness.
Various damage.
Infections (Lyme disease, tertiary syphilis, tuberculosis, etc.).
Consequences of taking chemicals. It has been established that "Kemadrin", "Timolol", "Procyclidine", "Disipal" and others negatively affect the brain.
Abuse of strong drinks.
Taking drugs.

Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, neoplasms in the brain, depression are among the first "culprits" contributing to the insidious pathology. Doctors warn that if a loved one shows signs of Alzheimer's disease, you should immediately sound the alarm, seek medical help to stop the development of an evil illness, and prevent it from moving into an incurable, severe stage.

A short loss of the ability to remember is often provoked by traumatic brain injuries, the consequence of which is a concussion. Also, the cause of the pathology can be the cessation (insufficient) supply of oxygen to the brain as a result of drowning or suffocation. Discomfort can also be caused by respiratory diseases that create a deficiency in the supply of oxygen to the hematopoietic system. Brain sclerosis is often observed after experienced negative emotions.

If the disease is not detected in the early stages, examination and proper therapy are not carried out, then it can move to the next stage. Dementia is characterized by profound dysfunctions of the brain. The processes of information processing, generalization, perception, memorization suffer significantly, difficulties arise with the pronunciation of words.

Senile dementia becomes an obstacle to a full human life. Violation of mental function can make a person absolutely helpless, unable to fully live in society. In the early stages, old people lose - partially or completely - independence. With a moderate and severe form of the disease, suffering people need constant help, proper care, and psychological support.

Treatment

If a person began to show intellectual impairment, the possibilities of normal life activity at the household level narrowed, then a neuropsychological examination should be undergone. Elderly people should not postpone a visit to the doctors in such cases:

Over the past 2-3 months, her mood has noticeably worsened, her memory has often "failed".
During the performance of professional duties, it is difficult to concentrate, think logically, and clearly formulate questions.
Previously, the diagnosis was made: diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, deterioration of cerebral circulation.

Pay attention to the symptoms that are often observed with a malfunction in the functioning of the brain in people of the “golden” age:

Visual impairment, feeling of "veil before the eyes."
Feeling of heaviness in the head, which does not go away after sleep, rest.
Sudden aggressiveness, followed by depression, anger.
Ear congestion.
Loss of coordination in habitual conditions.
Confusion of consciousness.

What to do if there is rapid memory loss in the elderly, how to treat the disease? We note right away that the main task of treating senile amnesia is to prevent further aggravation of the disease state. In this case, it is not said about the full restoration of health. The specialist can only determine which drugs, methods are more effective to use.

To detect organic brain damage is carried out:

EEG (electroencephalography).
General and / or biochemical blood test.
UZDG (ultrasound dopplerography of the vessels of the head).
CT (computed tomography of the brain).
DSM (duplex scanning of cerebral vessels), etc.

For the treatment of blue amnesia use:

Pharmacological preparations.
Psychosocial therapy.

For medical treatment, the following are used:

Means that improve cerebral circulation (Trental, Pentoxifylline).
Drugs that prevent damage to neurons (Gliatilin and Cerebrolysin, Piracetam and Actovegin).
Means that affect the function (process) of memory (Memantine, Alzepil, Glycine). Ginkgo biloba gives good results.

With hydrocyanic dementia, hypnosuggestive therapy gives good results. In some cases, under the influence of hypnosis, it is possible to restore "lost" facts and events. Such techniques are also considered effective: solving riddles, puzzles, crossword puzzles, counting backwards, board games, etc.

Treatment for alcoholic amnesia

Sudden amnesia can occur after drinking alcohol without any restrictions, especially on an empty stomach. High-grade drinks in large doses lead to disruption of connections between brain cells. Ethanol enters the blood, there is a rapid intoxication of the whole organism, which leads to brain dysfunction. It is noticed that a small amount of alcohol does not lead to the loss of memories.

To get rid of alcoholic amnesia, preparations containing B vitamins are used (both in the form of injections and in the form of tablets). Under their influence, the nervous system is restored, energy metabolism is being established. To improve the metabolism of brain tissues and enhance blood circulation, vascular agents are prescribed in combination with nootropics. Patients should definitely include foods with vitamin B in the diet - liver, sprouted wheat grains, beans, nuts, etc.

Folk remedies

We suggest using proven remedies from the folk treasury for the treatment of amnesia in old age:

Honey with garlic. Divide half of the head of garlic into cloves, peel. Pound in a mortar, mix with 1 tbsp. a spoonful of honey, soak in a water bath for a minute. Take on an empty stomach once a day, one tablespoon.
Cahors with honey and aloe. Mix half a bottle of Cahors with 250 g of May honey and 150 ml of aloe (agave) juice. Pour into a dark glass container, seal tightly. Take 3 times a day, 20 ml before meals.
Infusion of walnut leaves. Pour 50 g of walnut leaves with a liter of boiling water, leave for 20 minutes. Use 4 times a day for 150 ml.
Decoction of rowan bark. 200 g of rowan bark pour 0.5 liters of boiling water, boil for 2 hours over low heat. Take 25 drops before meals.

