Why memory is lost at a young age. Poor memory what to do - how to improve brain function and increase attention

Memory deterioration threatens not only older people: now this problem is very familiar to people of working age, students, and even schoolchildren.

Of course, much more often memory deteriorates among working people: in the modern frantic pace of life, they need to “keep so much in their heads” that even diaries and calendars, unfortunately, do not always help - they can also forget to record the necessary information on time. Why does memory deteriorate, and how to deal with this problem? It is this issue that we will touch upon with you today, we will tell you the main reasons for this problem and what needs to be done if your memory deteriorates.

There are different types of memory, but we are talking about neurological, or nervous memory: thanks to it, we remember current events and other information. The central nervous system stores not only information that can be expressed in words, but also our emotions and impressions. However, we are usually worried that we cannot always remember phone numbers and dates, first and last names, and sometimes we forget to do what is necessary: ​​if memory deteriorates all the time, you can even forget about a business meeting or something else. something very important in life.

Why

First, you should find out why memory deteriorates, what are the main causes of this disease. Memory impairment can be caused by any factors, including serious illnesses. In these cases, treatment methods are determined by a doctor - a neurologist, psychiatrist or other specialist. If we are not talking about serious failures or amnesia, complete or partial, but about an incomprehensible deterioration of memory, which has not failed before, then it is quite possible to cope with this on your own.

For most people, memory deteriorates for the same reasons.

First of all, these are psycho-emotional disorders: stress, anxiety, and then depression - a person is in a state of chronic fatigue almost all the time, and cannot get out of it. After 40 years, this is especially dangerous: memory weakens quickly, it causes anxiety, and everything gets worse.

What to do?

Even if you cannot remember something, it is better to remain calm: proper rest and positive emotions will help improve the situation. While relaxing, you can solve logical problems and puzzles, read interesting books, but watching endless TV series and talk shows is unlikely to help get rid of psycho-emotional stress.

Constant haste and the habit of doing everything in a hurry lead to the fact that absent-mindedness and forgetfulness become the norm. When a person is in a hurry, he does not notice what exactly he is doing, and this again becomes a reason for stress: everyone knows the feverish state like “did I turn off the stove”, or “did I close the garage”, because most of our daily activities are carried out “on automatic." This “automatic machine” must be turned off: learn to do everything consciously, and do not divide things into small and important ones - watch yourself, every action you take, and gradually your memory will begin to improve.

An active and healthy lifestyle is an excellent way to restore and preserve memory. Not everyone has time to do fitness or just go to the gym, but everyone can remember their daily routine or walks in the fresh air. Try to walk whenever possible, and forget about alcohol and cigarettes: they impair the ability to absorb information and remember words and images.

Only healthy food

Many experts talk about metabolic disorders, lack of nicotine and folic acid, as well as other B vitamins. This cause of memory impairment is the most common, and it is related to nutrition. Most working people eat “as they have to” - not according to the principle of usefulness, but according to a different principle - so that it is fast, satisfying and tasty.

We will not describe the harm from fast food now - a lot has been said about this, but let us remind you which products should be present in the diet at all times. Fortunately, there are many such products, and it is possible to ensure normal functioning of brain cells without problems - of course, you will have to give up many bad habits. But health is more important, isn't it?

For example, regular apples, if eaten regularly, will help get rid of iron deficiency and protect brain cells from the “attacks” of free radicals: the substances contained in apples help the body produce more neurotransmitters necessary for memory restoration, and also prevent the accumulation of cholesterol in the blood. It is known that it is with an excess of cholesterol that deposits and plaques form in the vessels - the blood supply to the brain deteriorates, and memory weakens.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are something without which the normal activity of brain cells is simply impossible. They are found in fatty sea fish, and you don’t need to buy expensive fish - ordinary herring will do; in virgin vegetable oils, fresh nuts and seeds, leafy vegetables, sprouted wheat. Among leafy vegetables, spinach stands out for its usefulness - it’s a pity that this plant is not very popular in our country. Eating spinach improves brain function and increases the resistance of its blood vessels to damage.

Carbohydrates are also necessary - not simple ones, which are rich in white bread and sweets, but complex ones, from which the brain will receive nutrients - these are cereals, legumes and grains, vegetables and unsweetened fruits, durum wheat pasta and baked potatoes.

