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Memory insufficiency causes and therapy
contents
memory
How does human memory work??
Different memory types
Disorders of memory
Parkinson's disease
Alzheimer's disease
memory training
memory
This refers to the ability to keep various information such as images, words, events, stories ..., to organize and retrieve them when needed. Even primitive life forms have a memory, but the memory performance increases with the development of the respective living beings and gains in complexity.
How does human memory work??
For a long time, people started from so-called memory drawers, ie the respective information is stored in a certain place in the brain or else engraved. This idea has proved to be untenable in brain research, so that today it is assumed that information is not stored only in one place, but on several and that the memory on the complex interaction of different brain regions and cells works.
Our memory can be trained. Image: pathdoc - fotolia How much we rely on a functioning memory, we always remember only when it is missing or impaired. "When did I have a good memory, when was a bad one, when was it perforated?" These questions will also tell the layman that a functioning memory always depends on the respective situation. In case of stress, the memory performance can be inhibited or blocked, after a hard day at work one of the canceled name does not occur even after an intensive search. After a restful sleep, he is suddenly back, although or just because we are no longer looking for him. Such phenomena can often be found in everyday life, they are also called the seven sins of memory:
- volatility
- inattention
- Blockage: tongue phenomenon, mnestic blockade syndrome; The name of the actor who does not want to think of a partout ...
- An incorrect assignment: confusing time, place or person
- suggestibility
- The dependence of the memory of knowledge and (beliefs) views
- The inability to forget
These characterizations of the everyday phenomena described make it clear that memories are not just stored, as would be the case with a computer. Rather, essential functions of memory in humans are associated with emotions. In many cases, memories can not be recalled as they were stored; emotions, as well as additional knowledge gained, changes and links the location of the call in the brain. Emotionality and the ability to associate memories with existing and newly acquired knowledge make up the complexity of the functioning of human memory. This distinguishes the human brain both from the animal brain, as well as the functioning of a computer.
Different memory types
The ultra-short-term memory plays a minor role in everyday life, since it takes place in the range of milliseconds. The short-term memory works in the minute range. This is essentially about the short-term and quick memory, it is also referred to as working memory. Everything that goes beyond the minute range is stored in the long-term memory.
It is assumed that the memory is structured hierarchically in an uplifting manner: The episodic-autobiographical memory is essentially composed of the memories and events made. These are arranged according to time and place, so that imaginary time travel into the past is possible, events in the past can thus be reflected. The episodic-autobiographical memory is most susceptible to disturbances (brain damage, psychological trauma ...).
Essentially, facts are stored in the knowledge system; in procedural memory essentially motor skills are stored. Both priming and procedural memory work without conscious reflection.
Disorders of memory
Both the nature of the disorder of the memory and the cause of the respective disorders are very diverse and different. Thus, memory impairment and memory disturbances caused by stress, they can organic or mental Have causes, age-related, due to Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, or due to excessive consumption of drugs and alcohol to be triggered.
Parkinson's disease
The causes Parkinson's disease could not be resolved so far, suspected to be cause: genetic makeup, environment, inflammation, poisoning, medication The disease usually arises between the 50th and 60th decade of life.
symptoms
The first signs are motor impairments: muscular rigidity, muscle tremors and a lack of exercise. In addition, there is an increasingly increased attention deficit syndrome and deficits in procedural memory and thus a limitation of motor ability. The loss of motor flexibility occurs in the early stages of the disease in the form of falls, the cause of which should be clarified by a doctor.
therapy
In conventional medicine in memory deficiency is increasingly put on the drug treatment with significant side effects. In the naturopathic area is set to a nutritional therapy to counteract the difficult food intake due to the motor disorders: whole foods, adequate fiber intake.
Tips for patients
Lightweight string massage, breathing exercises can relax the tense muscles and crampy breathing. Also gymnastic exercises both alone and in physiotherapeutic accompaniment counteract the cramping and tension. In addition, generally curing measures such as dry brushes, alternating showers, whole washes can be applied, here it is important to dispense the measures discreetly increasing. Parkinson's disease patients are advised to spend as much time outdoors as possible.
Alzheimer's disease
Strictly speaking, Alzheimer's disease can only be referred to when the memory disorders go beyond the age-related / conditional forgetfulness. The loss of mental abilities is organic, in the narrower sense, Alzheimer's disease can actually only be diagnosed after death.
symptoms
The symptom picture is very complex and manifests itself in memory weakness, disturbances of perception and thought as well as delusions, a disorientation, a personality change and beyond in physical symptoms such as incontinence and immobility. The symptoms of Alzheimer's occur in the beginning in a barely noticeable weakening of brain performance (absent-mindedness, irritability, memory disorders), in the course of the intellectual capacity decreases sharply.
therapy
The conventional medical therapy is based on the ABCDEF scheme on:
- Antidementiva: drug whose effects are controversial; it is reported an improvement in social behavior and everyday activity.- Bewegung: occupational therapy, physiotherapy.
