Memory lapses in women, men and the elderly

An infrequent symptom of various pathological processes are memory lapses, which are a complete or partial loss of memories. Pathologies that can cause such a violation can be diseases of the central nervous system, brain, as well as intoxication, head injuries, significant psychoemotional shocks. Some patients have false replacement of forgotten episodes with invented events (fiction).

Treatment of memory lapses are engaged in doctors psychoneurologists, psychotherapists, neurologists, depending on the pathology identified in the course of diagnosis. [1]

Causes of the memory lapses

Remembering and retaining information is one of the most important functions of the human brain, which determines the preservation and further reproduction of certain events, states, etc. If this function is lost, it may be due to a number of different factors, both physiological and psychological.

Physiological causes that provoke the occurrence of memory lapses are considered to be:

• diseases associated with circulatory disorders - especially cerebral circulatory disorders;
• cerebral hypoxia;
• various intoxications, including alcohol and drugs;
• senile dementia, pre-onset dementia (Pick's disease);
• autoimmune pathologies;
• diseases affecting the central nervous system and brain;
• metabolic disorders;
• head injuries;
• chronic inflammatory diseases, systemic pathologies;
• prolonged or uncontrolled treatment with antidepressants, sedatives, tranquilizers;
• surgical interventions;
• infectious lesions of the central nervous system and brain.

Psychological reasons for the appearance of disorders can be:

• systematic or deep stress, excessive stress on the nervous system;
• Chronic fatigue syndrome, asthenia, disturbed sleep and rest;
• excessive emotional, mental stress.

No less often the appearance of such disorders is associated with negative age-related changes in brain activity.

Among the most common causes of the disorder, the leading ones are:

• prolonged or deep depressive states, severe stress;
• Vascular pathologies (including strokes, cerebral vascular spasms, atherosclerosis);
• acute hypoxia, distress syndrome.

Memory lapses due to medication are more common in the elderly, as they are the ones most likely to regularly take medications that affect brain and nervous system function.

Stroke and memory lapses

Tissues of the brain receive nutrition thanks to blood vessels. When metabolic processes are disturbed, traumatic injuries and natural aging of the body, the function of blood vessels may be impaired. For example, within the vascular network are formed thrombi, leading to blockages or ruptures of blood vessels. Blood circulation is disturbed, the brain is affected: stroke develops. [2]

Usually, the more extensive the degree of damage to the vascular network, the more vivid the manifestations of pathological symptoms. After a stroke, many patients experience complete or partial loss of memories. The extent of such consequences can be due to the following factors:

• the degree of damage to a particular brain region;
• speed and quality of care;
• the patient's general state of health, his age;
• the intensity and quality of rehabilitation.

If the impairment is profound and extensive, post-stroke care becomes more difficult: recovery becomes either impossible or difficult and time-consuming. Partial memory lapses can be eliminated, but this requires both medication and the help of the patient's family and loved ones. It is desirable that the patient practiced special gymnastic exercises, perform intellectual tasks that enhance brain activity - in particular, the departments responsible for the processes of long-term and short-term memory. No less important role plays and correction of the diet: it should contain foods enriched with fatty acids, vitamins B-group, tryptophan. Useful seafood, legumes, greens, buckwheat, nuts. A full rehabilitation program to restore the function of reproduction of memorized information and eliminate "gaps" is made by the attending physician - neurologist. [3]

High blood pressure and memory lapses

Arterial hypertension is one of the most common diseases in the world. Its danger lies in the simultaneous damage to the arteries that supply blood to vital organs and structures. The brain is also affected, which eventually leads to cerebral circulatory disorders or ischemia.

Hypertension is an insidious pathology, as it does not always give itself notice by clinical manifestations. Sometimes patients learn about their disease after the disease process has worsened. Damage to the cerebral artery with increased pressure entails the development of lacunar cerebral infarcts. Diffuse cerebral lesions cause symptoms such as memory lapses, bilateral increased muscle tone, and impaired control over pelvic functions. [4]

High blood pressure can cause not only acute ischemia with impaired cerebral circulation, but also increasing vascular encephalopathy. The pathology is clinically manifested by significant memory impairment, changes in gait (shakiness, unsteadiness), incoherent speech, etc.

Treatment of hypertension is always complex. With signs of encephalopathy, the drug Kavinton, which normalizes vascular tone, provides blood transport to affected brain areas, optimizes blood flow, improves the delivery and absorption of oxygen and glucose by neurons - the components responsible for their normal function. Glucose-oxygen insufficiency can cause the death of nerve cells responsible for memory and thinking processes. The consequence of such insufficiency is impaired concentration and forgetfulness.

Memory lapses after drinking

Some people, even young people, experience "erasure" of certain events after drinking alcohol. As a rule, this happens because of a large volume of alcohol drunk, or if a person drinks on an empty stomach or too often (regularly). The cause of this phenomenon lies in the hypothalamus: this area of the brain seems to shut down under the influence of alcohol.

Such "gaps" are not uncommon. According to statistics, it happens to about 40% of people who drink alcohol.

The hypothalamus "shuts down" when the blood alcohol level reaches a certain point: 0.2%, or approximately 2 ppm. At risk are people of slim build, people who smoke or take light drugs, and women.

Alcoholic amnesia is the first sign that it is time to reflect on your lifestyle and make the appropriate correct conclusions.

Drugs that cause memory lapses

A side effect of some medications is impaired memory and reproduction of stored information. Especially often such a symptom appears if the drug is taken incorrectly and without a doctor's prescription. These are, in particular, such medicines:

• antiparkinsonian drugs (Apomorphine, Ropinirole, Pramipexole);
• Antiepileptic drugs (Fentanyl, Neurontin, Diamox, Tegretol, Morphine, Hydrocodone, etc.);
• medications to treat depression (Amitriptyline, Desipramine, Anafranil);
• drugs for the treatment of hypertension (Tenormin, Timolol, Carvedilol, Inderal, Metoprolol, etc.);
• antipsychotics prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia, paranoia, bipolar disorder (Haloperidol, Thioridazine);
• anticholesterol agents, statins (Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, etc.);
• sleeping pills (Diazepam, Lorazepam, Chlordiazepoxide, etc.);
• anti-allergic drugs (Dimedrol, Desloratadine, etc.);
• Antibiotics (Fluoroquinolone, Amoxicillin, Levofloxacin, Cephalexin).

Unfortunately, a large number of drugs, treating one pathology, can provoke the development of another. This should be known, first of all, to those who self-medicate and do not consult doctors.