Nuts and dried fruits are very useful for nourishing the brain.

I would also like to note such a product as Jerusalem artichoke - it is rich in antioxidants, carbohydrates and B vitamins. If you grow and prepare it correctly, dishes made from it will taste very pleasant.

Hemp products are also interesting - for example, hemp oil and hemp porridge. Now the value of this plant, which has undeservedly become the talk of the town, is gradually being remembered: doctors of the past treated many diseases with cannabis, including epilepsy, migraines, multiple sclerosis, depression and sleep disorders. Hemp oil can be purchased at a pharmacy or health food store and added to dishes just like any other oil.

Among the seasonings, if your memory is deteriorating, you should choose rosemary and sage: the first reduces brain fatigue and improves the ability to remember, and the second restores the balance of necessary chemicals in the brain. Aroma oils obtained from these plants will also help.

Of the drinks, the easiest choice for improving memory would be natural green and black tea in reasonable quantities, and ordinary non-carbonated water - mineral, spring, artesian - in general, clean.

After all, brain tissue contains about 80% water, and its dehydration leads to the inability to store and reproduce information.

Memory training

Experts have noted that people who complain of poor memory almost always have impaired concentration. Any information or event is perceived as if in passing, and changing this perception is not easy.

So what can you do if your memory is deteriorating? Constant training of memory and attention helps here. For example, in the books of the American neuroscientist L. Katz, unusual methods are given that activate these processes: they “force” different parts of the brain to act and create new neural connections.

The simplest exercises: learn to walk around the apartment with your eyes closed, comb your hair and brush your teeth with your left hand (for left-handed people - with your right hand), master the Braille reading system, start learning a new language, etc. In general, try to do the most ordinary tasks in unusual ways. This will make it possible to use other segments of the brain, which will lead to a noticeable improvement in memory.

And know the main thing that we are best protected from any problems and troubles in any situation by a healthy lifestyle and positive thinking. And this, of course, is always worth remembering!

anonymously

I am 30 years old. At the moment I think that I have problems with memory: I forget words, phrases, events, instructions, faces, etc. I forget what I was thinking about 5 minutes ago, and have difficulty reconstructing the events of yesterday. There is a slight fog in my head, a feeling of lack of sleep, although I sleep 7-8 hours, spend a lot of time outside the city, eat normally, don’t smoke, don’t drink, and don’t take medications. Please tell me. What examinations can and should be done in my case, what tests should I take, what doctor (specialization?) should I contact? What courses of procedures should I do? What could possibly be the reason? I don’t want to just take medication, I want to find the reason. Thank you.

Hello! There may be several reasons for memory deterioration. Firstly, these are brain injuries, both direct bruises and hemorrhages, which inevitably lead to problems with memory. The cause may also be a long-term depressive state, especially if it is accompanied by sleep disturbances. One of the reasons that is especially relevant in our modern world is the passion for diets that lead to an imbalance in intake. useful substances into the body and, first of all, carbohydrates, the lack of which leads to deterioration of memory processes. And if this is the reason, then it is enough to normalize the diet, physical activity and rest. The causes of memory impairment can also be purely psychological. Perhaps your thoughts are constantly occupied with thinking about some very important problems, and it becomes very difficult to concentrate on anything else, which leads to absent-mindedness. To determine the presence of cognitive dysfunction, the baseline level is taken into account. Both the patient and relatives are interviewed. Family history of dementia, alcohol consumption, episodes of depression, and medications taken are important. During examination, a neurologist can detect the underlying disease with corresponding neurological symptoms. Analysis of the mental state is carried out using various tests tentatively and in depth by a psychiatrist. Attention, reproduction, memory, mood, following instructions, creative thinking, writing, counting, and reading are examined. For a patient with acquired cognitive deficit, it is necessary to conduct a laboratory examination: blood test, lipid profile, determination of thyroid-stimulating hormone, B12, blood electrolytes, liver tests, creatinine, nitrogen, urea, blood sugar. For neuroimaging of brain damage, computer and magnetic resonance imaging, Dopplerography of the great vessels, and electroencephalography are used.