The topic of amnesia is so moving that it has become a favorite for many directors. Movies about memory loss - "The Butterfly Effect", "Diary of Memory", "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind", "Remember", etc. - are vivid proof of this. Pictures look interesting at any age, give inspiration, make you look at the problem from a different angle. Have you already seen these pictures?

Take care of memory and always remember that this is the most important element of personality. Good nutrition, intellectual and physical activity will help to keep it for a long time. A person should strive to make life bright and filled with positive at any age.

my mother is 84 years old, associated with the adoption of alcohol somewhere during

For 2-3 years, until we noticed, she suffers from Amnesia and became very restless, does not sleep well, sometimes very aggressive, can she be helped?

My mother's memory began to deteriorate significantly. She is 65 years old, and she has already said that she is old, does not remember anything, is no good.

One very good neurologist advised her to take a nootropic course. She took 500 mg capsules for 1.5 months, she began to remember everything much better, she even took up crossword puzzles.

Treatment of memory loss in the elderly

Memory loss in the elderly has many potential causes. These are age-related changes in the brain and diseases accumulated over the years that affect the central nervous activity, and diseases characteristic of old age.

Unlike at a young age, memory loss in older people, no matter how it is treated, will still occur. Don't expect full memory recovery. But complex treatment can improve it, stop the progression of deterioration, and also preserve the opportunity for an elderly person to have a relatively comfortable quality of life.

Therapeutic measures are aimed at the causes of memory impairment and improvement of conditions for the functioning of brain structures responsible for higher nervous activity.

Treatment of causes

In old age, pathologies accumulate that can potentially lead to dysfunction of higher nervous activity, including memory impairment. These are diseases that, one way or another, contribute to temporary or permanent circulatory disorders in the brain, hypoxia of its structures responsible for memory processes.

The main causes of memory loss in older people include:

If the foci of ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke affect the frontal, temporal lobes, thalamus, hippocampus, then the risk of memory impairment is especially high.

Ischemic heart disease, heart failure often accompany old age. With these pathologies, the contractility of the heart suffers, the value of cardiac output decreases. Then the body redistributes the blood flow and the brain continues to receive a normal amount of blood due to the fact that tissues on the periphery (skin, intestines, limbs) receive less of it. But once this mechanism is exhausted. And the blood flow in the brain begins to suffer.

Hypertension is a frequent companion of old age. It not only leads to heart failure. The brain independently from the whole organism regulates the size of the lumen of the vessels. However, long-term hypertension leads to disruption of this regulation.

Important! To improve memory, it is necessary to achieve compensation for these pathologies. For this, blood pressure is monitored and corrected with medications, drugs that optimize the work of the heart.

Respiratory failure, which may accompany heart failure or be independent, leads to the fact that the composition of the blood flowing to the brain contains less oxygen. The elimination of the causes of the pathological condition of the lungs often occurs when the activity of the heart is compensated.

Atherosclerotic plaques in the lumen of blood vessels lead to a decrease in the lumen and to a restriction of blood flow to the brain. It is recommended to carry out anti-atherosclerotic therapy, normalization of blood cholesterol and lipid levels.

Varicose veins of the lower extremities are a source of small blood clots that can enter the brain and clog capillaries and larger vessels. Exclusion of small vessels from the bloodstream leads to microinfarcts of the brain, large and medium - to a life-threatening condition. Recommended treatment of varicose veins, the use of drugs that reduce blood viscosity.

In addition, memory loss in old age is due to a decrease in the number of neurons, as well as a weakening of the synaptic connections between them that conduct memory impulses.

It is believed that the disruption of the central nervous system in general and memory loss in old age, in particular, are a physiological pattern. Therefore, cerebroprotective drugs should be added to complex treatment. They are aimed at optimizing oxygen consumption and metabolism in neurons. This:

nootropics and neuroprotectors (Piracetam, Cerebrolysin).
drugs that act directly on memory function (Alzepil, Glycine, Ginko biloba preparations).
vasoactive (vascular) drugs that improve the condition of the vascular wall and its tone (Pentoxifylline, Trental).

The risk of developing Alzheimer's disease is higher in people whose relatives have had this pathology. Unfortunately, there is no cure for this factor.

Type 2 diabetes also contributes to memory impairment. It is necessary to control the level of blood sugar, its correction.