Risk factors

Age is considered the most common known risk factor for memory lapses. However, such impairments are not an inevitable consequence of age-related changes: they only occur as a result of nerve cell death, which leads to the loss of certain brain functions. Counteracting such disorders is a high cognitive level, which can be genetically or anatomically determined, but often becomes a consequence of increased cognitive adaptation. Taking this into account, experts advise taking measures throughout life to increase the brain's resistance to various stimuli, to increase its plasticity (adaptability), to create the necessary margin of safety. This is facilitated by physical activity, regular mental workload (including solving crossword puzzles, scandals, etc.), extensive communication.

A link has been found between the occurrence of memory lapses and factors such as lifestyle. In particular, play a significant role:

• Hypodynamia, little or no physical activity;
• overweight, obesity;
• Lack of balance in nutrition, monotonous or incomplete diet;
• tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption;
• diabetes, high blood pressure.

Other potential factors include depression, poor education, social isolation, and cognitive avoidance.

Dietary intake plays a major role in the development of various disorders affecting the processes of information retention and reproduction. The Mediterranean diet is considered to be optimal for maintaining memory processes, providing for low consumption of meat and dairy products, with a predominance of fish, seafood, vegetables, herbs, berries and fruits. Scientists have proven that such a diet lowers the risk of cardiovascular pathologies, reduces plasma glucose and serum insulin levels, decreases insulin resistance, and reduces markers of inflammation and oxidative stress. [5]

Prolonged or major depressive disorders entail gradual cognitive impairment, impairing attention, decreasing the speed of mental reactions, and upsetting analytical performance. Memory lapses are typical, involving both recent and distant events, and may be associated with loss of motivation.

Another risk factor that many people ignore is sleep disturbance. Lack of adequate rest is directly related to the development of vascular diseases, strokes, high blood pressure, arrhythmia, aggravation of existing stressful situations. A special role in the appearance of forgetfulness is played by arterial hypertension in middle-aged patients. At the same time, the most dangerous in this regard is considered an increase in systolic and a decrease in diastolic index. [6]

In recent decades, memory disorders have been increasingly registered in persons who have suffered mild or moderate traumatic brain injuries. Victims complain of difficulties with concentration, amnesia, which significantly aggravates the possibility of their return to a normal life rhythm. In such cases, it is very important to continue medication management throughout the recovery period. [7]

Pathogenesis

Memory lapses can be caused by a huge number of very different factors and processes. Often such disorders are a consequence of asthenic syndrome, which, in turn, is provoked by psychoemotional overload, depression or anxiety. In addition, similar disorders are characteristic of some somatic pathologies.

Memory lapses are not always dangerous, but for many patients they are an indication of other serious conditions:

• asthenic states as a result of excessive fatigue, multiple or chronic stress, hypovitaminosis, somatic pathologies;
• intoxications of a chronic nature, causing damage to brain structures and general disorders due to toxic effects on the liver and simultaneous vitamin deficiency;
• acute and chronic disorders of the circulatory system affecting cerebral vessels (atherosclerotic changes, strokes, vascular spasms, age-related changes);
• head trauma, traumatic brain injury;
• tumors in the brain;
• senile dementia, dementia;
• of psychopathology;
• genetic and congenital pathology.

Diseases have a complex effect on the brain. For example, during a brain injury, not only the damaged nerve tissue dies: neuronal membranes are affected, local blood circulation is disturbed. These processes lead to edema of tissues, to a lack of oxygen in the brain. In turn, the function of the vasomotor and respiratory brain center is impaired, shortness of breath occurs, cardiac activity suffers, which further impairs blood flow to the brain. Thus, hypoxia is aggravated. If against this background there are disorders such as amnesia, it becomes almost impossible to restore function to a normal state. [8]

Vascular dementia is accompanied by the development of progressive "gaps". One of the main factors in the appearance of pathology - systemic atherosclerosis - causes chronic insufficiency of oxygen in the brain. At the same time, the inner surface of the vessels is damaged, atherosclerotic plaques are formed. As a result, the general blood circulation is disturbed, oxygen deficiency becomes even more noticeable. The heart also suffers, heart attacks and heart failure occur: neurons continue to die, memory impairment worsens. [9]

The most dangerous conditions that provoke the appearance of failures are as follows:

• lack of oxygen, causing damage to brain neurons;
• metabolic disorders affecting nerve tissue;
• direct or indirect nerve cell death.

Oxygen deficiency can be represented by variants such as:

• exogenous - appears against the background of external general oxygen starvation;
• endogenous - occurs due to internal causes (pathologies: intoxication, atherosclerosis, blood diseases, etc.).

Metabolic disorders are usually treatable, so there is a fairly high chance of restoring memory function (at least partially). In the case of neuronal death, however, there is no chance of regaining the lost ability.

Epidemiology

Memory lapses - episodic or permanent - are quite common disorders that can happen to almost every person. In severe disorders, they can significantly complicate life and worsen its quality.

More than a hundred different pathologies are known that cause various such disorders. The main series of such diseases are:

• neurodegenerative;
• vascular;
• combined vascular-degenerative;
• dysmetabolic;
• neuroinfectious;
• demyelinating;
• liquorodynamic abnormalities;
• tumors and head injuries.

"The culprit" can be not only an organic disease of the nervous system, but also a psycho-emotional disorder (most often - depression).

According to statistics, regular "forgetfulness" is observed in every third to fourth inhabitant of the planet. The main percentage of pronounced memory lapses is found in patients over 65 years of age. Young patients and middle-aged people are more likely to suffer from impaired working memory function associated with remembering new information, which negatively affects the ability to learn.

Symptoms

Often the first sign of acquired dementia is the appearance of memory lapses. However, in most people, such disturbances are not associated with the development of dementia.

Specialists talk about these most common causes of the malfunction:

• age-related changes in the brain;
• cognitive impairment;
• depressive states;
• cognitive decline, dementia.

Age-related changes are manifested by periodic deterioration of information memorization and reproduction in the course of aging of the organism. Older people begin to complain about difficulties in remembering new data, forgetfulness of certain episodes and events. Such "gaps" may occur from time to time, causing feelings of discomfort and confusion. However, intellectual abilities are usually not impaired.

In moderate cognitive disorders, there is a true deterioration of functionality not associated with slowed recall. At the initial stages of pathological changes, short-term (episodic) memory function is impaired: patients cannot remember what was discussed in a recent conversation, where keys or other objects usually lie, forget about a prearranged meeting. The remote memory function usually "works", concentration of attention is not impaired. About every second patient with moderate cognitive pathology develops dementia several years (3-4) after the onset of memory lapses.

