Total recall

Photo courtesy of Steve Caddy

Wouldn’t it be fantastic to remember absolutely everything? Well apparently, for one woman who has this remarkable ability, it’s not a blessing, but a curse.

The downside might be that you would remember every bad thing that ever happened to you, in excruciating detail, and exactly how you felt at the time – but as if you were re-living it. Over and over again.

So for those of wanting to improve our memory, remember the words of W. W. Jacobs:

“Be careful what you wish for, you may receive it”

Long term memory loss

Photo courtesy of Mercuryvapour

The jury’s out on whether Epilepsy or anti-seizure medication (or neither) causes memory loss.

This Timesonline article reports on one person’s experience and the views of 3 leading neurologists who believe that Epilepsy may be linked to long term memory loss.

This may be particularly true for those of us with temporal lobe seizures, as this is the part of the brain where memories are stored. They do believe that it’s not modern drugs that are causing the problem (although older, barbiturate-based ones might).

In cases of severe memory loss, to cope with the effects it helps that the sufferer is believed by both the Doctor and by friends/family. Help should also be sought for associated anxiety or depression.

The vital vitamin: B12

Photo courtesy of Mediterrate

Latest research from the University of Oxford highlights the role of vitamin B12 in preventing memory loss in the elderly. Not stated, there may be some relevance to epileptics with memory loss.

B12 naturally occurs in meat, fish and milk. Liver and shellfish are particularly rich sources of B12. Diets poor in B12 have been linked to anaemia and nervous system damage, for example Vegans not eating B12 supplements or fortified breakfast cereals.

The Vegan Society warns that that 10 to 30% of those aged over 50 may have trouble absorbing B12 and suggests it may be worth Vegans eating foods fortified with B12 or taking a supplement.

Oxford’s research will now trial B vitamins to help the elderly.

In summary, “this is another example of why it is crucial for people to lead a healthy lifestyle with a balanced diet rich in B vitamins and antioxidants”, Dr Susanne Sorensen, the Alzheimer’s Society.

Are grapefruits dangerous?

Photo courtesy of qousqous

Recent news items, following research from the University of Western Ontario, warn of taking medication with grapefruit juice as this could substantially impair the absorption and therefore the effectiveness of the drug.  Other fruit juices may have a similar effect.

This echoes an earlier warning in 2002 from the New South Wales Department of Health that grapefruits and grapefruit drinks could interact with Carbamazepine (Tegretol) used to treat Epilepsy. To repeat the advice in their factsheet:

“People should carefully read the Consumer Medicine Information sheet that accompanies most prescription-only products obtainable from the pharmacist. Anyone with concerns should consult their pharmacist or doctor.”