Improve Memory in MS Patients

Contending with problems with cognition or memory is part of living with MS. Individuals with such problems may suffer from impaired judgment to a degree: or, they may have trouble with short term memory or memory retrieval (American Academy of Neurology). If you are a sufferer of MS and if you find yourself contending with these problems, there are some ways that you can take control of your circumstances, so as to keep your brain sharp and slow the process of memory or cognition corruption.

One thing that you can do to slow down the impairment of your memory or cognition is to do challenging tasks that will cause your brain to work hard. Studies show that MS patients who lead a mentally active lifestyle are able to retain better learning and memory ability compared to those who do not, even if there is brain atrophy present (American Academy of Neurology). Some suggestions of challenging tasks that you can do to remain mentally active are to research topics and write about them, study words from the dictionary and challenge yourself to retain those words, and asking friends and family to engage you in challenging tasks that will force you to really use your memory. Crossword puzzles are also a great idea because they serve as fabulous mind exercises. Book reading falls in the same category because reading is stimulating to the brain (American Academy of Neurology).

Another thing that you can do to preserve your memory and cognition is to play games that will cause you to think. Educational games, such as math and word games, are fabulous because they really cause you to think hard and exercise your brain to its fullest. If you are a blind MS sufferer, however, you will notice that it will be difficult to find such games because there is a lack of accessible games of this type. The only games that you will be able to find that will help in this regard are Memory, Hang Man, and some word guessing games. You will be able to find these games on the Audio Games website.

If you put these strategies into practice, you will notice that you will have less trouble with your memory. I have friends with MS who have noticed that they are dealing with memory problems that cause them great frustration; however, when they have utilized these strategies, they noticed marked improvements over a period of time in their ability to remember things and think more clearly. And because these things have worked for my friends, I felt comfortable recommending them to you. You can try these strategies for yourself to see if they work with you. If they do, that is fabulous. If they don't, well, at least you gave it the good old college try. And think about it this way. If you try, you have a fifty percent chance of success. If you do not try, you have a one hundred percent chance of failing. So, try implementing these strategies into your own life and keep a positive attitude all the while.

Work Cited

American Academy of Neurology. "Can Mental Activity Protect Against Memory Problems in Multiple Sclerosis?." ScienceDaily 16 June 2010. 21 June 2010 http://www.sciencedaily.com /releases/2010/06/100614161345.htm.