- CErebral Training with Memory, Perception, Reality Orientation Training (RED).
- Ddiet: varied, fiber and protein rich, low in fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids, sufficient fluid.
- eMotional affection: patience, understanding of the situation of the person concerned, caring, physical contact.
- FManagement and Relief: Introducing a structured daily program with permanent caregivers with the involvement of nursing and outpatient services, depending on the degree of severity, a placement in a nursing home should be considered.
The naturopathic treatment must be determined individually after a thorough medical history by the alternative practitioner. Prophylactic for Alzheimer's, garlic, artichokes and onions can be used. The intake of garlic serves to prevent age-related vascular diseases, it has a lipid-lowering effect. Artichoke is used to lower high blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels.
The ingestion of onions counteracts the age-related vascular change. In addition, it has been shown that Ginkgo promotes the circulation of the blood and thus improves brain performance. It protects the nerves from increased degradation. The plants mentioned are also available as ready-made medicines. In addition, there is new evidence on the effects of lemon balm and sage oil, both of which are thought to have a positive effect on the mind. Use in patients with dementia is currently being tested in trials.
Tips for patients and caregivers
Caregivers should seek help and support in counseling centers due to the increased demands and pressures. In addition, generally curing measures such as dry brushes, alternating showers, whole washes can be applied, here it is important to dispense the measures discreetly increasing. These measures counteract an increased susceptibility to infection, in addition, the affected maintain a connection to their own body.
stress
Due to stress, it can also lead to memory limitations. Stress is individual, what is a burden for some, it does not have to be for the other. Whether we feel the everyday demands on us as stress is subjective, individual and daily form dependent. It is in close interaction with the overall psychic constitution. Several studies have now shown that stress can have a toxic-damaging effect on the different areas of the brain. This can manifest itself in momentary blockages but also in a reduction of the general brain power. Due to fear of failure, a blockade can be triggered. The fear of failure caused such a stress, that the human is no longer able to get information z. B. to acquire in preparation for an exam. Therefore, he can no longer participate in the required tests, and thus escapes the performance stress.
amnesia
This can lead to amnesia due to both organic causes and stress (highly traumatic experiences). Prolonged, negative and stressful stress can lead to memory blockages and memory impairment. Previously stored information can no longer be retrieved, often the information of the autobiographical memory is affected by the blockage. There are indications of similarities between amnesia states with and without organic cause. Massive stress states z. As a result of traumatic experiences, change the energy metabolism of the neurons. This ultimately leads to changes in the components of our brain, which is important for the memory. In many cases, this also provides a protective mechanism so as not to be confronted with stressful situations.
Tips for reducing stress
- Exercise / sport
- meet friends
- Hobbies
- Build rest periods into everyday life
- Relaxation exercises, such as progressive muscle relaxation or yoga
How can everyday life be made more accessible to people with limited memory performance??
- Objects should always be stored and stored in the same places, a recovery is facilitated by appropriate labels and signs.
- Situations that overwhelm you should be avoided. For this purpose, the affected have to draw the limits for themselves and determine in which situations feel comfortable and in which not.
- Everyday life should be structured so that household work is carried out at fixed times of the day.
- The use of bulletin boards, diaries and notebooks helps to find information faster.
- Pocket calendars help to remember appointments.
memory training
Method of Places (Loci)
This method is named after the Greek philosopher Simonides, it is one of the oldest memory training techniques. When it comes to remembering different parts of a list, you can take a well-known place (kitchen) or way to work). The elements to be remembered are assigned to distinctive objects / buildings / facilities in the respectively selected location. The components of the list are now retrieved via the respective items.
images chains
It is often the case that coherent concepts have to be remembered, meaning that they form meaningful groups. Like z. For example, bakery ingredients or the ingredients for a particular dish may be on a shopping list. In order to remember the individual items of the shopping list, one can now imagine how to bake a cake from the baking ingredients. This makes it easier to remember terms. On the basis of invented stories or recipes, pictures are created on the terms, so they are easier to remember. Generally speaking, solving puzzles, playing strategy games, arguing for and against discussions, and the like improve and structure memory. It is important to pay attention to appropriate rest periods. (Nd)
swell
Literature:
- Bierbach, Elvira; Duke, Michael: Manual naturopathic practice. Methods and therapy concepts. Munich: Urban and Fischer 2005.
- Markowitsch, Hans-Joachim (20016351a2cc0b08c03is on the trail - Remembering and forgetting Darmstadt: WBG Verlag
Picture: Gerd Altmann