Patients with acquired dementia (dementia) have memory lapses combined with cognitive and behavioral disorders. For example, there are difficulties with speech, motor skills, planning and organizing daily tasks, and aphasia. Many patients, because of forgetfulness, find it difficult even to prepare food, pay utility bills, etc. Personality characteristics change: regular forgetfulness makes a person irritable, restless, and less contactable. [10]

Depressive disorders often occur in people with amnesia. And at the same time, the depressive state itself can lead to such disorders - of the type of dementia (pseudodementia). Other depressive symptoms are also noted in such patients as standard. [11]

Delirium is an acute psychotic state that can be provoked by a severe infectious disease, drug therapy (as a side effect), or withdrawal of certain medications. Patients experience "forgetting" against a background of severe generalized disorders and cognitive dysfunction. [12]

As the amnesia disorder progresses, patients may forget events, dates, circumstances, and so on. Particularly dangerous are deep and frequent gaps (lapses), when a person forgets to turn off the gas, lock the doors, pick up the child from school, etc. Some diseases, along with forgetfulness, may be manifested by such symptoms as mental fogginess, irritability and irritability, depression, neurosis, etc., as well as forgetfulness.

First signs

Divergent memory lapses and changes in thought activity can be suspected if the patient notes such pathologic signs:

• confusion, constant confusion while doing household chores or work tasks;
• unusual forgetfulness - e.g. Of recent events, dates, names etc..;
• speech changes (forgetting words, expressions, disturbances in the perception of other people's speech);
• difficulty in performing simple tasks;
• impaired spatial orientation, especially in previously familiar environments;
• an increasing daily dependence on the people around him;
• behavioral, personality changes (irritability, indifference, etc.);
• episodes of delirium, disorientation, hallucinations.

These signs can be expressed in varying degrees - from mild to significant, characteristic of gross intellectual impairment.

The first signs in some patients appear suddenly, as sudden lapses in memory, and in others - slowly progressing. This depends more on the individual characteristics of the body.

Specialists distinguish memory lapses according to a quantitative clinical factor:

• Amnesia is the absolute erasure of events that took place during a certain period of time. In turn, amnesia can be total, retrograde, anterograde and retroanterograde.
• Hypomnesia is a partial (permanent or temporary) impairment of memory processes.

Depending on the degree of memory impairment, such types of forgetfulness are distinguished:

• Fixation memory lapses are characterized by impaired or complete loss of the ability to record events or information;
• anecphoria represents the difficulties of timely recollection;
• pseudoreminiscence is the "replacement" of missing, erased episodes with memories associated with other events that took place, but at a different time;
• confabulation is the replacement of gaps with fictions, often unrealistic and implausible;
• cryptomnesia is the substitution of gaps with events that are "not one's own" (heard from someone, seen on TV, read in a book, etc.);
• echomnesia is the patient's perception of current events as having already happened to them.

Signs of partial impairment:

• affectogenic lapses in memory (only "special" memories that caused vivid negative emotions are erased);
• Hysterical memory lapses (only unpleasant or compromising memories are partially erased);
• scotomization (removal of memories in parts, fragments, without any connection to positive or negative emotions).

Memory lapses in the young

Memory lapses are usually associated with aging, but young people often complain of forgetfulness too. So why does this happen? There are many reasons for this.

• Multitasking, attempts to manage "everything at once" have a negative impact on memory processes: a person loses the ability to concentrate, is constantly distracted, which leads to the development of stress.
• Stress is a major enemy of both young and old people, impairing concentration on new information.
• Mental disorders in the form of depressive or anxious states makes a person worry excessively about small things, which negatively affects the processes of memorization.
• Insufficient or shallow sleep leads to a deterioration in mood and ability to concentrate, fatigue and foggy head. Regular sleep deprivation can lead to problems such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and so on.
• Hypofunction of the thyroid gland is manifested by constant fatigue, drowsiness, apathy, inhibition of concentration.

Forgetfulness in youth is rarely provoked by a complex neurological pathology. However, it is definitely not worth ignoring the problem if such symptoms are present:

• forgetting the names of friends and relatives with whom there is close and regular communication;
• repeatedly losing things;
• you forget what you just said.

Such suspicious signs are not necessarily a serious illness, but still a reason to see a doctor.

Memory lapses in the elderly

The extent of memory lapses in old age depends on both the extent of age-related changes and the presence of other diseases affecting the brain and vasculature. In addition, there is a fairly high probability of developing dementia, various cognitive disorders, Alzheimer's disease. [13] For example, the criteria for Alzheimer's disease are as follows:

• mild memory lapses, intellectual disorders, as evidenced by the patient himself or his loved ones;
• impaired thinking function;
• lack of difficulty in habitual activities.

Dementia, or senile dementia is considered to be an already gross disorder involving degradation of thought and behavioral processes. Dementia develops in old age, which is certainly not the norm for age-related changes. In most cases, the problem forms much earlier, as a consequence of a prolonged build-up of complex cognitive disorders. [14]

Gross impairment of memory function and mental alertness may be associated:

• with Alzheimer's, dementia with Lewy bodies;
• with vascular dementia (particularly stroke or recurrent microstrokes);
• with corticobasal degeneration, frontotemporal dementia;
• with primary progressive aphasia or Parkinson's disease accompanied by memory lapses;
• with multiple systemic atrophic processes, normotensive hydrocephalus;
• with moderate cognitive impairment, Binswanger's disease;
• with encephalopathies of autoimmune and inflammatory etiology, non-vascuolitic meningoencephalopathies;
• with previous head trauma, cerebral arteriopathy, progressive supranuclear palsy;
• with tumor processes in the brain (memory lapses can occur both before and after surgery);
• with anxiety disorders, depression, insomnia;
• with Hashimoto's encephalopathy, Huntington's and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Memory lapses in women

The most common causes of forgetfulness in women are considered to be:

• Stresses, nervous exhaustion, and depression often affect the female nervous system. And since the brain activity is focused on what bothers, then in relation to other areas appears absent-mindedness. A woman stops focusing on certain things, which creates the appearance of "failure".
• Chronic sleep deprivation, exhaustion is especially characteristic of young mothers. Their constant attention is focused on the baby, and this happens almost around the clock. As a result, not only the memory process may be disturbed, but also other health problems may develop.
• Alcohol consumption is especially undesirable for the weaker sex: even small doses of alcohol can cause them impaired thinking and other disorders.
• Some medications, such as sleeping pills, sedatives and antidepressants, also cause shallow memory lapses. It is no secret that women take such drugs more often than men, and often without a doctor's prescription.
• Hypovitaminosis - a frequent consequence of strict diets and monotonous nutrition practiced by women in order to lose weight. Forgetfulness may well appear against the background of a lack of folic acid, B vitamins, nicotinic acid.

Memory lapses in men

Men forget things just as often as women. However, their forgetfulness is more often related to other factors.

• Craniocerebral injuries, which can result in both minor forgetting of certain moments before or during the injury and severe amnesia.
• Vascular atherosclerosis leads to increasing circulatory disorders. This can lead to strokes and serious problems with brain function.
• Intoxications (including alcoholic, narcotic) cause damage to brain tissue, disrupt endocrine and cardiovascular function.

