INTRODUCTION:
You're standing in front of the open refrigerator but forgot what you came for. You're ready to leave the house but can't find your purse again.
Is your forgetfulness just memory loss that comes naturally with age? Or should you worry about your memory loss?
The good news: There are ways to improve memory and give your brain a boost, and you’ll find out how.
Do brain supplements really work? What about reading books, writing poetry, eating right, getting a good night's sleep, or socializing more?
We’ve gathered the facts about memory loss and put it all in one place. Now, you can easily find the latest expert advice and research on how to improve your memory and reduce your risk of declining memory as you age.
It's always a good idea to speak with your healthcare provider (HCP) about your memory loss and the possible causes. They can help rule out any worrisome conditions and tell you how to live your life to the fullest.
MEMORY AND AGING:
Memory is defined as “the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Our ability to remember and to recall our past is what links us to our families, our friends and our community.
As we age, subtle changes in memory occur naturally as part of the aging process. However, sometimes these changes occur sooner than anticipated or faster than expected. These changes often go unnoticed, but at other times can be disturbing to ourselves or others. There are a number of things that can cause problems with memory or make normal age-related changes worse. For example, sometimes changes in memory might be due to a medication side effect or an existing or developing health problem, such as depression, anxiety, sleep problems, heart disease, infections in the brain, brain tumor, blood clots, head injury, thyroid disease, dehydration, or vitamin deficiency. If this is the case, identifying and treating the condition can improve your memory.
However, when memory loss prevents us from performing daily tasks and our accustomed roles in life, it becomes a health concern that needs further evaluation by healthcare professionals.
MEMORY IMPROVEMENT TIPS:
Ever walk into a grocery store and forget what you were there for? What if there was a way to train your brain to remember you came for milk, bread, eggs, and coffee? Read on to find out how mnemonic techniques and other simple memory improvement tips can make your brain stronger.
DISEASE AND MEMORY:
Musicians sing about the connection between the head and the heart every day. But are heart disease and dementia somehow connected? What role does diet and high cholesterol play in brain health? See why a healthy heart may contribute to a healthy brain.
EXERCISE AND MEMORY:
We know that exercise can lead to a trim and fit body, but what about a healthy mind? They are adopting regular walking routine increase your brain size? Find out how lacing up your sneakers may keep you healthy in more ways than one.
SLEEP AND MEMORY:
Could those restless nights be wreaking havoc on your brain? Will taking a catnap in the afternoon help or hurt your chances of improving your memory skills? Read on to find out how snoozing may affect memory.
NUTRITION AND MEMORY:
You see rows of vitamins that claim to boost brain health, but are they really worth it? What role, if any, does the food you eat play in keeping your brain at its best? Get the facts about boosting your longevity and brain power through nutrition.
IMPROVE MEMORY:
True, there's no home-gym equipment designed to build up your brain muscle. But a simple walk just might increase your brain size.
A study shows that regular cardiovascular exercise, like walking, is good for your brain because it can enlarge the hippocampus—a brain structure vital to memory function.
FIT AND BETTER MEMORY:
As we age, our brains tend to shrink, and our memory can wither in the process. But a study shows that an aerobically fit person has a larger hippocampus and performs better on spatial memory tests than a less fit subject. In the study, being more fit did not slow the rate of hippocampal shrinkage once it began, but it meant that people generally had more to work with once shrinking started. And that means less total deterioration overall.
You must be logged in to post a comment.