Reduce memory in older people: things to know

Memory impairment (SGTN), the final consequence is dementia, which is less of a concern in developing countries. This comes from the view that old age must be forgotten, confused. This misconception has greatly influenced the quality of life of the elderly, because it will make patients with SGTN isolated.

To treat SGTN patients, dementia, in the US people have to spend $ 50 billion / year. According to some studies in the United States, the rate of dementia is 10% of people over 70 years old, 20% -40% of people over 85 years old.

Four types of memory

The process of capturing memory information over time can be divided into 4 categories: Intuitive memory, short-term memory, close memory and distant memory (long-term memory).

Intuitive memory lasts about 1-2 seconds by listening. Short-term memory can last about 30 seconds and is capable of remembering 5-10 topics. Near memory lasts a few minutes to a few weeks, to enter this memory information must undergo a consolidation process in a certain time. Long-term memory stores a few weeks to a certain time in life.

Six expressions of SGTN

- Forget things used so often.
- Forget how to use objects that have been used many times.
- Meeting many difficulties when receiving new information.
- Or repeat a sentence or a story in the same conversation.
- Difficulties in choosing and keeping money.
- Can not keep the routine.

Early detection of SGTN via the following signs:

- Have a complaint about memory.
- Memory has decreased compared to age.
- The daily life activities are normal.
- The general awareness function is normal.
- No dementia.

It should be noted that relatives play a very important role in helping to detect early signs of SGTN in patients. If there are signs of suspicion, relatives should quickly bring patients to specialized medical facilities for examination and treatment.

Treat SGTN by not taking drugs

The age-related hypertension is a natural process of aging, so it is not to the point of requiring drug treatment, but it is necessary to actively apply non-pharmacological treatments such as listing a list of tasks to be done, to establish Schedule for daily work, follow the work schedule set up, set out important items to pay attention to.

For example: Always put the key in a certain place, repeat the name of the person who just met, create pleasures to keep the elderly busy (playing ornamental plants, birds, stamps .), brain movement , keep archived information and events such as notebooks, photo albums .

When a patient has been diagnosed and diagnosed as a pathological SGTN (not an SGTN due to age), he can be treated with medicine.

Prevention of SGTN

Prevention of SGTN by regular mental activity, avoid drinking alcohol (excessive alcohol consumption increases triglyceride in the blood and increases the risk of brain tumors), exercise (which reduces blood pressure, lowers the frequency cardiovascular disease, help reduce body weight, reduce plasma fibrinogen .), eat properly (eat lots of fruits, fiber, vegetables, limit eating high fat and sweet, protein so Eat just as much as you need, eat less salt to significantly reduce your blood pressure and thus reduce the incidence of stroke.

MSc-BS PHAN HUU PHUOC (Dean of the Faculty of Elderly Nguyen Trai Hospital - Ho Chi Minh City)