Forms

Short-term temporary memory lapses

People with systematic memory lapses are not always aware of the problem. Therefore, malfunctions are most often detected by relatives, friends and friends. But this is not always the case: if a person has a tendency to anxious and depressive states, then at the appearance of violations, he can fixate on them, which further aggravates the situation. Often forgetfulness is overestimated, and ordinary non-pathological situations are taken as memory lapses. For example, if we forget what a person's name is, or can not remember where he saw, or periodically lose keys - this is not in all cases a cause for concern. Often such "falling out" is caused by individual peculiarities, absent-mindedness, switching of attention, etc.

If there are problems with the performance of usual habitual activities, if there is confusion and disorientation in the head, it is necessary to visit a doctor, and it should be done as soon as possible. It is desirable already at the appearance of the first signs of the disorder to start recording any failures, record suspicious moments, episodes of deterioration, the type of forgotten information, the impact of amnesia on various aspects of life.

Periodic short-term lapses in many cases do not indicate any pathology: all people sometimes forget something, and this is a normal phenomenon. The brain "has the right" to forget one piece of information in order to process new information correctly. Another thing is systematic forgetfulness, erasure of large and small episodes from memory, deep and frequent "gaps". All this requires mandatory medical intervention.

Memory lapses and headaches

Pain in the head, dizziness, impaired memory and reproduction of deferred information, constant fatigue, decreased efficiency - such signs can be observed not only in elderly patients, but also in people under 30-35 years of age. These symptoms are not so harmless, as they sometimes indicate chronic circulatory insufficiency in the brain.

Normal brain activity requires a large amount of energy. Oxygen and nutrients are supplied to the tissues through the circulatory system, which is provided by two pairs of main arteries: carotid and vertebral arteries. In this case, insufficient blood flow in one main vessel can be compensated at the expense of the other. Nevertheless, even in this compensatory mechanism may fail due to a disease. As a result, a person has pain in the head, fatigue, dizziness and memory lapses, or even worse - serious neurological manifestations. Most often such a development is observed in arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis.

Memory loss with cervical degenerative disc disease

If there are irregularities or damage to the cervical spinal column, the blood supply to the brain is impaired. In this case, memory lapses are the least serious consequence, since impaired blood circulation can even provoke a stroke.

Additional signs of circulation problems with cervical osteochondrosis are:

• Recurrent head pain that is not or poorly managed by conventional painkillers;
• numbness in the hands, fingers.

To eliminate forgetfulness, it is not advisable to treat amnesia directly. To begin with, it is necessary to consult with a vertebrologist, take an image of the cervical spine, find the true cause of the disorder. [15]

Memory lapses and absent-mindedness

Alzheimer's disease is recognized as the most common root cause of absent-mindedness and memory lapses - this disease is detected in about 65% of elderly patients who complain of such disorders. Most often the first "bells" appear after 65 years, less often - after 45 years. In women, the pathology is registered more often, and usually after 80 years of age.

A key factor in the development of the disease is the disturbed metabolism of the BPA protein (amyloid precursor). In the presence of a corresponding genetic defect in this protein and the enzyme systems that break it down, BPA particles accumulate in brain tissue and blood vessels. As a result, nerve cells are gradually damaged and die.

The main cause of the disease is considered to be a genetic defect, but in some cases the triggers are age-related tissue changes, atherosclerotic and arteriolosclerotic processes in the cerebral vessels, brain injury, chronic oxygen deficiency, hyperlipidemia, lack of cyanocobalamin and folic acid, hyperhomocysteinemia and so on.

Epilepsy and memory lapses

Patients with diagnosed epilepsy can often hear complaints about memory lapses. Since the basis of the disease is an organic lesion of the brain, the appearance of such a disorder is quite understandable. In addition, the causes are often regular epileptic discharges that do not always provoke a seizure, but negatively affect the processes of memorization, fixation and retention of information.

Specialists note that pronounced amnesia-type disorders in epilepsy usually do not occur. However, even relatively shallow "forgetting" can cause additional anxiety in the patient, which only aggravates the situation.

Epilepsy and forgetfulness do not necessarily coexist: many epileptic patients do not have such disorders. Most often, the disruption is noted in the structure of the seizure itself, against the background of behavioral, thought disorders, the appearance of illusions and hallucinations. [16]

Memory lapses and hallucinations.

Older age is a period in which chronic diseases often worsen and new ones develop due to one or another pathological process in the body. One of the diseases characteristic of this period is DTL - dementia with Lewy bodies. This disease, as well as Alzheimer's disease, refers to chronic progressive degenerative brain pathologies. It is manifested by pronounced thought disorders, recurrent vivid visual hallucinations and progressive memory lapses (which, however, occur only at later stages). The peculiarity of the pathology is the appearance of signs typical for patients with Parkinson's disease - that is, tremors in the hands, neck, head, increased muscle tone, vagueness during walking, motor instability. At the same time, already at the initial stage, most patients have delirium, behavioral disorders, hallucinations. [17]

DTL is a fairly common pathology, second only to Alzheimer's disease. Its basic sign is Levy's corpuscles, which are detected during microscopic visualization of brain tissue. Levy's corpuscles are rounded particles located inside nerve cells that disrupt their structure, leading to neuronal death over time.

Memory lapses and shaky hands.

Vascular dementia is the third most common factor in the development of cognitive disorders in elderly patients. In general, cerebral vascular damage in at least 15% of cases leads to the appearance of impaired thinking function. Especially dangerous are cerebral circulatory disorders (strokes, transient ischemic attacks) and chronic cerebral ischemia. The root causes may be hypertension, cerebral atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus.

Another serious disease that is accompanied by tremor and memory lapses is Parkinson's disease. The initial stage of this progressive pathology is characterized by tremors in the fingers and hands, depression, lethargy, sleep disorders. After a while, other, more severe symptoms appear - in particular, shaking of the head, violent movements of the limbs or trunk, i.e. The so-called extrapyramidal disorders.

Memory lapses after ventilating

Disorders of memory and reproduction of stored information after resuscitation and artificial ventilation are not a direct consequence of this procedure. But they can be a complication of the underlying disease that led to the need for ventilatory support, as well as the result of prolonged oxygen deprivation due to respiratory damage.

Memory lapses after anesthesia

Anesthesia is the immersion of the patient in a state of loss of consciousness with the help of special drugs that inhibit the nervous system. Anesthesia helps to perform surgical intervention without pain and at the same time keep the patient in a fixed and relaxed position: this allows the surgeon to make the necessary manipulations without problems.

Indeed, in a small proportion of patients after anesthesia, forgetfulness and minor behavioral changes are observed. Such symptoms can last for a couple of hours or several months, and only in some patients memory lapses persist for years.

