Amnesia

Forgetfulness is a very common symptom of memory disorders in adults, especially the elderly. The most notable memory disorder is memory decline, which significantly impacts the lives of the elderly. Therefore, every effort should be made to address memory disorders in the elderly.

There are many different causes of memory disorders, with the central nervous system playing the most important role. Memory disorders are quite common today, especially among the elderly.

Regular physical activity, improved blood circulation, and a cheerful spirit will slow down the aging process.

Reasons for memory disorders

Memory disorders can be caused by the rapid aging of nerve cells, environmental factors, stress, sleep disorders, etc. Memory disorders manifest in many different ways, the most common of which is forgetfulness.

Studies have shown that the human central nervous system (brain) is composed of approximately 15-20 billion neurons (nerve cells) at birth, and from the age of 20 onwards, these cells gradually decrease daily (30,000 to 50,000 neurons), not to mention the effects of disease and other factors impacting the brain. The gradual aging of central nervous system cells is accompanied by a decrease in their functions, including affecting memory and causing forgetfulness.

There are many reasons why the central nervous system ages, but the atherosclerosis of the blood vessels supplying the brain plays the most significant role. Like other bodily tissues, the central nervous system requires continuous, uninterrupted nourishment. However, as age increases, the atherosclerosis of blood vessels increases, reducing blood flow to the brain. The less blood flow to brain tissue, the more atherosclerosis occurs. Therefore, most elderly people experience more pronounced memory loss as they age.

In reality, forgetfulness also occurs in adulthood, but not as frequently. For example, some people lock their doors before leaving home but then wonder at work if they locked them, feeling uneasy and having to go back to check. Forgetfulness in the elderly, especially those with weakened health, is often referred to as "confusion." In some cases, they are overjoyed to see an acquaintance but cannot remember their name. They may even forget the names of their own children or grandchildren, with whom they often share meals.

To illustrate the cognitive decline in the elderly that causes forgetfulness, the saying "I've eaten, but I haven't" has been around for a long time. There are also some elderly people who remember things very clearly but are no longer able to arrange them in the correct order according to space and time, so their thoughts or speech are jumbled, mixing up events, making it difficult for listeners to understand what they are trying to say. Some elderly people often repeat a story or event many times, thinking it's the first time they're telling it.

Is it possible to overcome forgetfulness?

Combating aging is quite difficult, but it's not impossible. While a comprehensive solution isn't feasible, addressing individual symptoms is possible. This requires coordinated efforts between the elderly and other stakeholders (family, society).

Improving lifestyle and daily routines, and avoiding stress, plays a crucial role in slowing down aging. Even after retiring from work, it's important to organize daily tasks and create a specific schedule for each time slot. Develop a habit of working on time, and maintain a consistent schedule for personal activities, avoiding excessive disruption throughout the day. Keep household items organized and easy to find, preventing confusion. Maintain a positive and optimistic outlook, avoiding boredom and loneliness. Allocate time for leisure activities such as reading, watching TV, gardening, watching fish, or joining a club to play your favorite sports and exercise your mind.

Getting enough sleep each day is essential for effective nervous system relaxation, so avoid staying up late. Sleeping for 6-7 hours each night is sufficient; and take at least an hour nap at midday.

Besides a healthy lifestyle, diet is equally important in combating aging. Therefore, a proper diet is essential to limit aging. It's necessary to consume sufficient nutrients to maintain normal bodily functions, even in older adults. According to scientists, nutrition is a key weapon in preventing many diseases, including memory disorders and forgetfulness.

A daily diet needs to be sufficient in quantity and balanced in protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Therefore, vegetable oils, especially peanut oil and sesame oil, should be included in the daily diet. If possible, olive oil should also be used because these oils contain anti-inflammatory substances and help prevent atherosclerosis by increasing good cholesterol (HDL-C: protects the walls of arteries) and decreasing bad cholesterol (LDL-C: increases atherosclerosis).

It's advisable to regularly include antioxidants in your meals, such as vegetables and fruits like bean sprouts and onions (rich in vitamin E); grapefruit, lemons, oranges, tangerines, and many vegetables (rich in vitamin C); and gac fruit, carrots, pumpkins, papayas, and mangoes (rich in beta-carotene). You should also increase your intake of legumes and beans, or eat brown rice a few times a week. To help combat aging, you should eat fish instead of meat, ideally 2-3 times a week. The best fish to eat are herring, tuna, and mackerel. Limit your consumption of red meats (chicken, dog meat, buffalo, beef, horse meat) as they are high in cholesterol. Drink enough water daily, in both summer and winter, about 1.5-2 liters is sufficient. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.

Regular exercise and physical activity are essential. Even if a person eats and drinks enough, gets enough sleep, and performs their daily tasks, if they don't exercise regularly, their blood circulation will be poor, their spirits will be low, and aging will occur more quickly and intensely. There are many ways to exercise, such as walking, playing badminton, hula hooping (for women), and swimming.

According to suckhoedoisong.vn - NT