Memory problems

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Bottom Line's Health Breakthroughs 2007 Bottom Line Health See book keywords and concepts

Proven Ways to Keep Your Memory Very Sharp Lynn Stern, MSW, senior clinical social worker who helps people overcome memory problems, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor. She is coauthor of Improving Your Memory: How to Remember What You're Starting to Forget. Johns Hopkins University. Unlike the memory experts who perform tricks on stage and television, Lynn Stern spends many hours each week actually helping people who have memory problems. In her 20 years at the University of Michigan's Turner Clinic, Stern has learned what works—and what doesn't—to improve memory.

The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. See book keywords and concepts

Only participants with no previous memory problems participated, and it's hard to demonstrate improved memory with people who don't have memory issues to begin with! This study also doesn't negate the possibility that ginkgo could be effective for people with memory problems or other forms of dementia. And of course the JAMA study doesn't address the many other benefits of ginkgo—as an antioxidant and antiinflammatory, for example. (Interesting FYI: JAMA also published the above-mentioned study showing the benefit of ginkgo for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's!

You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

If you're experiencing memory problems that are causing you alarm, eliminate some key chemicals from your lifestyle first, before adding anything new. That includes such things as artificial foods (like sweeteners), MSG, and even shampoo (better to make sure the inside of your head is clean, isn't it?). Finally, despite their lifesaving benefits, statin drugs can uncommonly cause reversible memory loss, a discussion that you should pursue with your doctor if you are more concerned about your memory than your heart.

Before You Take that Pill: Why the Drug Industry May Be Bad for Your Health J. Douglas Bremner See book keywords and concepts

The main problem with the tricyclics is their anticholinergic side effects: dry mouth, constipation, memory problems, confusion, blurred vision, sexual dysfunction, and decreased urination. Other problems include heart arrhythmias and blood pressure drops. Elavil is associated with the worst of these problems and probably shouldn't be used. The anticholinergic side effects of the tricyclics are especially bad for the elderly, who are more susceptible to the memory-impairing effects of these medications.

Topiramate can cause tingling, confusion, blurred vision, memory problems, stomach pain, depression, or ringing in the ears. Alternative Medicines A variety of products are sold in stores as natural weight-loss aids, most of which have not been scientifically evaluated. Seven percent of Americans, most of whom are young women, are using over-the-counter weight-loss products.

Bottom Line's Health Breakthroughs 2007 Bottom Line Health See book keywords and concepts

Here are his solutions to common memory problems... Problem: You call directory assistance for a phone number, but you don't have a pen to write it down. Solution: After you hang up, repeat the number out loud. There's something about hearing yourself say what you want to remember that resonates in the brain and enhances recall. Speak slowly. The faster you go, the less you remember. It's much more effective to say the phone number once or twice in a deliberate rhythm than to repeat it over and over in a hurried manner.

Vitamins and Minerals Demystified Dr. Steve Blake See book keywords and concepts

Iron deficiency has been found to increase the intestinal absorption of lead, which contributes to learning and memory problems. High-Risk Individuals for Iron Deficiency Rapid growth rates coupled with limited intakes of iron can cause deficiency in children between the ages of six months and four years. Infants are normally born with enough iron stores to last the first six months. The period of rapid growth in early adolescence is also a time of risk for iron deficiency. Adolescent girls who are growing rapidly and also menstruating are at a high risk of iron deficiency.

Bottom Line's Health Breakthroughs 2007 Bottom Line Health See book keywords and concepts

Should you opt to continue the medication, at least you'll know that related memory problems are likely to stop when you stop taking it. MEMORY TRIGGERS Fortunately, most memory changes occur over a period of many years, and this usually gives you time to adapt before they become serious. Successful strategies... •Do something unusual to trigger your memory. For example, to remember to stop at the grocery store on the way home from work, switch your watch from one wrist to the other earlier in the day. The mild but nagging discomfort acts as a reminder.

Unlike the memory experts who perform tricks on stage and television, Lynn Stern spends many hours each week actually helping people who have memory problems. In her 20 years at the University of Michigan's Turner Clinic, Stern has learned what works—and what doesn't—to improve memory. She says that scientists do not understand exactly how it happens, but as we get older, nearly everyone's memory slowly undergoes certain changes... •It becomes harder to remember words that were once familiar to you—a friend's maiden name, for example, or the type of dog your uncle had as a pet.

You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

For our purposes, we're tackling them all together as age-related memory problems because of the similarities in how they change people's lives. Your Brain: Mind and Matter Before we crack some skulls and dive inside the brain, let's quickly look at what memory really is: Essentially, it's the process of learning information, storing it, and then having the ability to recall it when you need it—whether to solve problems, tell stories, or save yourself on the witness stand. Learning begins with those power connections in your brain: neurons firing messages to one another.

Conscious Health: A Complete Guide to Wellness Through Natural Means Ron Garner See book keywords and concepts

As the Candida die-off happens, toxins released by the dying Candida can cause a worsening of the previous symptoms, including fatigue, concentration and memory problems, and muscle and joint pains. Reactions usually begin during the first week of the program and may continue for one or two weeks. Staying with the control diet and program is important and the reward is worth working for. Candida's Mixed Blessing According to Drs. Hal Huggins and Thomas Levy40, Candida does have its positive side, if that's a consolation.

You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

While there's no evidence suggesting that aluminum causes memory problems, it's better to try to avoid it. One way to reduce the aluminum you absorb: Use sea salt instead of table salt, which is processed with aluminum to avoid caking. Other things that contain aluminum include nondairy creamers, antacids, cans, certain cookware, and antiperspirants. Are You Losing Your Mind? When it comes to brain problems, it's not easy to diagnose yourself or a loved one. Yes, you'd like to write off a memory lapse as a natural part of aging, and in many instances, it is.

Health and Nutrition Secrets Russell L. Blaylock, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

First, let's look at studies that have been done on less severe memory problems, such as age-related memory loss. In one study, using thirty-one people over age fifty with mild to moderate memory problems, those taking Ginkgo extract showed a significant improvement in several standardized tests of brain function.478 In another study, eighteen elderly men and women with a slight age-related memory problem47" were given the Ginkgo one hour before the test, and then tested repeatedly on both visual and word identification to examine information-processing by their brains.

Feel Better, Live Longer with Vitamin B-3 Dr. Abram Hoffer, MD, FRCP (C) and Dr. Harold D. Foster, PhD See book keywords and concepts

So, too, were her fears and memory problems. Her husband, a well known poet, wrote that "the change in [B.K.] since she started the vitamin treatment and particularly the choline has been nothing short of amazing." For the treatment of Huntington's disease, high dose vitamin B-3, vitamin E, and other vitamins, as well as adequate nutrition, with up to 5,000 calories daily given in five meals, is recommended. References 1 Still CN. Nutritional therapy in Huntingtons's chorea: Concepts based on the model of pellagra. Psychiatric Forum 1979;9:74-78. 2 Still CN.

You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Surprising tidbit: Even over-the-counter cold and allergy medications can contribute to memory problems; in fact, injecting lab animals with the active ingredient in Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a research model for memory loss that immediately simulates Alzheimer's. YOU Tip: Learn to Tell a Joke. There's lots of evidence that a good laugh can help improve your immune system, and humor can also have a valuable effect on your memory.

The Most Effective Natural Cures on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth about What Treatments Work and Why Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S. See book keywords and concepts

This study also doesn't negate the possibility that ginkgo could be effective for people with memory problems or other forms of dementia. And of course the JAMA study doesn't address the many other benefits of ginkgo—as an antioxidant and antiinflammatory, for example. (Interesting FYI: JAMA also published the above-mentioned study showing the benefit of ginkgo for patients with dementia and Alzheimer's!) "The value of any dietary supplement cannot be determined on the basis of one study alone," says Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council.

G i n kgo for Memory Enhancement OKAY, NOW THAT I've got your attention, let me add the requisite and boring disclaimers: If you're healthy, young, and have no particular health issues or memory problems, taking ginkgo isn't going to help you ace an exam that you would have otherwise failed, or suddenly start remembering what you had for breakfast four days ago. But that doesn't mean ginkgo doesn't have profound and important effects on the brain and other aspects of your health. It does.

Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- and How YouCan Get Back on Track Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C. with Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

The five-foot, four-inch, 187-pound, Mississippi native had dangerously high blood pressure, joint pain, allergies, memory problems, depression, frequent nosebleeds, and a huge sugar addiction. After her near-death experience, she joined an overeaters' support group, quit sweets, began eating nourishing foods, started exercising, lost 55 pounds, and regained her health. Two years later, when Dr. Butler became principal of Browns Mill Elementary School in Lithonia, Georgia, her new students were unruly, unfocused, tardy, often sick, and "larger than the norm.

Alternative Medicine Magazine's Definitive Guide to Sleep Disorders: 7 Smart Ways to Help You Get a Good Night's Rest Herbert Ross, DC with Keri Brenner, L.Ac. See book keywords and concepts

Do you regularly have any of these symptoms: bloating, headaches, depression, fatigue, memory problems, impotence or lack of interest in sex, muscle aches with no apparent cause, or mental fogginess? • Do you experience symptoms of premenstrual syndrome? • Do you have cravings for sweets, products containing white flour, or alcoholic beverages? • Do you repeatedly experience any of these health difficulties: inappropriate drowsiness, mood swings, rashes, bad breath, dry mouth, postnasal drip or nasal congestion, heartburn, urinary frequency or urgency?