According to studies, such consequences are more often recorded after coronary interventions in patients in the older age category - over 60 years old. The risk of complications is higher in prolonged operations and in debilitated elderly patients. After 60 years of age, a decrease in memory function and reaction speed after general anesthesia is found in more than 75% of patients. What this is associated with - is still unknown. Experts advise: to avoid unpleasant consequences, elderly people should prefer to use epidural anesthesia instead of general anesthesia - of course, if it is possible in a particular situation.

Depression and memory lapses

During depression, the brain loses the ability to adequately form new cells. If the depressive disorder is prolonged, the patient may experience pronounced cognitive impairment of the pseudodementia type. After the end of depression, the person's condition is restored, but the ability to memorize may be affected - and the signs often make themselves known not immediately, but after several days, months and even years. The impairment extends to both recent and distant events.

The severity of unpleasant consequences depends on the severity of the depressive disorder. Only a high cognitive reserve, which is genetically or anatomically conditioned or associated with a person's increased cognitive adaptation, can counteract such a disruption. [18]

Memory lapse after a dream

If a person cannot remember any events after waking up, the reasons are as follows:

• intoxication (alcohol, drugs, etc.);
• severe fever, fever;
• a lot of stress the day before;
• severe fatigue.

Lack of sleep also has a negative effect on thinking function. The point is that while a person sleeps, his brain processes and prepares to retain the information received during the day. By the way, scientists have found that the transition to the deep phase of sleep favors the integration and ordering of data, and information from the "department" of short-term memory is transported to long-term memory. If this process is disrupted at any stage, there may be gaps in memories, because part of the information is not stored.

Sleep deprivation and poor surface sleep on a regular basis cause disturbances in the hippocampus, the brain area responsible for memory organization, attention and learning. Such problems are often solved by establishing a sleep schedule: go to bed no later than 10 p.m., get up no earlier than 6 a.m., sleep in a well-ventilated room and on a comfortable bed, do not abuse any source of information (tablet, computer, TV) in the afternoon and especially in the evening. It is also important not to consume stimulating drinks (coffee, energy drinks, etc.) at night.

Memory lapses from stress

When a person is overly anxious or stressed, the process of acquiring, retaining and reproducing information can be impaired. It is important to realize that stress is not always about conflicts, fears, or intense feelings. Sometimes it is also about meeting daily expectations and obligations, practicing multitasking, being overly demanding and setting high expectations.

Memory lapses due to stress are also caused by poor sleep or lack of it, prolonged depressed mood.

Psychotherapists identify these main causes of memory impairment due to stress:

• psychological traumas force a person to "live" the traumatic situation again and again, which can later become a trigger mechanism in the development of post-traumatic stress disorder;
• excessive anxiety affects concentration and thought focus, resulting in difficulty in perceiving and processing incoming information;
• Anxiety disorder develops in people who experience a prolonged state of stress (more than six months);
• panic attacks and disorders are accompanied by acute symptomatology, including impaired memory function;
• obsessive-compulsive disorder "pushes" a person to commit compulsions (peculiar rituals): they have a calming effect on him, but they occupy the overwhelming part of attention, which negatively affects the perception and memorization of other information.

Systematic and prolonged stress leads not only to memory lapses but also to other health problems such as fatigue, headaches, hypertension, eating disorders, weakened immunity, etc.

Memory lapses after coronavirus

Coronavirus infection does not always affect only the respiratory organs: many patients have pathological changes in the nervous system. The exact mechanism of such a lesion is still unknown, but experts are confident in the existence of such a relationship. Under certain circumstances, the virus can penetrate from the nasopharyngeal region into the brain tissue, which can lead to the development of a number of complications.

Scientists have found that neurological symptoms are found in about one in three patients with Covid-19. For example, several cases of encephalitis have been identified, as well as acute autoimmune polyradiculoneuritis leading to asthenia and even paralysis.

Quite often coronavirus patients develop massive stroke - regardless of age (even in middle-aged people). However, it should be noted that such complications are noted only in patients with severe forms of the disease. Much more often, even recovered patients complain of such unpleasant consequences as numbness of limbs, severe weakness, memory lapses.

Through pathologic studies, coronavirus infection was found, among other things, in brain tissue. This is not a peculiarity, since this is also possible with other viruses, such as influenza or measles. However, the danger lies in the fact that getting coronavirus into the brain is able to cause inflammatory and other changes in a short period of time, the degree of severity of which depends largely on the genetic factor and the general state of health of the person. [19]

Multiple personality disorder with memory lapses

Multiple personality disorder is a relatively rare psychopathology that divides a person into two (or more) entities. The disease is complex and is accompanied by a number of other symptoms: memory problems, the emergence of phobias and depression, disorientation, sleep and eating disorders, and so on. Such a syndrome is a cumulative process that can develop under the influence of the following causes:

• a very stressful influence;
• a tendency to dissociate.

Most often patients with split personalities have previously suffered a serious illness, severe stress, loss of loved ones, etc.

First of all, the problem is manifested by frequent memory lapses. While one conditioned subject accepts some information, the other one seems to intercept attention to itself, as a result of which this information is lost: the person instantly forgets what was discussed. In other situations, a patient with split personality loses the ability to recognize the terrain in which he has been before, can not orient and understand his location, and because of this often panic and irritation. These situations often become dangerous to the patient's health and life. [20]

Other signs of split personality syndrome are thought to be these:

• the man hears some inner voices;
• taste preferences change, the patient becomes "overly picky";
• often talks to himself;
• his mood is extremely volatile;
• in conversation, the patient becomes sharp, irascible and even aggressive;
• memory lapses become noticeable to others, although the patient himself does not consider himself mentally ill.

Diagnostics of the memory lapses

First of all, when the patient's complaints of memory lapses are voiced, diagnostic measures should be aimed at recognizing disorders that require urgent medical intervention. After that, limit pathological disorders from the usual everyday forgetfulness, which may be a variant of the norm. In any case, a complete examination of the patient is desirable, especially if the patient is at risk - for example, belongs to the elderly age group.

If possible, the conversation and anamnesis collection is carried out not only with the patient, but also with his relatives. The fact is that many patients are not always able to correctly reflect the situation, point out detailed clinical manifestations, suspect the cause of the disorder. But relatives often help by characterizing the picture "from the outside".

Gathering a history usually involves clarifying such information:

• what exactly is forgetting;
• if there were times when the patient became disoriented - for example, could not find his or her way home;
• how frequent the memory lapses were;
• whether there is an increase in pathology, whether the severity is worsening, whether other symptoms are progressing;
• whether speech, sleep or mood changes;
• whether the professional sphere, domestic activity suffers.

General body examination is directed to detect neurological symptomatology and other pathologic signs:

• of parkinsonian symptoms;
• focal neurological changes characteristic of vascular dementia;
• the inability to look up and down while maintaining balance;
• gait disturbances;
• of movement disorders;
• vestibular and fine motor problems.

The list of medical anamnesis should include information about pre-existing pathologies, medications (both prescribed by a doctor and those that the patient took on his own).

Hereditary and cognitive history consists of collecting information about the initial level of intellectual state of the patient, the degree of education, professional activity and social activity. It takes into account the use of psychoactive drugs, hereditary predisposition to the development of dementia and cognitive disorders.

After the neurologic examination, a mental status evaluation is performed:

• Patient orientation (must answer questions about location, today's date);
• concentration and organization (must repeat the doctor's words, solve a simple problem, spell the word backwards);
• Short-term memory (must memorize and repeat a series of certain words after five, ten minutes and half an hour);
• Long-term memory (must articulate answers to questions about events that happened quite a long time ago);
• Speech function (must name objects as directed by the doctor);
• action and execution function (step-by-step execution of tasks);
• constructiveness (must draw the same picture as the proposed one).

A doctor may suspect a serious memory lapse disorder if a patient exhibits these symptoms:

• behavioral disorders;
• scattered attention spans, clouded consciousness;
• signs of depressive state (loss of appetite, apathy, pessimistic moods).

A minimum list of laboratory tests to diagnose potentially reversible memory lapses includes the following tests:

• general blood and urine tests;
• assessment of the content of:
  • aspartateaminotransferase, alanineaminotransferase, ugutamyltransferase, bilirubin;
  • urea nitrogen, creatinine;
  • thyroid hormones;
  • folic acid, cyanocobalamin.

Instrumental diagnostics consists of computerized tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of the brain. These studies are mandatory for persons with increasing cognitive disorders, as well as in case of a combination of cognitive and other neurological disorders (sensory, motor, etc.). Instrumental methods of research help to exclude neurosurgical problems (brain tumor processes, liquor dynamics disorders).

Differential diagnosis

The differential diagnosis uses:

Neuroimaging in the form of magnetic resonance or computed tomography, with or without contrast, to differentiate organic brain lesions;

• Ultrasound of the cervical and cerebral vascular network, to identify vascular disease;
• electroencephalography (possibly with provocative tests: photostimulation, hyperventilation, sleep deprivation) to differentiate with epileptic syndromes;
• prolonged electroencephalographic monitoring to detect complex diagnostic pathologies accompanied by epileptic seizures;
• microscopy of biological material to identify infectious diseases;
• determination of biological markers, detection of toxins in the blood, blood tests for vitamin levels in the body - for differentiation of intoxications, hypovitaminosis;
• cerebrospinal puncture to diagnose inflammatory and tumor processes in the brain;
• bone marrow puncture to detect malignant blood abnormalities (leukemia).

The term memory lapses itself is usually referred to as amnesia, although there are other terms for such disorders:

• hypomnesia - general forgetfulness, which manifests itself in the difficulty of putting off "in the head" new names, dates, current information;
• anecphoria - a condition in which a person is unable to recall known moments (names, terms, names, etc.) - as they say, "it's going around in his head," but he can't remember;
• Pseudoreminiscence is a breakdown of chronology, where past events seem to be transported into the present;
• Confabulation is a disorder in which the sources of memories are switched - for example, a person sees something in a dream and then believes that it really happened, or vice versa;
• contamination - false information, information mixing;
• amensia is a lapse in memory accompanied by blurred consciousness, thought incoherence, personal and temporal disorientation, hallucinations: this state can last up to several weeks and can transform into delirium.

Replacing memory lapses with fictions

Memory lapses replaced by so-called false memories, or fictions, are called confabulations. They are characterized by pathological conviction of the patient in their plausibility. Fictions can be both existing but past events and imagined or seen (heard) images.

In other words confabulations are called memory hallucinations, delusions of imagination.

Most often such substitution is a consequence of cognitive deficiency: against the background of deterioration of memorization and loss of focus of attention, the place of "gaps" is taken by fictitious or taken from other sources episodes.

Organic diseases of the central nervous system, mental disorders, intoxication and psychotraumas become the immediate causes of the disorder.

Treatment of the memory lapses

To date, there is no such drug that can improve the process of memorization and eliminate "gaps" regardless of the cause of their occurrence. Treatment of the disorder is usually complex: medication and non-medication.

The first step is to conduct social and explanatory work, both with the patient and his or her family. The person should know the answers to all questions about their illness so as not to increase anxiety and avoid stress. Why is this necessary?

Anxiety and additional stress can aggravate the course of the processes that caused the appearance of memory lapses. For example, a person's blood pressure may rise, signs of cerebral circulatory failure may increase, and a depressive state may develop, which will not contribute in any way to recovery.

It is important to encourage the patient's social activity in order to accelerate recovery and improve the quality of life. Regardless of the depth and frequency of memory lapses, a person should communicate with others, be interested in something, be interested in something. Restrict such activity should be limited only if there is a danger to the life and health of the patient.

It is relevant to include in the treatment scheme of physical procedures and sanatorium rehabilitation - provided the patient's normal adaptation to new and unfamiliar places.

Work with a psychologist is mandatory. Some patients are shown hypnotherapy, suggestion and Eriksonian hypnosis, which is especially necessary in psychogenic disorders. Additionally involve sessions of psychoanalysis, Gestalt therapy, body-oriented psychotherapy. If the psychologist will not be able to restore the patient's memory function, then at least he will be able to relieve neurotic tension, take the person out of depression, which will contribute to a faster recovery.

The assistance of a surgeon is indicated if memory lapses were provoked by tumor processes, hemorrhages. Surgical removal of compression of brain structures does not always restore the lost function, but helps to stop further progression of the disorder. The chances of recovery depend on the degree of tissue damage, on the size of the tumor, on the age of the patient.

Yet the primary treatment is drug therapy, consisting of several drug approaches:

• Etiotropic treatment is aimed at neutralizing the cause of the disorder:
  • elimination of hypovitaminosis by administering the necessary vitamin preparations;
  • stopping the inflammatory process, if any, through the use of antibiotics or antiviral drugs;
  • inhibition of intoxication in case of poisoning by administration of adsorbents, antidotes, etc...;
  • treatment of somatic diseases, if they are triggering factors in the development of memory lapses.
• Pathogenetic treatment affects the mechanism of pathology development:
  • Cavinton, Trental are prescribed for vascular diseases;
  • Alzheimer's disease requires the prescription of cholinesterase inhibitors - Neuromedin, Galantamine, Rivastigmine;
  • Piracetam, Pantogam are used to improve cognitive function.
• Symptomatic treatment eliminates unpleasant symptoms of the disease. For this purpose, sedatives, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, etc. Are taken.

How do you recall a memory lapse?

