Memory Fitness

Alzheimer’s disease is incurable, but there are many stages, warning signs, and risk factors that can serve as detection devices for those who have older adults in their lives. One of the most common early signs of this form of dementia is memory loss. While it is normal for people to occasionally forget things, such as appointments and names, people with Alzheimer’s tend to forget these things more often and are not able to recall them even after a period of time. Other signs that signify a possible case of Alzheimer’s is difficulty performing familiar tasks (cooking, brushing teeth), problems with language (using odd words, failing to remember correct words), disorientation (forgetting where one lives, not knowing how he got to a certain place), problems with abstract thinking (forgetting what numbers represent), misplacing items (putting a hair brush in the freezer), moodiness, personality changes (confusion, suspicion, fearfulness), and loss of initiative

Certain qualities are consistently observed in the Alzheimer’s victim. These dysfunction’s, though, are not exclusive to Alzheimer’s disease. Consequently, declaring Alzheimer’s by these parameters is a matter of degree rather than an absolute. Characteristic dysfunction’s have been noted in Alzheimer’s victims, but the degree and severity of these varies from patient to patient. Thus, evaluation of the patient’s mental status must be made based on the sum, rather than a single characteristic. Memory is one of the first noticed deficiencies, beginning typically with the recent and short term memory, and progressing from there as the disease grows more severe. In addition, deterioration in language skills, attention span, praxis (performance of an action), and visuospatial skills are commonly seen. Also observed are changes in the actions and personality of the Alzheimer’s victim. These include changes in mood, motor activities, activities of daily living, socialization skills, psychotic disturbances, vegetative symptomology, and rise in anxiety levels. Again, the

The secret lies in being able to gain control over your thoughts. Mindfulness has been shown to lower anxiety and stress as well as the fatigue that it causes. Over time, it has also been shown to improve memory (which is often negatively affected by anxiety) and improve reaction times.

Sufferers can forget conversations and instructions, and need to be reminded on a regular basis, and given ‘prompts’ to remind them the topic of conversation, or what they are supposed be doing next for example.

155). There are many types of tests and approaches to cognitive assessments depending on the age of the person and symptoms currently experienced (Cordell et al. 147). These assessments are combined to ensure that there is a clear reason for concern, however, in the film, simply memory testing is done. During sessions with a neurologist, it is important if an informant, someone who has witnessed the change in cognition, is present during the diagnostic process (Cordell et al. 147). After informing Alice of this, she, alongside her husband, is tested through the repetition of sentences and ability to memorize a name and address. Alice’s neurologist merely tests her memory, while excluding other important examinable areas. If the cognitive assessments cause further concerns, a full dementia evaluation is conducted (Cordell et al. 147).

One myth is if you snap a rubber band around your wrist the thought will eventually go away. Even though that used to be a popular method, it actually makes your thought get even stronger. Another myth is that you can pass out or lose control if a panic attack gets too bad. An additional myth is that if you have anxiety you should always carry a paper bag with you so that if you start to hyperventilate you can use it. A paper bag, in this situation, is a crutch that will only make you more anxious, and hyperventilation is uncomfortable, but not dangerous. Likewise, another would be if you try to live a healthy lifestyle, by eating right, exercising, and avoiding caffeine, it will make your anxiety go away. While some of your anxiety may go away, it won’t cure it, you will need other help than just reducing stress to get rid of anxiety. And a final myth, medication is the only treatment for anxiety, but while medication does help, cognitive-behavioral therapy can work just as well or better than

A wise person once said, "Worrying is like walking around with an umbrella waiting for it to rain. " People may say that you can simply take the umbrella away, others may just convince you to change your mind and just trust there will be no rain. Someone with anxiety cannot simply remove these thoughts quite so easily. Like telling someone to just brush the worry off or just forget about the anxiety, convincing someone that it will not rain is nearly impossible. The anxiety within a person controls their life and the decisions they make.

The assessment evaluates recall, time orientation, clock drawing, and information/recent news. An informant interview may supplement the screening tool if more information is required to identify any signs of impairment. The interview allows an individual’s caretaker or loved one to answer questions regarding changes that have occurred with the individual of concern between the time of the interview and 5 to 10 years ago (Health Care Professionals and Alzheimer's,

Worrying it can have cause impairment to your cognitive system due to stress. Worrying is defined as fear of loss or failure of meeting expectations one may have in regards of a situation. Worrying is often initiated in stressful events, and it’s often correlated with high anxiety during the event. There are two effects that are associated with worrying such as it causes interferences with the processing of the temporary storage of the working memory (Eysenck et al, 2007). The increase concern causes restriction in attention that is associated with the working memory, which than can cause a hindrance in processing the task. There are also some effects in the central executive that is effected by worrying. Worrying thoughts increase impairment

The Ginkgo is well known for improving cognitive function and overall health. There have been many studies done on the beneficial effects that Ginkgo biloba has on the mind. The Ginkgo biloba has been recognized as a treatment for memory, but it hasn’t been widely accepted as a treatment. In the United States, we need to raise additional funding for Ginkgo biloba as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, as these are conditions that increasingly impact a large segment of the population and their extended families.

for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at UC Irvine, California. They conducted a study where a

Overtime, individuals develop their own unique way of reducing anxiety. These individuals may use positive strategies such as, exercising, reading, and dancing, or negative strategies such as, crying, yelling, and smoking.

"Generalized anxeity disorder is characterized by persistent, excessive, and unrealistic worry about everyday things." (GAD) When my mind races with all the stressful worries of the day and keeps replaying in my head, I get anxiety. I don’t know what to do with myself in that moment. I get irritable with my loved ones and sleep a lot more than normal. As soon as I can reach out to someone or sleep on it; my mind starts to settle. Other treatments I have discovered are meditation or a swift walk. By spending time with myself in this way, it grounds me and clears a lot of the negative energy around me and I am able to come back to the situation with more peace surrounding

Central idea: Memory is a process of the brain which is prone to certain failures, although specific steps can be taken to guard against these failures.

Write a brief summary of the Lee et al. article. What were the main concepts? What evidence did they provide? How does this perspective fit with the models of memory from the chapter?