Abdominal obesity, hyperlipidemia contributes to the formation of memory impairment. Mandatory normalization of weight and treatment of obesity.

The risk of memory impairment, as well as other disorders of higher nervous activity, increases significantly with a combination of hypertension, heart failure, obesity, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Often, memory impairment in the elderly leads to stress, misunderstanding, conflicts with others. In such cases, the patience and warmth of relatives will help, it is possible to consult a psychologist.

Memory and body training

It is believed that people engaged in mental work are less prone to memory impairment. Even when it worsens, they adapt much more easily to it. Therefore, in old age, various memory training is recommended in the form of solving conversations, listening to the radio, solving crossword puzzles, puzzles, reading, counting down.

Moderate physical activity leads to increased blood flow in the brain, improving blood oxygen saturation. With memory loss in the elderly, treatment should be comprehensive. It is aimed at reducing the manifestations of memory impairment, ensuring a relatively comfortable life for an elderly person within society.

Amnesia in the elderly is characterized by partial or complete loss of memory for various reasons. In older people, amnesia is also called senile (senile) dementia, because along with memory loss, attention and mental function are impaired. Over time, memory lapses worsen and progress, cognitive processes decrease, so the quality of life of a sick person worsens.

Memory problems in older people in the initial stages happen to current events. Over time, they forget about what happened to them earlier, at a young age. The last stages are characterized by complete loss of memory, patients do not remember their names, where they live, do not recognize loved ones.

Diagnostics

To detect amnesia at all stages of development, a study is carried out:

EEG - electroencephalography;
General and / or biochemical blood test;
UZDG - ultrasonic dopplerography of the head vessels;
CT - computed tomography of the brain;
DSM - duplex scanning of cerebral vessels.

Conducting an EEG - electroencephalography

short term amnesia

Minor memory lapses in old people are sometimes considered the norm or the mildest form of the disease, since the events of the current or last month are erased, but then they are restored. If the patient cannot remember the event of the past day after 1-2 days, becomes distracted and frightened, then it is already necessary to conduct an examination and undergo treatment.

In older people, memory loss for current events often occurs due to the following factors:

a stroke, in which blood flow to the brain is interrupted. Which leads to the death of neurons and changes their functionality;
a depressive state that develops a chemical imbalance in the gray matter of the brain of the head;
psychic trauma, because in this case traumatic events are blocked;
brain injury and neuronal damage;
alcohol and drug abuse, as intoxication of the body and brain hypoxia occur, the nervous system does not receive enough B vitamins;
sleep disturbance, since the functional activity of neurons is also impaired;
thyroid diseases;
infectious diseases: meningitis or neurosyphilis;
uncontrolled and prolonged use of relaxants, antidepressants or tranquilizers.

Treatment of transient amnesia

If the memory does not return on its own, then complex treatment is prescribed to alleviate the patient's condition.

Namely:

drug therapy to improve cerebral circulation, the functionality of neurons, the treatment of the underlying disease;
memory tests in the elderly;
intellectual games and special exercises to improve memory;
a diet with the inclusion in the diet of fish with cereals, fresh and baked vegetables, fruits. Exclude red meat, fatty foods and alcohol;
regular moderate physical activity to activate blood circulation and normalize the processes of transportation at the same time to oxygen neurons, to cells - nutrition and for lymphatic drainage.

progressive amnesia

Symptoms of progressive amnesia:

concentration of attention decreases;
speech is disturbed;
the feeling of fatigue does not go away;
impaired coordination of movements and orientation in space, which happens against the background of Alzheimer's disease;
patients are dizzy;
mood changes for the worse;
no interest in what is happening around.

If the patient has pathologies of the cardiovascular system, then you need to constantly measure the pressure and adjust it with medications. With atherosclerosis, measures are taken to normalize the level of cholesterol in the blood. With varicose veins of the legs and the development of small blood clots, a microinfarction of the brain may occur, therefore, patients are prescribed drugs that reduce blood viscosity.

To restore the quality of life, drugs are prescribed that improve memory in the elderly and increase oxygen consumption and metabolic processes in neurons. Not only pharmacological drugs are prescribed, but also psychosocial therapy.

Medical treatment is carried out:

nootropics and neuroprotectors: Gliatilin, Lucetam, Piracetam, Phenotropil, Cerebrolysin - means do not allow damage to neurons;
memory enhancing drugs: Alzepil, Bilobil, Glycine, Memantine - they affect the process of memorization;
vascular agents to improve the walls of cerebral vessels: Trental, Pentoxifylline - they improve blood circulation.

In the presence of hydrocyanic dementia, hypnosuggestive therapy is carried out to restore lost facts and events. Psychosocial therapy includes solving riddles, crosswords, puzzles, board games and counting backwards, and looking at photo albums of loved ones and friends.