If you urgently need to remember something that you have forgotten, it is advisable to start by asking yourself: is it really necessary? The fact is that only very important or repeated events are firmly stored in a certain part of the brain. Episodic and less significant events may well fail to take hold. It is not uncommon for even healthy people to remember the past perfectly well, while random current events linger only in the form of a "muddy" trace, which cannot be recalled.

Over the years, most people experience a deterioration in the transfer of memories from the short-term to the long-term department, and the volume of these departments may decrease, which can also be called normal. And sometimes events are simply not fixed - either because of their excess, or because of their own wide imagination, which suppresses incoming information.

It is also necessary to realize that the very experience of forgetfulness can prevent you from remembering something. Most often a person remembers the required event when he stops thinking about it. It is optimal to distract oneself with some pleasant impressions, to create vivid images in front of oneself, which will help to unload or reset the brain activity, while not experiencing negative emotions.

Medications

Stabilization of the processes of remembering and retaining information requires a long period of treatment. Usually the doctor prescribes certain drugs, depending on the initial cause of the disorder, on the individual characteristics of the patient.

Alzheimer's disease requires the prescription of strong prescription medications:

• Donepezil is a selective and reversible inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase, the predominant form of cholinesterase in the brain. The drug inhibits the development of Alzheimer's disease, alleviates cognitive symptoms, corrects behavioral disorders. Adult patients take the drug in an initial amount of 5 mg once a day. After 4 weeks, it is possible to increase the dosage to 10 mg per day. Among possible side effects: fainting, dizziness, feeling of fatigue, diarrhea, urinary incontinence, skin rashes.
• Galantamine is a drug, acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, which improves cognitive abilities in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type without affecting the development of pathology. It is taken orally, in an individually selected dosage (from 8 to 32 mg per day, 3-4 doses). Possible side effects: changes in blood pressure, dyspepsia, heart failure, muscle weakness, tremor, chest pain.
• Rivastigmine is a selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor that improves cognitive function, normalizes general physical and mental activity. The initial amount of the drug is 1-1.5 mg twice a day, with a possible further increase in dose. The most frequent side effects are dyspepsia and weight loss. It is undesirable to use the drug in case of convulsions, arrhythmia.
• Acatinol memantine is a drug that blocks glutamate NMDA receptors, which provides nootropic, cerebrovasodilatory, antihypoxic and psychostimulant effects. After a course of treatment with the drug improves the function of reproduction of memorized information, increases the ability to concentrate, reduces fatigue, depression recedes. The initial dosage is usually 5 mg per day, with a possible further increase to 10-20 mg per day. With caution, the drug is prescribed for epilepsy, thyrotoxicosis, seizures. Contraindications: pregnancy and children under 18 years of age.

These medications can improve not only memorization, but also speech, and help improve quality of life.

If memory lapses are infrequent and shallow, these medications may be prescribed:

• Glycesed is a metabolic drug that improves metabolic processes in the brain. It is used sublingually, 1-2 tablets 3 times a day, for 4 weeks. Rarely allergic reactions to the drug are possible.
• Noopept is a nootropic and neuroprotective drug that improves memory function and learning ability. It increases resistance of brain tissue to damage, has an antioxidant effect. The drug is taken after meals, starting with 20 mg per day (divided into two receptions). The duration of the treatment course - up to three months. Do not prescribe with pronounced problems with the liver and kidneys.
• Nootropil (Piracetam) is a nootropic drug that optimizes the processes of learning, memory, attention and consciousness, without psychostimulant and sedative effects. The drug is taken orally, regardless of food intake, in an individually selected dosage. Do not prescribe in hemostasis disorders, chronic renal failure, bleeding.
• Phenotropil is a psychostimulant, nootropic drug, the dosage of which is determined by a doctor individually. Possible side effects include insomnia, psychomotor agitation, increased blood pressure.
• Vitrum Memori is a phytopreparation based on ginkgo biloba, which improves cerebral and peripheral blood circulation. It is taken orally with food, one tablet twice a day, for three months. In some people, the drug can cause allergies, headaches and insomnia. Contraindications: pregnancy and childhood.
• Pyritinol is a nootropic drug that improves metabolic processes in the brain. For forgetfulness, concentration and thinking disorders, take 2 tsp. Suspension three times a day (600 mg of the active component per day). Duration of therapy - at least 2 months (on average - six months).
• Aminalon is a nootropic drug with antihypoxic and anticonvulsant effect. It is indicated for amnesia after brain injury, as well as for alcoholic encephalopathy, atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels. Average daily dosage - 3-3.75 g. Duration of treatment - from one to 4 months.
• Intellan is a general tonic phytopreparation that stimulates mental activity and eliminates astheno-neurotic signs. The remedy is taken 2 tsp. Twice a day after meals, for a month.

Additionally, you can also take homeopathic drops and pills for memory lapses:

• Milgamma Compositum is a drug that eliminates the deficiency of B vitamins, as well as related neurological disorders. Unless otherwise prescribed by the doctor, it is taken 1 tablet once a day for a month.
• Memoria - homeopathic drops that improve metabolism in the brain. They are taken in accordance with the prescription of the attending physician. Rarely treatment is accompanied by the development of allergy to the drug.
• Polymnesin - used to enhance the thought process. It is taken in courses of 5 granules twice a day.
• Nervoheel - used for neurotic syndrome, depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Appointed 1 tablet under the tongue, three times a day, between meals. The course of therapy - 2-3 months.

Physiotherapy treatment

In the rehabilitation of patients suffering from memory lapses, physiotherapy is widely used, which helps to increase the functional capabilities of the body, accelerate adaptation, eliminate the symptoms of the underlying pathology. Magnetotherapy procedures, electrical stimulation, electro and phonophoresis of medications are most often prescribed.

• Magnetotherapy is used if amnesia is associated with hypertension, diabetic polyneuropathy, cerebral vascular atherosclerosis, depression, sleep disorders, parkinsonism, encephalopathy.
• Electroneurostimulation allows you to restore the functionality of nerve tissue after damage. Exposure to pulsed currents of different frequency and strength is prescribed.
• Ultrasound treatment, phonophoresis involves the use of ultrasound in the 800-3000 kHz range.
• Drug electrophoresis is a method of administering medications using galvanic current - a constant electric current of low strength and low voltage.

Additional methods of therapeutic effects can be manual therapy and massage, acupuncture, electroson, mud treatment, hydrotherapy, spa treatment.

Herbal treatment

The action of medicinal plants is underestimated by many people, believing that they are not able to cope with serious diseases. However, this is not entirely true: with proper use of phytotherapy is quite effective, is not accompanied by side effects, suitable for the elimination of even chronic disorders. The main condition is a competent selection of herbal remedies according to the existing disease. After all, some remedies strengthen the walls of blood vessels, others - improve cerebral microcirculation, others - directly support brain activity. Therefore, the choice of folk medicine remedies should be referred to an experienced specialist.

