How Can I Improve My Memory And Focus
Remember that practice makes perfect! So here are some tips to help you improve your focus and memory:
- Pay attention
- Use as many senses as possible
- Structure information
MentalUP has more than 150 games to educate your children in an entertaining way. Attention games, such as Dwarf Giant, Track the Ball, and Spot the Difference help develop attention skills in children.
Common Causes Of Brain Fog
The causes of brain fog can be as diverse as the symptoms. But luckily, many of the causes of brain fog can be reduced with lifestyle changes, medication, or professional counseling.
Some of the most common causes of brain fog include:
Scientists have also discovered a few connections between mental illness and brain fog.
Alzheimer’s Disease Causes Stages And Symptoms
Alzheimer’s disease is a common cause of dementia. Symptoms and warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease include memory loss, difficulty performing familiar tasks, disorientation to time and place, misplacing things, and more. The biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is increased age. Treatment for Alzheimer’s is often targeted toward decreasing the symptoms and progression of the disease.
Also Check: Why Do Brain Freezes Hurt
What Is Brain Fog
Brain fog isnt a specific medical condition. Instead, brain fog is an extremely common term used to describe changes that have occurred in the brain function over a period of time, Dr. Christopher Calapai explained. A decrease in focus, concentration, memory, alertness, and word retrieval are all part of the description of brain fog. Basically, brain fog happens when your brain doesnt serve you as well as it can.
Also known as mental fatigue, brain fog is a symptom of cognitive dysfunction. The type of cognitive decline caused by brain fog can vary from person to person, but typically, brain fog causes one or more of the following challenges:
- Memory problems
- Emotional detachment or an inability to connect with others emotionally
More often than not, these challenges can interfere with your daily life.
Despite what you may think, there isnt a connection between brain fog and age. Teens, adolescents, and young adults can experience brain fog while healthy elderly adults can have strong cognitive ability and sharp thinking. When your brain is healthy, you can age with your cognitive functionality intact. Even though the brain does age, well-nourished brains can avoid most signs of cognitive decline. Malnourished brains, on the other hand, experience mental fatigue.
Stress Anxiety And Depression
Significant stress or anxiety can lead to problems with attention and memory, cautions Lyketsos. This is particularly common among people who may be juggling home and work responsibilities and are not sleeping well. Usually, easing stress can improve memory, Lyketsos says.
Untreated chronic stress can lead to depression, which could also affect brain function, according to research published in the Journal of Pharmacy & BioAllied Sciences. A mood disorder may improve with medication and counseling, notes the National Institute on Aging.
Don’t Miss: Alcohol Destroys Brain Cells
Is It Alzheimer’s Or Another Kind Of Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and causes significant memory loss, in addition to multiple other symptoms. If you think your memory loss could be caused by Alzheimer’s, review the symptoms and make an appointment with your physician for an assessment. Although Alzheimer’s typically affects those over the age of 65, early-onset Alzheimer’s can occur in those as young as 40.
Memory loss can also be caused by other kinds of dementia, such as vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and several others. Problems with memory should be discussed with your doctor so that any reversible cause can be found and treated, or so that treatment for Alzheimer’s or dementia can begin as soon as possible if this is the cause.
Its Not Necessarily Alzheimers
More than 50 conditions can cause or mimic the symptoms of dementia, and a small percentage of dementias are reversible. Two common examples are dementia caused by vitamin B12 deficiency or an underactive thyroid . Getting the right diagnosis is important so that you know what options you have, because symptoms subside when the underlying problem is treated.
Read Also: Slow Brain Bleed In Elderly
Memory Problems Poor Concentration And Slow Thinking
- Medical Author: Carol DerSarkissian, MD
Last Editorial Review: 6/15/2020
Your symptoms match a variety of issues with the brain, from depression to dementia. You should seek help from a neurologist or mental health professional to get to the bottom of what’s causing your symptoms. There are different types of treatments, and your doctor will help you figure out what is best for you. If you have any thoughts of hurting yourself or others, seek medical care immediately.
While the list below can be considered as a guide to educate yourself about these conditions, this is not a substitute for a diagnosis from a health care provider. There are many other medical conditions that also can be associated with your symptoms and signs. Here are a number of those from MedicineNet:
The Trouble Of Remembering
Memory is the basis for learning and quality life. Individuals use memory to create information about their assets and events. Obtaining any information and keeping it in long-term memory also requires a sharp concentration and focusing skill.The lack of concentration in children can especially be a major obstacle to learning. In adulthood, it is important to find out what causes a lack of concentration to maintain the quality of one’s life.
