The Mind

[Chris Parks]

Ok, I am getting on a bit (61) and lately I have found that I am forgetting things and don't quite pick up on stuff as quickly as I used to. I have discussed this with a friend of similar age and it appears he is finding the same thing. Does anyone do mental exercises for this and are you in the same boat? I know we all joke about this sort of stuff but it appears to be a real problem as you get older.

[Razor]

I'm some years older than you Mini and like you I was concerned about my forgetfulness, not a major issue but just little things. So I asked my GP to refer me to a specialist. I felt it was like any other physical part of me that needed attention. I wanted to know if there was something I should do (or not do), whether there was a treatment, whether I should be concerned.
The specialist felt sure of his diagnosis but suggested I have a scan of the brain which confirmed his diagnosis. I have a form of dementia that is associated with reduced blood flow in the brain due to my weak heart. He gave me some suggestions and said if I follow his advice on general health matters my condition should not worsen but I am to see him if it does and have a scan each year. My concern was of course that it might be a form of dementia like alzheimers that requires early attention.
I understand there are many forms of dementia (alzheimers is uncommon) so my advice is to do what you would do for any other part of you that is not up to standard - get the best advice you can.

[Wongdai]

I had a problem recently, where for six months I could not form any new memories. Each morning I couldn't tell you what I did the night before, or even what I had for dinner. On leaving work at the end of the day, I wouldn't know where my car was.

I went through the normal round of blood tests, brain scans, etc etc. No issues found.

Turns out that it was my cholesterol pills. After only two weeks of not taking my cholesterol pills I woke up one morning and said "I know what I had for dinner!". Since laying off the pills my memory has constantly improved, and now it is back where it was. Unfortunately my cholesterol is now quite high (10+)

Interestingly, this issue is not listed as a known side effect of statins, as the known incident rate is quite low. The truth is (my opinion only) that a lot of older people who get this issue are incorrectly diagnosed as having dementia, to total transient amnesia, when the real cause is statins.

So, maybe worth laying off the pills for a month or so if you take them.

[jerryc]

I found Razor's comments about the relationship of a weak heart to the brain quite interesting. I am the same age and have a very weak heart. The ejection fraction is a measure of the heart efficiency in pumping blood around the body. A normal person has an ejection fraction of 55-75%. My cardiologist reckons mine bears out his theories. He said he had patients who are bed ridden on 20% whereas mine is only 5-10% that is the heart is barely moving the blood. He believes that the link between the fitness of the body and the heart is more important than people realise and so I attend cardiac rehab twice a week. Yes I do have bouts of dizziness and sometimes blurred vision because my blood pressure suddenly drops. The lowest has been 57 over 38. When it happens my wife, who is a cardiac nurse, orders me to lie down flat. She rightly says that prolonged lack of blood to the brain can affect the neurons. However my mind remains sharp because as the cardiologist said "use it or lose it." applies equally to the mind as it does to the body.
In general we all get a little less efficient as we age and the brain is no exception. However if we have an interest in life and keep our brains active then the occasional senior moment will be fleeting and not worth worrying about. When they rebuilt my heart one cardiologist told me I must not expect to achieve more than 25% of what I could do before. My heart has now failed on both sides but I can last half a day of sustained work in the garden or workshop. I was told my heart was such that it will never improve and will only get worse but my cardiologist says 'just go for it"

I am not saying that no one prone to memory failure. For those who suffer I am very sorry. However keeping a positive attitude and using the brain to tackle new ideas is important.

Jerry

[wheelinround]

I find the same thing even to the point of not taking in what LOML says and asking her to repeat it 5 mins later.

I started to think back to when a kid being sent to the shops for bread, milk, cig's what ever and coming home with a bag full of lollies:doh: yep you know what happened next.:C

Chris I hope its nothing at all just pure selective forgetfullness having heaps on your mind or a wandering mind.

[jerryc]

Y'er know what Ray, I am forgetful. I forgot selective memory loss. Now that is more widespread than most people think.

Jerry

[wheelinround]

Y'er know what Ray, I am forgetful. I forgot selective memory loss. Now that is more widespread than most people think.

Jerry

:?

After seeing first hand what my FIL went through in his last few months I'd hate to go through the same. A few years ago FIL's mate had to be put into a home due to Dementia so we took him to see the poor guy early on.

The fellow knew us spoke to us (LOML and me) openly even recalled he owed FIL $$ then turned to FIL held out his hand and introduced himself. FIL :C he handed the fellow a bag of fruit the fellow said to us funny that your FIL used to bring me fruit to home often. With that he got up and walked away a few minutes later came back sat down and said sorry you both been waiting long. :oo:

[Tex B]

In the 'ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure' category, from what I've heard you should exercise both body and mind. Reasonable aerobic exercise regularly for the body. For the mind, sudoku, crosswords, bridge, logic puzzles, math problems, lots of social engagements, whatever you enjoy that keeps you challenged. The research I've read suggests that mental and physical exercise are both important.

Or maybe you could design woodworking projects in your head?

Tex

[Foo]

Hi Wongdai,
Have you mentioned this to your doctor??If your cholesterol levels are rising then you're getting closer to a heart attack,or stroke!!:no:

[Wongdai]

That's true mate. I will be off to see a cardiologist at some stage. One can't live forever though!

[Foo]

That's true mate. I will be off to see a cardiologist at some stage. One can't live forever though!
That's true!But you don't wanna be dropping dead,while you can still enjoy life,with family and friends.:)