Info: Memory

WHAT IS MEMORY?

In a nutshell, memory is the ability to store and recall facts and the events of our lives.  There are three types of memory:

SENSORY MEMORY- This type of memory, outside of our conscious control, operates within an extremely fast time frame (less than two seconds) and is very short lived.  It refers to items detected by the senses- hearing, sight, and so forth.  There is a large capacity for unprocessed information, but we are only able to process a small amount of it.

SHORT TERM MEMORY- This type of memory allows one to recall, without memorization, a number of facts (usually five or five) for several seconds to a minute.  "Chunking", or grouping numbers or facts into groups of three, allows one to remember more facts.  It relies more on audial input than visual input, although trying to remember words that sound the same ("dog", "hog", "fog", etc.) tends to confuse us.

LONG TERM MEMORY- This type of memory lasts from a few days to a number of years, even decades.  Short term memory becomes long term memory through connection with other important information and through repetition.  This can occur naturally through reflection and usage, or deliberate recollection and repetition.  Information that is perceived to be important is often easier to remember.

HOW DOES MEMORY WORK?

Memory is a very complicated activity, one that I admit I don't understand fully. I'll try to explain what I do, and I think I'll skip all of the chemistry and neurology and large words that one can't pronounce.  When it comes down to it, memory takes place in three stages:

STAGE ONE- Encoding.  You take in the information through your senses, entering it into SENSORY MEMORY.

STAGE TWO- Consolidation.  Your brain takes the information, encodes it, processes it, and stores it, usually in SHORT TERM MEMORY. 

STAGE THREE- Retrieval.  This is when a person recalls the information.  After many uses of the memory, or practice memorizing it, it can enter into LONG TERM MEMORY.

SYMPTOMS OF MEMORY LOSS

Symptoms of memory loss may include: the inability to remember events, memory that gets worse over time, confusion, irritability, and difficulty completing tasks.

CAUSES OF MEMORY LOSS

MENTAL AILMENTS- Anxiety, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), depression, stress.

METABOLIC DISEASES- Diabetes, thyroid gland diseases, and lung, liver, or kidney failure.

NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES- There are many, most prevalent being Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, Huntington's Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's Disease, and Schizophrenia. None act specifically on memory; instead memory loss is often a casualty of generalized neuronal deterioration. Currently, these illnesses are irreversible, but research into stem cells, psychopharmacology, and genetic engineering holds much promise.

TOXINS- Alcohol, drugs (both prescription and over-the-counter) and other toxins can lead to free radicals, and overexposure to them may cause blackouts and memory lapses.

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY- Damage to the brain can cause parts of it to stop functioning, inhibiting the ability to use it to remember things properly.  When a patient, known as "HM", had brain tissue removed in an attempt to cure his epilepsy, he suffered anterograde and retrograde amnesia, providing the first evidence to scientists of the localization of memory function.

NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY-  Just like the rest of our body, the brain needs certain nutrients, such as B vitamins and amino acids.  If it gets too much cholesterol and triglycerides, it doesn't get enough blood and nutrients.  When our memory goes blank, it may be the brain calling out for nutrients that will support the neurotransmitters it needs.

WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY

HEALTY DIET- Eat a balanced diet and drink plenty of water.  Keep calorie intake moderate.  Make sure it's rich in antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.  Take a vitamin/multivitamin.

MENTAL ACTIVITY- Challenge yourself by doing brain teasers, learning new things and reading.

NAP- Get plenty of rest.  Fatigue can affect the concentration and memory of people of any age.

REDUCE TOXINS- Don't smoke or use tobacco products.  Use alcohol in moderation.  If in doubt about a drug, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using it.

SLOW DOWN- Forgetfulness may indicate that you have too much on your mind.  Slow down, focus your attention on one thing, the task at hand.

STAY ACTIVE-  Exercise regularly, and try to participate in social activities.

STAY SAFE- Avoid head trauma by wearing seat belts in cars and helmets on bicycles and motorcycles.  Avoid such activities as boxing that have a high risk of head injuries. 

STRESS REDUCTION- Stress can impair memory and put the areas of the brain involved with memory processing at risk.  Try meditation, yoga, and other relaxing activities.

STRUCTURE YOUR LIFE- Use alarm clocks and calendars, lists and notes, and keep a schedule.  Have one location, like a table by the door, that you store items you have a tendency to loose, like your wallet or purse, cellular phone, keys, etc.  Park your car in the same place at the office.

THERAPY- Problems such as depression, grief, and loneliness can affect your memory and more.  In many cases, talking with a therapist can help.

OTHER MEMORY-RELATED CONDITIONS

ANOMIA (aka NOMINAL APHASIA)- Those with this condition have suffered damage to the frontal and parietal lobes of the brain, causing them to experience TIP-OF-THE-TONGUE PHENOMENON (where one can almost recall the word they are trying to describe) on an ongoing basis.

KORSAKOFF'S SYNDROME (aka KORSAKOFF'S PSYCHOSIS or AMNESIC-CONFABULATORY SYNDROME)- This is an organic disease that affects memory.

HYPERTHYMESIA (aka HYPERTHYMESIC SYNDROME)- Those affected by this disorder cannot forget small details that otherwise would not be stored in their memory.

MEMORY TEST

There is a neat test to see how your memory is at the following site: http://www.memorylossonline.com/learning_memory/mem_games/verbaltest1.html

http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/is-your-memory-normal

http://www.suddenmemoryloss.com/

http://www.healthynewage.com/memory.html

http://www.memorylossonline.com/index.htm

http://www.ilcusa.org/media/pdfs/isoa.pdf