Don’t Miss: How Much Storage Is In The Brain
What Is Brain Fog And How Does It Relate To Mental Illness
Experiencing brain fog can make you feel like youre lost in a maze. You might feel confused, alone, frustrated, disoriented, bewildered, unclear, and adrift. Brain fog can also affect your emotional well-being. Being unable to think clearly may make you feel powerless, irritable, and downcast. Constantly feeling this way can put a damper on your mental health. Having a mental illness can trigger brain fog, as can other conditions. Understanding brain fog, its causes, and how it relates to mental illness can help you better understand the relationship between brain health, mental capacity, and emotional well-being.
Panic Attacks And Memory Loss
Some people who have panic attacks find it difficult to recall what happened just before or during an attack. Panic-related memory loss can happen for some of the same reasons that general anxiety leads to memory loss.
Panic attacks brief episodes of extreme fear are a type of anxiety. They come on quickly, often without warning, triggering symptoms that can feel overwhelming and terrifying:
- difficulty breathing or feelings of choking
- pounding or racing heart
- numbness, tingling, or blurred vision
- feeling of doom
- feeling of losing control
Some people having a panic attack might believe theyre dying or having a heart attack. You might feel totally preoccupied by these unpleasant feelings, lose track of time, and think about nothing except getting through the attack.
Afterward, you might recall the intense panic vividly, but you might not recall exactly how you made it through.
If youve had a panic attack before, you might also worry about having one again, especially when you find yourself in a situation that triggers feelings of worry or fear. When this increase in anxiety occupies your focus, you might also notice some memory trouble.
Memory loss can happen for plenty of reasons.
A few of the other potential causes include:
- regular alcohol or substance use
- side effects of certain prescription medications
Even when you live with anxiety, other concerns can contribute to memory loss, so its important to monitor your difficulty remembering things.
You May Like: Hemosiderin Deposition In The Brain
How Can I Improve My Concentration
Making lifestyle modifications is generally the first recourse for difficulty concentrating during menopause. Eliminate potentially damaging stimulants such as caffeine and nicotine, and begin to improve your diet by consuming more omega-3 fatty acids. Playing memory games, learning a new language, and reading have also shown helpful.
Further aid can be found in the form of alternative medicines and, as a last resort, pharmaceutical medications. Click on the following link for more information about natural and effective treatments for difficulty concentrating.
Problems Focusing At Work
Even if you love your job, you may sometimes have the question ‘why am I having a hard time focusing’. If you still continue to experience this problem even if you have removed all kinds of factors from your life that may cause you to have trouble concentrating or having difficulty focusing, you need to be careful, because the loss of concentration can directly affect your business performance.
You May Like: Mdma And Dopamine
Why Am I Having Trouble Focusing When Reading
Reading can be an effective way to relax and relieve stress, but sometimes you may find yourself re-reading the same sentence over and over, or turning pages without remembering what you read. This may occur due to factors such as stress, ADHD, or fatigue. If you have trouble focusing when reading, meet with your healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
Imbalances in certain hormonesâincluding testosterone, estrogen, and thyroid hormonesâcan contribute to trouble focusing. Check in on these hormones from the comfort of home with the at-home Testosterone Test, the Womenâs Health Test , or the at-home Thyroid Test .
References
1.Alhola P, Polo-Kantola P. Sleep deprivation: Impact on cognitive performance. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2007 3:553-567.
2.Sherwin BB. Estrogen and cognitive functioning in women: lessons we have learned. Behav Neurosci. 2012 126:123-127. doi:10.1037/a0025539
3.Henderson VW. Progesterone and human cognition. Climacteric. 2018 21:333-340. doi:10.1080/13697137.2018.1476484
5.What is ADHD?. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. URL. Accessed January 10, 2020.
6.Generalized Anxiety Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health. URL. Accessed January 10, 2020.
7.Anxiety Disorders. National Institute of Mental Health. URL. Accessed January 10, 2020.
Dr Emma Hall Consultant In Palliative Medicine St Christophers
Emma was appointed as a consultant in palliative medicine at St Christophers in 2003. Her current clinical practice is based in the community team. Emma is an experienced educational and clinical supervisor and is currently the medical lead for education at St Christophers. Her special interests are diabetes at the end of life, medicines management and working with care homes and GPs.
Recommended Reading: Is The Basal Ganglia Part Of The Limbic System
What Causes Cognitive Problems
Cognitive problems in MS are the result of nerve damage in the brain interrupting the transmission of electrical messages, reducing the speed and accuracy of the information. It can be helpful to think of the nervous system as a telephone exchange – if the insulation on some of the wires is damaged and other wires are broken, this results in some wrong numbers and some calls not getting through at all.
Cognitive problems can be made worse by:
Emotional Causes Of Memory Loss
Because our mind and body are connected and affect each other, our emotions and thoughts can impact our brain. The energy it takes to cope with certain feelings or life stress can get in the way of storing or remembering details and schedules.
Often, these emotional triggers of memory loss can be improved by support, counseling, and lifestyle changes. Even just being aware ofand limiting exposure tothings that increase stress can help.
