We've all been through it more or less...
What is memory loss? That is, a decrease in memory. So what is memory?
Memory refers to the process of each of us storing and using the content of our own thinking information (just like a person holding the key to open the door of the warehouse, moving the things inside out, moving the things outside in, always maintaining a relative balance), if the reserve is reduced (the information base data is reduced - the warehouse is empty), or the use of obstacles (the obstacle to extracting information data - the key is broken, the warehouse door can not be opened), can not complete this continuous process, resulting in memory loss, which can be manifested as a transient partial forgetting, It can also manifest as comprehensive permanent forgetting.
Is memory loss a disease?
Memory loss
Memory loss is a symptom that can occur in both physiological and pathological states, therefore, memory loss itself is not a disease, in each of our lives, whether it is physiological aging, or pathological causes, may have more or less experienced "memory loss".
Early symptoms of some diseases can be highlighted by memory loss, such as senile dementia; but conversely, memory loss does not necessarily mean that there is senile dementia, but may be a physiological transient memory loss, such as excessive fatigue or low mood when forgetting tomorrow's work schedule or making an appointment with others, but generally recovering quickly.
How does the brain direct learning and memory function?
Learning and memory functions are an inseparable set of functions that humans possess. Each of our brains, as the "headquarters" that directs all our organs, controls our activities and dominates our perception of the world around us.
The study found that the brain is composed of about 14 billion cells, mainly divided into two hemispheres, left and right, which is the highest part of the central nervous system, the organ of thinking and consciousness developed in the long-term evolution of human beings, and the center that directs our learning and memory functions. From birth, we are constantly processing, storing, and updating the information we collect through our sensory organs.
At present, it is believed that among the many brain structures, the cerebral cortex and hippocampus are most closely related to learning and memory, and the neurons distributed in these parts constitute complex neural circuit connections through complex neuroelectrophysiological activities, with the help of unique synaptic structures between cells, and retain external information as a stimulus in the brain for a certain period of time (short-term or long-term or even lifelong), thus constituting what we usually call "learning and memory" ability. And this ability is related to both genetic factors and acquired experiences.
Why are middle-aged and elderly people prone to memory loss?
After entering the middle and old age, the normal human body gradually appears degenerative changes, the brain arteries appear hardened, the synaptic function of neurons in the brain declines, the overall function of the brain declines, so it is easy to have memory loss, which can be manifested as forgetfulness, forgetting before and after, easy to forget about recent or just happenings, but what happened many years ago can often be remembered.
Studies have found that the body's optimal memory occurs around the age of twenty, after which the function of the brain gradually declines with age, especially after the age of forty; in addition, the continuous stress of work life and sudden life stress events (such as huge trauma and blows), bad living habits (excessive smoking, alcohol abuse) can also cause temporary memory loss.
Therefore, once you enter the middle-aged and elderly, due to the degradation of physiological brain function itself, if there are other triggers at the same time, such as cerebral arteriosclerosis caused by hypertension and bad living habits, it is easy to have symptoms of memory loss, if you do not pay attention to it, remove the trigger, let it develop, it may eventually turn into pathological memory loss, and even suffer from dementia.
Are forgetfulness and memory loss the same thing?
With the increase of age, after people reach old age, the brain and other organs of the human body will gradually age, resulting in memory loss, mainly manifested as recent memory loss, often manifested as remembering something, not remembering for a while, remembering it afterwards, or remembering after reminders and contacts, such as often forgetting where the items are placed, it is difficult to remember the guest's name, place of residence, telephone, can not remember where the goods are purchased, etc., and long-term memory and immediate memory are normal, intelligence is not affected, there is no social activity disorder, It will not affect life and work. They can not only take care of their own lives, but also take care of their families, although the memory decline, but the awareness and judgment of major events is basically not reduced, medically called "age-related memory loss", which is what we often call "forgetfulness", which is the physiological phenomenon of normal elderly brain aging, slow development.
Content source: People's Medical Publishing House published "Out of the Misunderstanding of Medical Treatment: Neurology"
Source: Human Health