For a long time, doctors believed that forgetfulness and mental confusion were normal signs of aging. But what scientists now know, but many people don’t, is that many prescription drugs interfere with memory. Here are the top 10 types of criminals.
Anti-anxiety medication (benzodiazepines)
Why they are prescribed: Benzodiazepines are used to treat various anxiety disorders, agitation, delirium, muscle spasms, and to prevent seizures. Because of their sedative properties, benzodiazepines are sometimes used to treat insomnia and anxiety associated with depression.
Examples include: alprazolam (Xanax), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), flurazepam (Dalmane), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), quazepam (Doral), temazepam (Restoril), triazepam ( ). H)).
Drugs that cause memory loss
Anti-anxiety medications
Cholesterol medication
Anti-seizure drugs
Antidepressant drugs
Narcotic pain reliever
Parkinson’s drugs
Medicines for high blood pressure
Sleeping equipment
Diuretics
Antihistamines
How they impair memory: Benzodiazepines reduce activity in key areas of the brain involved in transferring events from short-term to long-term memory. In fact, benzodiazepines are used for anesthesia for this very reason. When drugs are added to the anesthesiologist’s cocktail, patients hardly remember any discomfort during the procedure. Midazolam (Versed) has special properties.
Alternatives: Benzodiazepines should be used sparingly and, in my opinion, for short periods in the elderly. Older people take longer to clear these drugs from their bodies than younger people, and as a result, seniors are at greater risk of dementia, falls, fractures, and motor vehicle accidents.
If you are using any of these medications for insomnia, mild anxiety, or anxiety, talk to your doctor or other health care professional about other drug or non-drug treatments for your condition. If you have insomnia, for example, melatonin can help. When taken in doses of 3 to 10 mg before bedtime, melatonin can help restore healthy sleep patterns.
Consult your healthcare professional before stopping or reducing the dose of a benzodiazepine. Abrupt withdrawal can trigger serious side effects, so a healthcare professional should always monitor the process.
Memory loss is inevitable as we age. In fact, the brain can grow new brain cells and reshape their connections throughout life.
Most people are familiar with some of the things that can impair memory, including alcohol and drug abuse, heavy smoking, head injury, stroke, insomnia, severe stress, vitamin B12 deficiency, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression.