Aging and memory loss

It is normal for people both young and old to experience minimal or short-term memory loss. Certain causes, such as mental disabilities, accidents, trauma, drugs, alcohol and even the lack of good nutrition can contribute to the loss of memory. Generally, if the cause is treatable, memory loss can often be resolved and managed.Unfortunately, the same isn't true with memory loss due to age. The clinical term for this condition is senile dementia, which refers to a general impairment of the intellect that is usually found in older people. It affects about 10% of people over 65, with 20% of cases attributable to drug reactions and the majority caused by Alzheimer's disease.

The cause of memory loss due to age

Tests have shown that intelligence is barely impacted by memory loss. However, the loss of recollection (both short-term and long-term) is actually caused by physical changes in the brain. As a person ages, neurons, the brain's nerve cells, die off and don't reproduce as quickly. Nerve impulses also decline, which explains why reactions in older people are often delayed. Other than difficulty in processing information, elderly people also experience memory loss. Sometimes, the problem is significant enough that it actually interferes with their daily functions. Scientists and researchers suspect that other than physiological changes in the brain and the effects of drugs, there are also other factors that contribute to memory loss. These include diseases caused by aging and probably, effects of free radicals.

The trouble with memory and age

The problem with losing memory is that it has a debilitating effect on people. At first, it will become a source of embarrassment : forgetting the car keys, your Social Security number, even forgetting to pick up the laundry. And then it becomes serious : forgetting faces, names, what you ate for lunch earlier, where you were a few hours ago. It can even become a danger : people who have lost their memory might wander around, get lost or even place themselves in risky situations. As a result, people become withdrawn, irritable, paranoid or even delusional.

Preventing memory loss in spite of aging

It is interesting to know that while memory loss has been accepted as an inevitable part of aging, the process of getting old actually has nothing to do with the loss of memory. In fact, many people who are well advanced in their years still enjoy clear, unhampered memory. Most experts agree that memory-related problems such as short-term memory loss and age-related memory loss can be managed. In fact, they can even be prevented or at least delayed. They point to several activities that help enhance memory, such as:-maintaining a complete, healthy diet-engaging in exercise and other enjoyable activities-using brain exercises such as puzzles, mazes and mathematical problems-learning new skills such as a foreign language or playing a musical instrument-

undergoing memory training

According to memory experts, just because your body is growing old doesn't mean you have to let go of some of the most precious recollections in your life. By becoming informed about what lies ahead and what you can do now, it's easier to enjoy an older life that is filled with good things and great memories.