Consultation with a neurologist on the topic “Memory problems” is given for informational purposes only. Based on the results of the consultation received, please consult a doctor, including to identify possible contraindications.

About the consultant

Details

Neurologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences, medical experience: more than 17 years.
Author of more than 50 publications and scientific papers, active participant in conferences, seminars and congresses of neurologists in Russia.

Sphere of professional interests:
-diagnosis, treatment and prevention of neurological diseases (vegetative-vascular dystonia, dyscirculatory encephalopathy, consequences of strokes, arterial and venous disorders, memory impairment, attention, neurotic disorders and asthenic conditions, panic attacks, osteochondrosis, vertebrogenic radiculopathies, chronic pain syndrome).
- Patients with complaints of migraines, headaches, dizziness, tinnitus, numbness and weakness of the limbs, disorders of the autonomic nervous system, depressive and anxiety states, panic attacks, acute and chronic back pain and herniated discs.
- Functional diagnostics of the nervous system: electroencephalogram (EEG), ultrasound Dopplerography of the carotid and vertebral arteries (USDG), transcranial Dopplerography (TCD), rheoencephalography (REG), echo-encephalography (ECHO-EG).
- Anti-stress back mesotherapy.
- Shock wave therapy.
- Hirudotherapy.
- Mistletoe therapy.

Memory impairment: what are the causes and symptoms? What does it mean to have memory problems? Each of us forgets something from time to time: we often become nervous if we cannot remember where we left our keys, when we forget to wish a friend a happy birthday, when we absent-mindedly confuse the time and are late for the train, or when we forget what day we agreed on a meeting with a friend. What happens in our brain when we forget something? What are the causes of memory problems? Why does memory decrease?

Do you think that you often find it difficult to remember something? When do memory problems become serious and is it worth worrying about? In this article you will learn everything about memory problems.

Do you think you might have memory problems? We invite you to take a short test to find out. You have to choose a “Yes” or “No” answer to each of 14 simple questions about symptoms associated with memory problems.

1. Do you feel that your memory has deteriorated?

2. Do you have to reread the text several times to understand it?

3. Do you often lose personal items, such as keys, money, glasses, etc.?

4. Do you feel that during a conversation it is difficult for you to find the right words?

5. Do you often forget everyday things, such as what you had for lunch yesterday?

6. Your job has not changed, but you notice that Lately Are you facing more difficulties?

7. Do you forget about your plans in the short term? For example, you know you had an appointment with the doctor, but you don't remember exactly what day?

8. Have you found it difficult to use an object or device that previously did not cause you any problems?

9. Have you noticed difficulties when performing tasks that require concentration and attention?

10. Have your loved ones noticed that your memory has worsened recently?

11. Do you feel more disoriented than usual, even in places where you often go?

12. Do you doubt whether you have performed a certain action or not?

13. Do you feel like you are confusing words and it has become more difficult for you to remember the names of films, famous people, etc.?

14. Do you have difficulty remembering all the people in your immediate circle?

If you answered all the questions and your answer was yes to 7 or more of them, then you may have memory problems. However, under no circumstances should the results of this test be interpreted as a diagnosis.

Test your brain's core abilities with the innovative CogniFit

What does it mean to have memory problems?

Memory can be defined as the ability to store and, when needed, access a store of information. Our memory is a collection of systems that allow us to acquire, store and access information. Memory problems are the first thing that people with cognitive impairments or acquired brain lesions complain about, as well as the main cause of concern on the part of their loved ones.

Memory problems are one of the most common reasons for neuropsychological consultations. At the same time, we are talking not only about older people, since memory problems can occur at any age.

However, from time to time we all have trouble remembering a certain name or word, lose our keys, or forget about important meetings.

Many of us are forgetful and distracted every day. But not all memory problems are symptoms cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease or other type of dementia. These pathologies usually manifest themselves in the form of progressive memory problems that are of high frequency and severity. If memory loss is discovered by family or friends and begins to negatively impact a person's daily activities (work, social relationships, etc.), it is recommended that the person undergo professional neuropsychological testing and seek advice from a qualified specialist in the field of dementia and memory problems.

