I’ve heard many people suggest with a few episodes of memory lapse or loss that they are developing Alzheimer’s Disease. That usually isn’t the case, and I understand the concern, since the disease has virtually exploded in epidemic numbers over the last 25 years, with no identifiable environmental causes.
According to psychiatrist Dr. Sameer Parik, “Forgetfulness has become a common problem among young people nowadays. The most common reason being the inability to sustain attention and concentration thereby not having an adequate registration of cues in the memory banks.”
Nutrient deficiencies, stress, multitasking, depression, grief, terror, shock and anxiety can lead to temporary forgetfulness among youngsters.
Stress affects the memory primarily by depleting it, causing poor sleep-awake patterns, substance use, lack of time for one’s own self; all these have an impact on our cognitive functions (the process of thought).
What to do? Improve lifestyle, do not have long hours at any tasks, take multiple breaks, and work on focus and motivation.
Can the problem aggravate? In some cases, it could be secondary to other problems like psychiatry and neurological disorders. So if basic lifestyle corrections don’t help, an expert advice should be taken. Do medicines help? Supplements of folic acid can improve memory function of people at risk of cognitive decline associated with ageing or dementia. Medications should be taken only when prescribed by an expert.
Memory Improvement Tips:
Effectively manage day-to-day stress: Young, active people usually attribute forgetfulness to external causes such as work stress or family issues.
Minimize smoking and drinking: Heavy drinkers find it very difficult to remember even simple tasks.
Eat a balanced diet and take care of nutritional requirements: Nutritional deficiencies result in the brain being starved of nutrients. Good nutrition helps in maintaining brain health. Choline and Inositol, two B vitamins play a key role in the cellular functions that regulate memory in our brains. Vitamin C or E supplements are also associated with better memory function, and also assist with reducing the physical signs of stress.
Many nutrients have been indicated in improving memory function, as well as preventing or slowing memory decline with age.
Balanced intake of monounsaturated fatty acids has been associated with protection against memory loss. Right diet with a proper balance of Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids (which our body cannot produce and must come from food) helps brain cells to communicate between them easily.