By Charlotte Zhong, Candidate for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine 2016
Memory loss is often attributed to the natural process of aging; therefore, this symptom can be easily disregarded by many patients as a fruitless concern. However, patients and their families should be made aware of the fact that there are reversible causes of memory loss that are easy to treat. If you are experiencing memory loss, a healthcare professional can help evaluate the cause of the problem and guide you through the proper steps of management. Although mild forgetfulness is not considered an alarming symptom in adults, it is important to visit a doctor if the onset of memory loss is sudden, severe, accompanied by personality changes or focal neurological deficits such as slurred speech, weakness, etc.
CONNECT WITH YOUR BRAIN
What are common causes of memory loss?
Medications
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Many common medications can interfere with memory: antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and pain medications are a few.
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Alcohol, tobacco, or drug use
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Excessive alcohol use has been shown to cause memory impairment in many ways. Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen that gets to the brain. Illicit drugs can cause chemical imbalances within the brain that impair its function.
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Sleep deprivation
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Getting too little or poor quality sleep can lead to fatigue, which interferes with the brain’s memory-encoding mechanisms.
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Stress
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Tension and anxiety can overstimulate or distract the mind which can impair the ability to remember.
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Depression
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Being depressed can make it difficult to pay attention and concentrate. Pseudodementia is a term used to describe depression presenting as memory loss. Depression (including thoughts of suicidality, loss of interest, feelings of guilt, decrease in energy, difficulty concentrating, loss of appetite, agitation, sleep disturbance) should be brought to the attention of a doctor.
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Nutritional deficiency
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A balanced diet with high-quality proteins and fats help keep brain cells healthy. Lacking certain vitamins like vitamin B1, B12, and E can also affect memory.
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Other
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Other possible causes include: an underactive thyroid gland, infections such as HIV, tuberculosis, and syphilis, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and dementia.
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HARMONIZE THE MIND & BODY & SPIRIT
How does nutrition influence memory loss?
Brain cells and nerves all throughout the body require good fats, proteins, and vitamins that help keep their signaling pathways smooth.
A balanced diet includes:
Healthy fats
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olive oil, nuts (almonds, cashews, pecans), avocados, fish (salmon, tuna)
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Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
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Common dietary sources include cereal grains, oatmeal, brown rice
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Vitamin B12
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found in most animal derived foods such as meat, poultry, eggs, and milk
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Vitamin E
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olive oil, nuts, dark green leafy vegetables
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Water
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Dehydration causes brain fog, irritability, fatigue, and various other symptoms. Keeping hydrated is essential for optimal delivery of nutrients to the brain and for removing toxins.
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What lifestyle modifications can help
Know your own body’s reaction to medications. Let your doctor know if you are experiencing any side effects to medications. Consider collaborating with your physician on alternative methods of treatment rather than continuing medications with unfavorable effects.
Consider decreasing or stopping alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. These chemicals are harmful to the brain. Let your doctor know if you are interested in quitting and to learn more about resources are available to you.
Find healthy ways to deal with stress. Find time to partake in activities that relax you. This differs for everyone; it can include yoga, meditation, drawing, singing, boxing, cooking, cleaning, and more. Studies have shown that the endorphins released during exercise are a potent stress reducer which can also help alleviate symptoms of depression.
Exercise good sleep hygiene. Minimize distractors before bedtime. Avoid watching TV or use of other electronic devices right before bed. Exercising late at night can also be counterproductive to falling asleep. A good night’s sleep is essential for the brain to rest and recharge.
Know your own body’s reaction to medications. Let your doctor know if you are experiencing any side effects to medications. Consider collaborating with your physician on alternative methods of treatment rather than continuing medications with unfavorable effects.
Consider decreasing or stopping alcohol, tobacco, and drug use. These chemicals are harmful to the brain. Let your doctor know if you are interested in quitting and to learn more about resources are available to you.
Find healthy ways to deal with stress. Find time to partake in activities that relax you. This differs for everyone; it can include yoga, meditation, drawing, singing, boxing, cooking, cleaning, and more. Studies have shown that the endorphins released during exercise are a potent stress reducer which can also help alleviate symptoms of depression.
Exercise good sleep hygiene. Minimize distractors before bedtime. Avoid watching TV or use of other electronic devices right before bed. Exercising late at night can also be counterproductive to falling asleep. A good night’s sleep is essential for the brain to rest and recharge.
INTEGRATING COMPLEMENTARY ALTERNATIVE METHODS
What can you expect from your osteopathic physician?
Osteopathic physicians are trained to incorporate the mind, body, and spirit when evaluating the patient as a whole. Psychological, physiological, and outside causes of memory loss will all be screened for. Osteopathic physicians can also incorporate their knowledge of neuromuscular medicine to help manually treat problems such as acute or chronic pain that would otherwise need medications. Furthermore, addressing any physical tension may relieve psychological stress and improve mood and quality of sleep.
What other alternative remedies are available?
Taking appropriate amounts of multivitamins are encouraged by a majority of physicians if daily values are hard to meet with food alone. As with other medical conditions, there is a popular rise in the pursuit of alternative medicine. The following is a list of popular herbs used in homeopathic medicine to prevent and treat memory loss. Gingko Biloba, ginseng, rosemary, sage, and green tea all contain antioxidants to combat free radicals that contribute to health disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia.Studies have shown that some of these herbs can also enhance memory. Blueberries are also shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that play vital roles in improving brain function, slowing cognitive decline, and in preventing memory loss that normally comes with aging.