Body Signs: From Warning Signs to False Alarms...How to Be Your Own Diagnostic Detective Joan Liebmann-Smith, Ph. D., and Jacqueline Nardi Egan See book keywords and concepts

Indeed, exposure to heat and hot water can temporarily worsen MS symptoms, which include tremors, blurred vision, and memory problems. Heat intolerance can also be a red flag for anhidrosis, the inability to sweat. This can be a life-threatening condition. (See Chapter 8.) People who don't sweat can get so overheated, they're at increased risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. SIGNING OFF There are a myriad of body parts in and on the torso, and there are an almost infinite number of things that can go awry with any of them. Below is a list of specialists who might help.

You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty Mehmet C. Oz., M.D. and Michael F. Roizen, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

Your Blood Supply: While there's a strong genetic component to memory problems, we'd be remiss if we didn't address the arterial component of an aging Figure M Power Outage Apo I proteins that bind cholesterol are like workers clearing junk to ensure a good connection between neurons. Apo E4 gets in the way, and the power lines sag under a substance called beta-amyloid. Figure 1.3 Delivery Failed When blood (and the nutrients if s carrying) can't get to the brain, tissues shrink—and you start to lose memories. tain Pills?

Sugar Shock!: How Sweets and Simple Carbs Can Derail Your Life-- and How YouCan Get Back on Track Connie Bennett, C.H.H.C. with Stephen T. Sinatra, M.D. See book keywords and concepts

They may have many side effects, including changes in liver function; muscle pain or weakness; memory problems; depression; shortness of breath; and, on rare occasions, even death. Tragically, despite the studies showing the downside of cholesterol-lowering drugs, the medical community, including cardiologists nationwide, have concentrated on the alleged wonders of lowering cholesterol and continue to ignore the relationship between high blood sugar, insulin surges, and heart disease.

But what's particularly intriguing about his research is that he studied nondia-betics and found that those people whose elevated blood sugar levels were not high enough to be considered diabetic also experienced memory problems. What's especially scary is that these days, children with type 2 diabetes are also experiencing cognitive difficulties, points out Dr. Convit, who is now studying children between ages 14 and 18 with type 2 diabetes to determine how well their brains work. "Up until 10 years ago, the predominant type of diabetes cases in children was type 1 diabetes.

The Myth of Alzheimer's: What You Aren't Being Told About Today's Most Dreaded Diagnosis Peter J. Whitehouse and Daniel George See book keywords and concepts

If, however, you are not familiar with anyone who has sought out medical care for memory problems, there are several important organizations committed to helping you locate highly regarded clinicians. The one to whom most people turn is the Alzheimer's Association (AA). Though I quibble with the name and aims of the organization, the local chapters of the AA usually do a good job providing core services to families, including information and referral, support groups, care consultation, assessment of needs, and education and safety services.

Before you talk to a medical specialist—neurologist, geriatrician, or psychiatrist—I recommend that you address your concerns with a primary-care physician and discuss how your memory problems are affecting your health. But if your physician is uncomfortable discussing these issues or doesn't fulfill your need for information, then the proper thing to do would be to ask for a referral to a specialist.

It is often the case that memory problems affect caregivers more than the patients themselves. For instance, many of my patients perseverate (repeat themselves). Though they are unaware of their repetition, it is often extremely wearing on their caregivers. Consequently, caregivers are often the best judges of normalcy, and it is wise to defer to their expertise. Problems with language People with dementia often forget simple words or substitute unusual words called "neologisms," making their speech or writing difficult to understand.

Unfortunately, doctors often make the mistake of ignoring the person with memory problems, particularly if they are severe, and talk only to the family. A good doctor relates to everyone and appropriately makes the patient the center of attention. I usually sit on a stool right in front of the patient and rotate left and right to direct my gaze and attention to the family members who are speaking. If this is not your experience (with or without the stool), you may want to consider looking for another physician.

In recent years, some clinics have begun offering a test for people with memory problems to see if they are carriers of ApoE-4 as part of the diagnostic evaluation. Since the E-4 allele is associated with risk for other dementias besides Alzheimer's disease, it is not very helpful in narrowing down the diagnostic choices. The procedure has drawn much scrutiny, and all respected clinical guidelines from professional organizations recommend against the use of the ApoE test.

Once again, initial studies of people with memory problems provided evidence that such nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) as ibuprofen, naproxen, and indomethacin might be helpful for brain health, but these early studies were not replicated. Taking these drugs can cause serious side effects like bleeding in the gastrointestinal system. the excitatory cell death hypothesis Other studies have implicated the mechanism of excitatory cell death (ECD) in AD. In the ECD theory, neurons are thought to die through excess stimulation by excitatory amino acid neurotransmitters.

Decoding the Human Body-Field: The New Science of Information as Medicine Peter h. Fraser and Harry Massey See book keywords and concepts

Although the actual symptoms vary from patient to patient, a CFS diagnosis usually results when a patient has suffered with several of the following symptoms and there is no other cause to account for them: unrelenting fatigue for at least six consecutive months, short-term memory problems, aching joints and muscles, tender lymph nodes, chronic sleeplessness, headaches, generally impaired thinking, and more. There are several hypotheses about what causes CFS.

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