Memory problems: Have you forgotten something?

Do you find yourself struggling to remember a certain name or experiencing a memory lapse at an inopportune moment?

Memory and concentration

asktheexpert
Sonia Chartier
@AVogel_ca


15 March 2017

Losing your keys, or forgetting why you’ve gone into a room? These things happen to us all, believe it or not, but they do tend to happen more as we get older – usually because we’re thinking about something else. ..

Among my peers it’s also fairly classic to come to a standstill in the middle of a sentence because one of us has suddenly forgotten the film or its star that was on the tip of our tongue a nano-second earlier.

Normal memory problems

If this happens to you, too, the good news is it’s not a sign of dementia, according to memory experts.

Instead, this kind of tip of the tongue syndrome is what’s known as an “attentional problem” (which means that the harder we try to remember the name of that film or celeb, the more elusive it becomes) and though it does tend to happen more frequently as we get older, it’s usually for the simple reason that we’re not really so interested in ‘’what’s-his-name-from-that-film-with-the-ditzy-blonde-and-the-car-chase”.

The quick fix

In this case, the best solution is to change the subject – always guaranteed to release that information, albeit sadly when you no longer need it.

Prevention

There are things we can all do to generally improve our memory. For example, the herbal remedy ginkgo biloba improves circulation, transporting blood and oxygen around the body to wherever it’s needed – including the brain.

And, whatever your age, you’re more likely to score well in a memory or brain function test if you lead a healthy life:

  • Exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes brisk walking five days a week)
  • Keep your weight in the safe zone (BMI 19-25).
  • Don’t smoke
  • Be health-savvy: avoid or treat hypertension, high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes – all of which can contribute to memory problems by interfering with circulation in the brain, which is the most blood thirsty part of the body.

Started in your 40’s, a healthy lifestyle like this will also reduce your risk of dementia in later life, according to research.

Need to know…

Of course one of the main blocks to us taking steps to avoid dementia is that most of us imagine it will never happen to us – even though it happens to one in 20 “other people” once they pass the age of 65. By the time it is happening to us, we will be unaware of it…

But this is such a major health problem worldwide that, according to Professor Sube Banerjee, professor of mental health and ageing at the Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College, London, so much is spent on treating those affected that, ‘if dementia was a business instead of an illness it would be the richest company in the world’.

It can happen to anyone!

There are an estimated 35.6 million people with dementia worldwide and by 2050 the number will rise to over 115 million, according to Alzheimer’s Disease International, making it something we really can’t afford to ignore – as I was reminded just last week. Ironically, the day after attending a dementia seminar, I turned up for a yoga class with an empty gym bag, and no kit…

My excuse was that I’d been too busy checking my smartphone and locating my keys while simultaneously packing – or not packing – my bag. But that didn’t make it any less disconcerting, and, as I struggled through sun salutations in my jeans and jumper, I could only reassure myself that at least my yoga practice would clear the clutter in my mind – so the day could only get better…!

A.Vogel Ginkgo
Ginkgoforce®

A.Vogel Ginkgoforce Fresh Ginkgo biloba extract

50mL

Ginkgo biloba is a powerful antioxidant. No toxic solvents have been used to extract all the active …
More info

Alfred Vogel's guide to leading a healthy and happy life

Nature is just about the best thing we’ve got!

Watch the video

10% OFF WHEN YOU SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER!

Become a member, discover our offers in preview, follow our news and enjoy a 10% discount on your 1st order!