What are the Different Memory Loss Treatments?

Most memory loss treatments often rely on mnemonic devices and mental exercises, rather than medication, to help a person improve memory. Exercises such as learning how to better focus on tasks at at hand, writing things down, and devising mental tricks to remember new information, are all ways of improving memory. Such techniques are often called brain training. Stress reduction, a better diet, and a good night's sleep can also be effective memory loss treatments. For those who have regressive dementia, there are medications to help slow the progression and curb the severity of memory loss.

Most people experience memory loss at some time or other as a result of feeling too stressed. Stress naturally causes mental anxiety, which can impair memory function. Seeking out ways to break stress, such as exercising and relying on the emotional support of family and friends, can thus be one of the most effective memory loss treatments.

An unhealthy diet can not only cause stress, it can literally be devoid of certain substances which help boost brain power. Many experts recommend taking Ginkgo biloba, an herbal medicine used to stimulate the brain and improve memory. Scientific evidence also suggests that Ginkgo biloba may help prevent dementia.

Memory loss treatments also include memory exercises and coming up with tricks to aid memory retention. It's not uncommon for perfectly healthy people to forget things as a result of having their attention divided by too many things; as such, many memory exercises help people focus more intently on an activity or piece of information. People might also attach important dates and events to new information. Writing things down more frequently is another helpful tool.

In moderate to severe cases of dementia, such as with Alzheimer's disease, memory loss treatments may need to include medication. A person may also no longer be able to live without the constant aid of family and doctors. Drugs for dementia help slow down the progression of symptoms by increasing levels of acetylcholine in the brain, an essential chemical for the brain's memory function. Although many cases of dementia are irreversible, medication can play an important role in making a condition more livable.

Those living with dementia may also rely on environmental memory loss treatments, such as rearranging one's living environment to make things easier to locate. Labeling items can also help an individual to better remember and navigate their environment. In more severe cases, one might even label pictures of friends and family members to help remember faces and names.