To optimize cerebral circulation, herbs containing bitters and essential oils are used. For example, rosemary, a plant rich in antioxidants and acids, is ideal for this purpose. Rosemary increases the endurance of the brain, improves memory processes. Marjoram and sage also improve the functionality of neurons.

Lavender is a good remedy for Alzheimer's disease. This plant is used in the form of infusions, baths and aromatic oils. Even Hippocrates in his time stated that lavender can "warm the brain, which is tired over the years. Avicenna also mentioned the healing properties of lavender: "This natural medicine stimulates the heart and cleanses the brain". To date, the plant successfully helps to get rid of headaches, dizziness, sleep disorders, neuroses, hysteria, etc. It is also used for sclerosis, cramps, paralysis, as well as to accelerate the recovery of patients after a stroke.

To prepare lavender tea take 1 tsp. Flowers, pour 200 ml of very hot water, kept under a lid for 5-6 minutes, filtered. Take 500-600 ml per day, divided into three receptions.

To enhance the effect, prepare a lavender bath: 50 g of flowers pour 1 liter of boiling water, insist until cool and pour into a bath of water. Take a bath at night, for 20 minutes, then wipe off and go straight to bed.

With stress-related lapses in memory, metabolic disorders use Buquitsa: 1 tbsp. Dry raw material poured 250 ml of boiling water, insist and take 4 times a day, ¼ cup.

If memory lapses are associated with seizure syndrome, baths with lemon zest and chrysanthemum are recommended. Half a cup of flower petals and ground lemon zest poured boiling water, kept until cool and added to the bath. The procedures are carried out every other day, 10 minutes each.

To restore the elasticity of blood vessels and restore cerebral circulation will help dried wormwood powder, which is added by a pinch in tea, several times a day.

Stimulates brain function melissa tea, but it is not recommended to drink it if you tend to low blood pressure. To prepare tea, 1 tbsp. Raw material is poured a glass of boiling water, insist for 10 minutes. You can use with honey.

With signs of mental and physical fatigue, with overexcitation of the CNS take hawthorn infusion: 2 tbsp. L. Flowers of the plant poured 500 ml of boiling water, insist for 20 minutes, filtered and drink 100 ml half an hour before meals.

In depression, cardiovascular disease is useful to take a tincture of barberry: the plant contains alkaloid berberine, which has a therapeutic effect in senile amnesia. Prepare a tincture of vodka, in a ratio of 1:5. Take for a month 15 drops three times a day.

The root of elecampane is also considered an excellent stimulant. To prepare a tincture 1 tbsp. Of crushed rhizome poured 500 ml of vodka, insist in a dark place for 4 weeks. Take 1 tsp. Three times a day for half an hour before meals.

In addition to plants, it is recommended to pay attention to bee products, which also improve memory and generally stimulate brain activity.

Complications and consequences

Memory lapses in themselves complicate a person's life. However, against the background of various diseases, complications can also develop - in the form of social problems, increased traumatization, depressive and anxiety disorders, spatial disorientation.

With significant and frequent "erasure" of information, the quality of life inevitably suffers, many professional and everyday skills fade, and the ability to comprehend new things is lost. For some patients, forgetfulness becomes life-threatening - suicidal thoughts appear, although experts attribute them more to concomitant depression, typical of many causative and background diseases (in particular, Alzheimer's disease or multiple sclerosis).

The loss of professional and domestic skills is manifested in incorrect use of machines and tools, devices and mechanisms, as well as in various inadequate actions. All this results in increased traumatization, including for people around them.

Depression is a specific condition that can be both the cause of memory lapses and their consequences, which must be taken into account in the diagnosis. Depression develops in patients due to the realization of their own helplessness, failure, lack of motivation and lack of faith in the success of treatment.

Anxiety disorders, as a complication of other disorders, manifest themselves in excessive worry about their own health, about the family, which is often combined with the appearance of depression.

Spatial disorientation, as a rule, accompanies fixation lapses in memory associated with remembering current events. The disorder in itself is dangerous: a person has difficulty locating himself, gets lost even in his native area, does not recognize relatives.

Prevention

Leading a healthy lifestyle is crucial in terms of preventing memory lapses. This can also include proper nutrition, balance of work and rest regimes, avoidance of nicotine and alcohol consumption.

Here's a list of foods that improve brain activity:

• seeds, nuts;
• fermented milk products;
• cocoa, dark chocolate;
• seafood, kelp;
• broccoli;
• greens.

It is important to seek medical help in a timely manner if necessary, undergo medical examination and preventive diagnostics.

To optimize thought and memory processes, it is recommended to perform specific workouts - such as these:

1. They form a plan of the area or room in their mind, number the main objects and memorize them. Then associate certain things or objects nearby with each numbered object: this helps to develop associative thinking.
2. Coming up with a series of words in a particular sequence linked associatively, then memorizing the series and reproducing it.
3. Memorize the first letters of a whole series of words, and then reproduce the whole series in order, focusing on the memorized first letters.
4. Choose several unrelated words. Make up a story or a story involving the selected words.
5. An arbitrary series of words is divided into groups - for example, dandelion and rowan are plants, screwdriver and hammer are tools, etc.
6. Memorize words by their preliminary emotional coloring, for example: sad stool, joyful ball, etc.

To avoid violations, doctors do not recommend idle time: it is useful to draw, sing, engage in any active activity.

In case of light failures, you should record particularly significant events in writing: it is useful to start a special diary, writing in it everything necessary.

Communication with friends and relatives has a good preventive effect. You can discuss with them some moments of life, as well as a movie or a book you've read.

Of course, you need to be outdoors more: be physically active and at least take a daily walk.

It is important to remember that the probability of developing memory lapses is increased by restricted communication, isolation, reclusive lifestyle, lack of physical and mental activity.

Forecast

There is no unambiguous prognosis for memory lapses, since this disorder can be provoked by completely different factors. The elimination of the problem should be complex, depending on the cause, on the phase of the pathological process, on the individual characteristics of the patient (age, general health, additional symptoms). Often it is necessary to consult not only a family doctor, but also a neurologist, psychiatrist, therapist, endocrinologist, psychologist. If Alzheimer's disease is detected, the doctor develops a special treatment scheme, including exercises for cognitive brain stimulation, physical therapy. Complex pathologies require mandatory medication management.

Preventive measures should not be ignored, even if memory lapses are already present. Simple measures will slow down the progression of the disorder. It is optimal to combine drug therapy with proper nutrition, physical activity, participation in social life, as well as cognitive stimulation. All this allows to improve the prognosis and adjust the quality of daily life of the patient.