Memory problems affect people of all ages, not just those over 50. According to neuropsychologist Álvaro Bilbao, memory problems are increasingly being observed in young people and even children, which in turn can cause them problems with concentration and maintaining attention. However, memory problems are one of the most common complaints among older adults.

“Memory is the only paradise from which we cannot be expelled.” (J. Paul; Fr. Richter)

Causes of Memory Loss

What are the causes of memory impairment or loss? There are problems with different types of memory, be it problems that prevent access to memories of the past (“What did I eat yesterday?” - retrograde amnesia), or difficulty trying to remember new events, such as what we planned to do next week ( anterograde amnesia). At the same time, memory problems can arise as a result of any acquired brain lesions. Regardless of the reason for memory problems, or what type of problems we are talking about, a person who suffers from this may experience obvious anxiety when noticing problems with their memory.

Anyway, Memory problems are often reversible and can be resolved. In these cases, memory problems arise for reasons that can be controlled in some way. However, in any case, it is recommended to consult a doctor to find the best solution or avoid cognitive deterioration in the future.

Carlos Regazzoni (neurologist) states that some possible causes that can lead to memory problems are related to “increased blood pressure, fluctuations in blood sugar levels, and, in most cases, stress from overwork at work" It is for this reason that more and more young people are complaining of memory problems, and this is not always associated with the terrible diagnosis of dementia.

In order to access memories, it is important to retain information in memory, and to do this we need to use our attention. Often, memory failures are explained by the fact that we do not pay enough attention to something, or even by the fact that our brain sometimes distorts reality. Our memory can malfunction for a variety of reasons. Among main reasons that can cause memory problems

• , the following are distinguished:;
• Stress and fatigue Side effects of any, as well as the effect of therapy in the treatment of certain diseases, for example, in the treatment of oncology;
• Periods of change in our lives, excessive pressure at work;
• Smoking, systematic alcohol consumption or other drugs that harm the brain and negatively affect the volume and quality of memory. Read more about the effects of alcohol on the brain;
• Depression or other mental disorders (eg, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder);

Neuropsychological

• Infections, tumors or brain injuries;
• Lack of sleep: When we sleep, areas of the brain that are involved in memory processes are activated. Therefore, in case of sleep deficiency, these areas will be weakened. It is recommended to sleep an average of 8 hours a day;
• (for example, multiple sclerosis, Huntington's chorea, Parkinson's disease, etc.);
• Moments when we are very tense and we're nervous or we experience too strong emotions;
• Lack of vitamins and unbalanced diet: vitamin B12 deficiency can cause memory problems. Therefore, experts recommend including foods rich in this vitamin in your diet. And in cases of pregnant women or people with gastrointestinal diseases, vitamin supplements should also be taken. Even a high-calorie diet (for example, when people constantly eat in restaurants and fast food cafes) can cause memory problems.

Memory is our asset, which we must take care of every minute. We can eliminate from our daily lives all the factors that may be detrimental to our health, such as poor diet, smoking, excessive drinking, drugs, sedentary lifestyle or lack of activity and exercise for the brain.

When should you worry about memory problems?

If you feel that memory problems are constantly making themselves felt, then the best solution would be to seek advice from a specialist. This way, you can determine whether these symptoms are caused by a temporary factor that can be corrected, or whether they are due to the normal aging process, or, on the contrary, due to some type of cognitive impairment or dementia, and appropriate treatment should be started.

It is recommended to keep under any circumstances positive attitude and be aware of How important is memory training?. If the main reason for our memory problems is stress at work and everyday life, we should be less nervous and worried about it, instead try to spend time on memory training through various strategies. You can do activities such as reading, studying something, solving mental problems, etc.

Memory problems: what can I do to improve my memory?

Don't get too hung up on minor memory glitches. Memory has a limited capacity, and in order to continue to form new memories, we must get rid of memories that are no longer valuable. We tend to remember people, events and places, but we tend to forget details. Thus, We forget things quite often because our brain needs it..

We remember 5% of what we hear, 15% of what we see, and 90% of what we do. What does it mean? A good way to remember something is to store the information at key points so that it is easier to find in your memory storage. What can we do to improve our memory?