Don’t Miss: Can Brain Freeze Cause Seizure
Healthy Brains Equal Healthy Lives
Here at StoneRidge Centers, we believe that healthy brains help us live thriving, healthy lives. Our comprehensive treatment plans can help restore your brain to health. Let us help you get there. Contact us today if youre ready to overcome brain fog and live a healthy, happy, thriving, and purpose-filled life.
Categories
Contact Us
Lifestyle Causes Of Normal Memory Loss
If your less-than-stellar memory is annoying to you but falls within the normal range, now is the perfect time to examine how your lifestyle is affecting your brain.
Often, a bad memory is merely a side effect of a hectic or unhealthy lifestyle.
A diet high in sugar and unhealthy trans fats can put you in a brain fog and leave you feeling anxious or depressed as well.
When your diet is poor, the brain doesnt get the nutrients it needs to create healthy brain cells and form the brain chemicals that control memory.
Being stressed out makes you more emotional and less able to recall facts.
Even moderate sleep loss can affect your mental performance as much as being legally drunk.
It should come as no surprise that the abuse of recreational drugs and alcohol leads to memory loss.
But even dehydration can temporarily impact mental performance.
Nutritional deficiencies are quite common and can also be responsible for memory loss and other cognitive problems.
Thus, you can improve your memory by getting enough quality sleep, eating a brain-healthy diet, and taking active measures to reduce stress.
Recommended Reading: How To Shrink A Brain Tumor Naturally
Brain Fog Vs Dementia
We all forget things. Even in our twenties we might lose our keys or forget the name of someone we just met. And as we age, these moments of forgetfulness happen more often.
For women in their late forties and early fifties, the onset of menopause can bring even more brain fog and memory lapses for many women.
But the big question is: when should you worry that something is wrong? Is it just menopause, or might it be early warning signs of Alzheimers disease or dementia?
Its important to remember that there are lots of causes for brain fog, says Lynne Shinto, N.D., M.P.H., a naturopath with expertise in neurology and womens health at the OHSU Center for Womens Health.
Most of them are far less scary than Alzheimers disease. Here are a few of the most common causes:
- Hormone changes during the transition to menopause
- Other hormone changes
- Depression
- Lack of sleep
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
Many of these causes come in pairs, or even trios. Stress can lead to lack of sleep or depression. The transition to menopause can lead to hot flashes that impact sleep, or to depression. Depression can lead to stress.
Poor thinking ability and memory problems are a very common symptom of depression.
For many people, treating their depression clears up symptoms of brain fog and cloudy thinking. For this reason, everyone with these symptoms, even people in their seventies and beyond, should be screened for depression.
Brain fog and dementia are different
Healthy brain aging
What Causes Memory Problems In Children
Noticing a memory problem in your child or teen can be incredibly unnerving. You may wonder if their memory lapses are normal for their developmental stage or if a glitch in their memory signals a more serious problem.
Rather than worrying about the possibilities, connect with our team at THINK Neurology for Kids. We specialize in determining the cause of memory problems. Then we can work with you and your child to overcome the challenges and restore their memory.
Read on to learn about the most common causes of memory problems in children.
Recommended Reading: Does Simvastatin Cause Memory Loss
Depression Memory Loss And Concentration
Are you feeling forgetful and having trouble focusing? These symptoms of depression can affect your ability to get things done. Find out how to improve your memory and concentration.
Memory loss and an inability to focus may not seem like obvious symptoms of depression but they are more connected than most people realize.
Research has suggested that processing speed the ability to take in information quickly and efficiently is impaired in individuals who are depressed,” explains Natascha Santos, PsyD, a psychologist and behavior therapist in Great Neck, N.Y. Many areas of the brain are involved with the creation and retrieval of memories. Irregularities in any of these areas, including those that create depression symptoms, can affect how you process memories and also influence your ability to concentrate.
Depression and Concentration: The Far-Reaching Effects
At first, depression-based memory loss and difficulty focusing may just be mildly annoying, but these types of cognitive defects can become quite serious over time and result in a diminished level of functioning in many capacities:
Overcoming Depression Memory Loss
Depression and Concentration: Helpful Tips and Tricks
As you look to strategies to resolve depression memory loss, these tips can ease the impact of poor memory and concentration on your day-to-day life:
Geraldine Struggles To Remember Appointments And Details Of What Shes Read At Work At Home She
I do have moments as well when Im scatty. I dont know if thats a combination of it but I go a bit scatty. I forget what Im saying or forget what Im doing and yes, so those are my moments. Yeah and its exactly the same as what my mum went through.Its strange, I dont know if its just us, but for instance, youve come to the checkout, youve bought your shopping, the totals fifteen pounds. I might say ten and I look and I can see fifteen there or I say numbers backwards. I just laugh, customers know me. Im always laughing and I think thats just to hide the embarrassment really because Im thinking, What am I doing?
Recommended Reading: How Much Storage Does The Human Brain Have