Alcoholic amnesia

With binges, especially on an empty stomach, amnesia occurs suddenly in alcoholics, because the degrees of drinks disrupt the connections between brain cells. When ethanol enters the bloodstream, the intoxication of the body sharply increases and brain dysfunction occurs. With a small amount of alcohol drunk, memory lapses in older people do not occur.

To restore memory in an alcoholic, drugs containing B vitamins (injections or tablets) are prescribed. They restore the nervous system, normalize energy metabolism.

Patients with alcoholics are prescribed drugs that improve cerebral circulation and memory in old age, as well as improve the metabolism of brain tissues in combination with nootropics. The menu includes dishes from the liver, sprouted wheat grains, beans with nuts and other foods rich in vitamin B.

Daily routine, exercise and diet

It is important to remember that older people with impaired memory in special medical institutions will feel bad. Only a familiar and calm environment under the supervision of relatives can improve the situation.

For patients provide:

comfortable sleep for 8-9 hours / day or more, daytime sleep for 1-1.5 hours;
calmness, absence of quarrels between relatives and conversations in raised tones;
intellectual games, conversations about the past, watching programs with a discussion of the process;
daily regular walks for an hour once or twice a day;
morning exercises with optimal loads (as recommended by a doctor).

Meals should not include fatty, fried and fast food dishes. The priority is first courses and cereals, pasta and stewed vegetables with dietary meat, poultry, fish, fresh vegetable salad seasoned with vegetable oil, lemon juice or cranberry sauce.

Useful lactic acid products, cheese, baked potatoes and apples, nuts and seeds, seaweed and even pureed horseradish.

Folk remedies favorably affect memory:

walnut infusion: leaves 950 g) are poured with boiling water (1 l) and allowed to brew for 20 minutes. After filtering, they drink 150 ml - 4 times / day 20 minutes before meals;
a decoction of rowan bark: the material (200 g) is steamed with boiling water (90.5 l) and boiled for 2 hours on minimum heat. Filter and drink 25 drops before meals.

Stroke and memory loss

Memory impairment in old age also occurs with an acute failure of blood flow to the brain - with a stroke, which clogs (with an ischemic form) or damages (with a hemorrhagic form) a blood vessel. As a result, neurons die in a certain area of the brain responsible for memory, because there is not enough nutrition and oxygen. Amnesia occurs 2-3 days after a stroke.

To restore memory, the doctor prescribes complex therapy, taking into account the nature of brain damage, age and the presence of concomitant diseases.

Other diseases and concepts

There are also such names in medicine as senile insanity, vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies, senile dementia, senile sclerosis. Memory lapses, amnesia are also present here, but the treatment is carried out by different (other) methods.

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The human brain is equipped with many impulses that arrive at a speed of up to a trillion operations per second from the subcortical layer of the head to the muscles. What reasons lead to slowdown in speed and memory loss, how to check it yourself and try to restore it, especially for older people who suffer from brain dysfunctions- we will consider in more detail in this article.

Memory types

The types of memory are:

visual (visual);
auditory;
verbal and logistical;
emotional, when a person is able to remember many moments against the background of emotions and experiences for a lifetime;
genetic, some moments of thinking can be passed on to new generations;
motor;
muscle due to prolonged physical exertion, resulting in the restructuring of cells and muscles.

Ask your doctor about your situation

Why is memory lost?

The human brain is a complex and multifunctional organ. Violation of memory functions, a decrease up to a complete loss is possible due to:

cranial trauma;
oncological diseases with the localization of the tumor in one of the structures of the brain;
diseases against the background of the development of infection (meningitis, encephalitis)
stroke with damage to the lining of the brain;
failure of cardio-vascular system;
violations metabolism;
stress, lack of sleep;
reception junk food, including endogenous;
age, memory lapses most often affect older people;
lack vitamins in the body, due to the lack of their entry into the brain in sufficient quantities;
smoking, alcohol, drug use, heavy metals (detrimental to brain structures);
bad ecology, which inevitably leads to memory deterioration with age.

What affects memory?

Memory disorders are different in nature. Psychological, gynecological ailments can lead to a decrease. For example, in women against the background of hormonal failure, thyroid disorders.

Some internal diseases contribute to the decrease, deterioration, and inhibition of memory. Negatively affects memory:

prolonged being in a nervous state of tension;
heavy life cases when disorders are inevitable in the future;
flaw sleep (gradually and irrevocably reduces the functionality of memory);
depression that hurt and exhaust not only the soul. Constant negative thoughts in the head in the same way are reflected in the brain. Depression, according to doctors, is a disease that needs to be treated, otherwise memory can be lost completely and without the possibility of recovery.

Among the diseases leading to memory disorders can be identified:

Memory check