• Give yourself instructions out loud: we can significantly reduce memory lapses by giving ourselves instructions out loud. For example: “I should take the car keys when leaving the house,” “I should send an email to a colleague.”
• Visualize yourself in the future: Mentally visualizing the execution of an action so as not to forget about your plans, this can help reduce forgetfulness and memory failure.
• Use CogniFit, the leading assessment and cognitive stimulation program: CogniFit is a non-drug treatment most commonly used to treat memory problems, mild cognitive impairment and early-stage dementia. CogniFit technology is standardized and validated by the scientific community. It is built on the basis of the plasticity of our brain. All you need to do is register! A series of exercises from CogniFit allows you to assess and accurately measure the cognitive strengths and weaknesses of any person.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise helps solve minor memory problems as it oxygenates the brain and rejuvenates the cells. Find out here.
• Watch your diet: A diet consisting of fruits, vegetables and grains may help reduce memory problems. The antioxidants these foods are rich in can help you protect your neurons. Discover.
• Rest properly: Adequate rest is essential to ensure optimal memory performance.
• Plan your activities and make lists: Some people find that they remember things better when they plan and make lists of all the important tasks, taking into account the priority of their completion.
• Other recommendations: If you want to learn how to remember better and minimize memory problems, we recommend that you also read this article about.

To strengthen memory you will need patience, motivation, effort and constant exercise. Once you notice your first achievements and see that your memory problems gradually disappear, your mood and overall well-being will improve, and therefore you will forget much less. “We are what we remember, and we remember what we are.”

Neuroplasticity and memory problems

If the cause of our memory problems is reversible and specific, there is no cause for concern. However, if early stage dementia or cognitive impairment is identified through assessment and diagnosis by a qualified professional, treatment must be started immediately to slow the effects of the disease and trust that all is not lost. Thanks to neuroscience and neuropsychology, the concept of brain neuroplasticity was discovered.

In general terms, according to recent research, we can say that neural plasticity (or neuroplasticity) is “the ability of the nervous system to change its structure and functioning throughout its life in response to environmental diversity and change.”

This ability of the brain allows you to slow down the progression of the disease and maintain it for a longer period of time.

We are accustomed to the fact that memory is a reliable support in our daily life. Memory allows us to sort and store a lot of useful information; without it, the learning process would be impossible; it promptly prompts us with the facts we need. Unfortunately, everyone knows that memory deteriorates with age. Therefore, it comes as a complete surprise to many when memory problems arise at a fairly young or mature age, when a person’s social activity is still very high. In most cases, memory impairment is not caused by a severe primary brain disease, but, most likely, is a consequence of other somatic diseases, work overload, and frequently recurring stressful situations. Therefore, if the causes that led to memory impairment are eliminated in time, it can be completely restored.

What reasons can cause memory impairment in young and adulthood?

Stress

Although it is impossible to avoid stressful situations in everyday life, how a person copes with them, how severe the stress is and how long a person has been in such a situation is extremely important. It is known that prolonged exposure to stress psychologically and physically exhausts a person and, accordingly, negatively affects memory. In such a situation, proper organization of work and rest, adequate sleep, and in some cases psychological help can easily eliminate this problem.

However, stress such as disasters and injuries can lead to more severe memory impairments, in particular to its complete loss (various types of amnesia), requiring specialized help.

Sleep disorders

It has already been proven that sleep is a necessary part of human life, since it is during sleep that the brain works to sort and remember the information received during the day. On average, proper rest requires at least 6 hours of sleep daily. Chronic lack of sleep due to large amounts of work or insomnia leads to increased absent-mindedness, irritability, and, among other things, memory impairment. Normalizing your sleep schedule not only contributes to more complete rest and normalization of memory, but also helps you more easily overcome stressful situations.

Depressive disorders

Sometimes depression, especially following the loss of a loved one, can mimic memory loss. Forgetfulness, absent-mindedness, inattention arise, and self-organization deteriorates. Typically, all these symptoms disappear when depression is eliminated.

Alcoholism

Alcohol abuse not only impairs memory, but in some cases contributes to the development of dementia. Initially, memory impairment manifests itself in the form of isolated episodes of forgetfulness or the inability to remember events that occur while drinking alcoholic beverages. Subsequently, memory impairment becomes more severe and is accompanied by a decrease in intelligence.

