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Why People Lose Memory

When a person begins to lose his memory, he begins to lose the things that are most important to them. He loses recollection of sentimental moments, the ability to identify others and, most important, the ability to identify himself. There are numerous causes of memory loss, and although researchers have found ways to slow it down, there is still no absolute cure for the devastating disorder. According to the Mayo Clinic, memory loss has become an accepted fact in the lives of many adults, particularly the elderly.

  1. Alzheimer's

    • The most common cause of memory loss is Alzheimer's disease. There are as many as 4.5 million Americans suffering from Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease occurs when there is a natural degeneration of the brain, which normally happens over time. The National Institute of Aging states that Alzheimer's is irreversible, and destroys both memory and thinking skills. Although there is no cure for the disorder, researchers from the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Center discovered that drinking coffee daily reduces memory loss in Alzheimer's patients. The lead researcher, Gary Arendash, PhD, believes that these findings could lead doctors to consider caffeine as an actual treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

    Head Trauma

    • Another cause of memory loss is amnesia, which is normally caused by trauma to the brain. Those with amnesia experience memory loss on a large scale, and forget vital facts, important people in their lives and significant events. Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis found that people with amnesia not only forget the past, they have a difficult time imagining the future. This is because what happened in the past is closely tied to how individuals see their future.

    Considerations

    • Some people lose their memory because of alcoholism, minor head injuries, or medication. Fortunately, these types of memory losses are considered temporary and are reversible. Those who suffer from memory loss because of alcoholism experience what scientists call the Blackout Phenomenon, which is a specific type of amnesia caused by heavy drinking. The Blackout Phenomenon causes a person to forget what occurred during a drinking binge.

    Dementia

    • Memory loss can also be caused by dementia. Dementia is found predominantly in older people and affects their social and intellectual abilities. Memory loss caused by dementia is normally accompanied by impaired judgement. There are treatments for dementia that can slow or minimize the symptoms.

    Prevention

    • You can take steps to prevent memory loss and keep your brain sharp. These include staying organized, socializing regularly, exercising, maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in activities that help keep you mentally active. Crossword puzzles, sudoku, playing a musical instrument, and reading all exercise the brain and help prevent memory loss.

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