There has been more than one study on how to improve memory and reasons for memory loss. Let's review some causes for impaired memory.
Suppose you decide you need help enduring a nerve-racking airplane ride, so you swallow one of the calming, hypnotic prescription drugs designed for insomniacs and sufferers of panic attacks or anxiety. These are drugs like alprazolam, triazolam, or zolpidem. (One well-known drug that has become more popular just in the past few years is Ambien.) Unfortunately, a side effect of such a drug is a condition also known as 'traveler amnesia'.
Normally, once a person stops the use of the prescription drug that caused the amnesia, memory begins to improve. Even though you should always be aware of the side effects of any drug, it is possible that something new will develop that wasn't discovered in the study of the drug. Also, because each person is unique, a drug may cause a reaction only one person may experience.
Another study done on memory loss involves head trauma. This can lead to transient post concussive syndrome. Symptoms are mental dullness, poor memory, depressed mood, and headaches. These symptoms can last a few days or a few weeks. Often after a tragedy such as a vehicle accident that causes extensive head injury, the resulting concussion brings immediate mental confusion.
Other ways to obtain head trauma include hitting a head during a hard fall, something heavy falling on the head, or someone hitting your head with a hard object (accidentally, or during a fight).
There have been a large number of studies done regarding memory impairment caused by diseases or psychological problems. With a disease there is hope of improvement, depending on how far the disease has progressed before proper help was obtained. Also, science and technology constantly allow more information to be discovered. As for psychological problems, there is treatment for the underlying problems through psychiatric care, counseling, and medication. Often the memory can be used as a healing tool against itself, such as through reliving an event to better understand why memories were blocked.
An important thing to understand in many cases of memory impairment is that repetition may be crucial to positive progress. We must teach ourselves to do something over and over until we can unconsciously remember because of habit. Some people are creatures of habit and can only get through their days with the most success if they stick to their routines. Anything that deviates from their routine can cause anxiety and throw their mental balance off course significantly. Their routine becomes their mental and emotional security blanket.
Several types of animals have been used in laboratories as a basis to study memory improvement. Hence the old mouse in a maze routine! Dogs can be taught to win contests by their abilities to remember and follow set courses with obstacles. Orangutans have been taught to learn sign language because of their ability to grasp and remember. Lost cats have found their way home after extensive travel. So, the study of memory continues to amaze and confound science and the medical world!
There is no cure for Alzheimer but care and cure can go along way in improving the condition as the disease is considered to be life threatening and has no permanent cure whatsoever. However, alternative medicine help is being sought in order to help the condition. These includes herbs and dietary supplements. But the challenges faced by alternative medication are that the safety and effectiveness is unknown. Purity is also an issue, as FDA has no authority over supplement production. Side effects and reactions are goes unnoticed and documented in most cases and closes the door to further research. Consumers rarely read the warnings and in some cases they are not even documented on the product. Most of the supplements are known to counteract with the prescribed medication and can seriously accelerate one or more adverse reactions.
According to a recent study 1 out of 10 elderlies suffer from this disorder and by 2050 14 millions in America are probable to suffer from this disease. The disease has seven stages and the duration of suffering varies from three to twenty years. The disease is inherited in most cases. In few cases it is acquired due to physical illness clubbed with irrational habits such as drugs, drinking and smoking. As the disease is labeled as the most complex disease any permanent cure has not been reached as of yet. People from Alzheimer suffer for years, and their sufferings are not limited physically but more so psychologically and emotionally. Eventually they die after suffering for 6 years after diagnosis however their neurological system is affected by disease much before that at times even for twenty to twenty five years. The worst experience for the patients is that they die in midst of strangers as they forget their family and friends and keep tracing their identity till they are consumed by the disease completely.
But it becomes all the more difficult for the people who take care of the patient, as they have to cope with stress in all orders from physically, financially and emotionally. Their resources are consumed in the medication for the illness that can continue for years altogether without any hope of recovery. They can make it more comfortable for the patient by sticking names on the photograph of family members and keep it in view of the patient. They can also stick tags on drawers on the basis of its content. Placing a list of phone number of doctor, friends and relatives also helps the person incase he wants to reach anyone. By keeping the person involved in favorite activities can keep the stress of recalling at bay. In the late stages of his disease religious books could be read out to him and music can be played to soothe him. But nothing comes close to the physical proximity of near and dear ones at such time of distress.
During all this while stress is sure to take a toll on the caregiver so the caregiver must enroll in relevant forums and community service organizations. All this while many emotions can victimize the caregiver such as grief, guilt, anger, embarrassment, and loneliness. Discussions with other caregivers help in venting out feelings and sharing different techniques to further ease their job. As there is nothing as intriguing as to see the near one suffer and nearing to death. At times it can be physically challenging too. So help should be sought such as hiring day care or nurses at a later stage.
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