Concomitant somatic diseases

First of all, this concerns diseases of the thyroid gland, diabetes mellitus, as well as dysfunction of the main organs and systems (renal, liver, respiratory, heart failure). Some infectious diseases (for example, meningitis, encephalitis, etc.) are also manifested by impaired mental functions, including memory loss. In addition, loss or incomplete recovery of memory can be observed not only during the manifestation of the disease, but also during some period of “recovery” (for example, after a stroke).

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Vitamin B12 is necessary for proper brain function. Therefore, its long-term deficiency leads to damage to brain cells and, accordingly, their functions.

Medications

Taking medications from the groups of sleeping pills, painkillers, antihistamines (first generations), antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs can have a negative effect on memory. In this case, people with impaired liver or kidney function need to be especially careful, since in these cases the removal of these drugs from the body slows down, and their concentration in the blood and brain tissue increases. Usually, drug withdrawal leads to normalization of memory.

Treatment of memory disorders
You can protect brain neurons from harmful effects and improve their functioning with the help of a new generation drug - NOOPEPT. Its peculiarity is its unique peptide nature, supplying brain cells with amino acids that play an important role in memory mechanisms. NOOPEPT promotes memory restoration by acting on all phases: initial information processing, generalization and retrieval. The drug increases concentration and facilitates learning processes. NOOPEPT also helps reduce anxiety, irritability and improves sleep.

Something happened to my memory...(c)

In this article, we will consider the most popular causes of memory loss, by eliminating which you can achieve a noticeable result in its improvement. Read about what memory is and what types of human memory are known in psychology.

Of course, many of us look with admiration at people with phenomenal memories and secretly, or maybe openly, envy them. Most people believe that a good memory is a sign of great intelligence and intelligence. But it is not so. Therefore, I want to encourage those whose memory is not phenomenal and forgetfulness becomes a habit. Many outstanding personalities suffered from absent-mindedness.

Forgetfulness is not always a consequence bad memory. Often this is simple inattention or a strong passion for something. So strong that everything else just flies out of your head. In addition, our brain receives great amount information and simply throws away everything unnecessary and unimportant in order to clear space for something more significant. So, if you forgot to turn off the light in the restroom a couple of times, don’t worry and sound the alarm. Most likely at these moments you were simply thinking about something else. It’s another matter when you notice signs of memory deterioration constantly, and this interferes with a full life. In this case, it is necessary to understand why memory began to deteriorate and take the necessary measures.

Causes of memory impairment

Memory problems occur in completely different people. Of course, the main risk group is people over 50, but according to some data, recently, memory complaints from young people have begun to appear more and more often. The reasons may be different. From overwork to serious health problems. Therefore, if you notice constant memory lapses, you should contact a specialist and identify the reasons.

So, here are some of the most likely causes of memory loss:

— Stress, depression, anxiety. In an overexcited or, conversely, too melancholic state, a person cannot focus attention on anything other than those stimuli that drive him into this position. Forgetting something important in this case is as easy as shelling pears.

— Lack of sleep, chronic fatigue. Mode, mode and more mode! In I mentioned how important sleep is for remembering information for the long term. Well, chronic fatigue simply reduces concentration and attention.

— Bad habits(alcohol abuse, smoking). Everyone knows about this. Tobacco and alcohol reduce the level of attention, perception and memory.

— Vitamin deficiency. During periods of vitamin deficiency, the body is weakened, which can negatively affect memory. Fruits, vegetables or simple ascorbic acid with vitamin C will recharge the body.

— Information overload. This is a very pressing problem today. We are literally “bombed” with information shells. The Internet, TV, radio and other media strive to stuff us with their news and “sensations”. Reducing or at least filtering the incoming megabytes into the brain will help reduce the load and your bright head will not be clogged with excess garbage.

— Lack of oxygen. Fresh air and walking are, in principle, good for the brain and the body as a whole. If you live in a metropolis, it would be nice to at least sometimes find time to go out into nature.

In most cases, in order to improve your memory and restore it to its former strength, it is enough to simply eliminate the above reasons for its deterioration. However, if you want more, you can use simple exercises to develop memory.

Read about how you can in the next article.