The central nervous system is a thin and fragile structure. For dysfunctional disorders, a mild shock is sufficient in the form of weakened blood circulation, changes in trophism and inflammatory processes.
All of these phenomena are potentially dangerous and cause neurological deficits from the first days.
Cognitive impairment is never accidental. Even with overwork, prolonged stress has an abnormal effect, through a complete diagnosis (chronic fatigue syndrome).
To correct this situation, it is necessary to treat the primary pathological process and use a group of symptomatic drugs.
Pills to improve memory is the widespread name for a series of drugs that restore cerebral blood flow, metabolic processes or qualitatively affect the functional activity of the brain.
The effect can be very different, here is a short list of action principles:
- Normalization of blood circulation in the central nervous system.
- Restoration of speed and quality of metabolism, biochemical processes in brain structures.
- Suspension of oxidative phenomena, restoration of brain cell integrity.
- Removal of cholesterol deposits, mechanical restoration of blood flow.
- Decrease or increase in blood pressure (depending on the nature of the pathological process).
- Maintain the central nervous system in a normal state, activating natural regenerative phenomena.
Each effect corresponds to one or more groups of drugs at the same time. Let's consider them in more detail.
Medicines and peculiarities of their action
Medicines of the types described below should not be taken without your doctor's approval. In fact, some of them are safe, for example, the same vitamins. But with excess of substance, it begins to destroy the body.
In addition, serious side effects are possible, including allergic reactions.
Cerebrovascular drugs
Simply put, cerebral circulation correctors. According to world statistics, trophic disorders of the central nervous system are a major cause of death in the world population. Conditions such as strokes and encephalopathy are well known even to a person without special medical knowledge.
All disorders of cerebral blood flow unmistakably cause disturbances in memory, thinking, concentration and learning. Gradually, they only get worse.
Cerebrovascular drugs are a wide group of drugs, in the category of brokers you can count on about one hundred items.
If you name the most popular and common medicines:
Cinnarizine
Basis of action - expansion of the blood vessels of the brain, violation of the penetration of calcium ions into the walls of the great arteries.
At the same time, the drug does not affect the pressure in the channel, so it can be prescribed for patients with pathologies of the cardiovascular system at any stage of the disorder.
The medication is quite old, but it is still actively used, as it has minimal side effects, is well tolerated and has a wide range of pharmacological activities.
Vinpocetine
It has similar properties, but is considered more potent. It is prescribed for ischemic processes in the brain. Even as a means of rapid recovery after a stroke.
Warning: Unlike cinnarizine, it lowers blood pressure a little.
Portability is still good. It can be used as a medication for the prevention of CNS pathologies.
Suitable for long-term use.
Piracetam
Strictly speaking, it is not exactly a cerebrovascular medication. It is a combined drug that can be characterized as a corrective to the trophism of the central nervous system and at the same time nootropic. Piracetam improves brain activity, concentration and increases the ability to memorize information.
It is prescribed for patients with diseases of the cardiovascular system, secondary disorders of the brain, neuroendocrine deviations and other dangerous conditions. It is universal in its way.
Well tolerated, attributed by courses. It is not recommended to use it for a long time, because the effect is reduced drastically.
Hemoderivative deproteinized calf blood
This is a complex medication. Restores normal blood circulation in the brain, improves its functioning, corrects metabolic processes, promotes the regeneration of brain tissues and increases efficiency.
The product is prepared based on blood components of calves. The proteins themselves have enormous allergenic potential, so there are risks of an immune response, an inadequate reaction on the part of the body's defenses.
It makes sense to gradually increase the dosage and monitor health status closely.
There are also herbal medicines, but they are not considered medicines. These are dietary supplements, so you should not place any serious hopes on them.
Each of the groups above is represented by several other trade names (manufacturers register several variations).
The choice of medication depends on the severity and characteristics of the clinical case. The solution to the problem remains at the discretion of the specialist responsible for treatment.
Cerebrovascular have different tolerances, have their own characteristics. The likelihood of side effects is determined individually; if suspicious symptoms appear, you should contact your specialist again.
Nootropics
A broad group of drugs, which partially covers other categories, which are presented and described here.
Medicines of this type affect health in several ways:
- Stabilization of cell membranes. Because of this, the resistance of the cytoplasmic membrane increases, the tolerance of charges at the micro level.
- Increased production of energy-valuable compounds. Providing brain structures and nerve tissues with useful substances as a result, improving memory.
- Acceleration of glucose transport and utilization. Thanks to this, the brain cells receive more nutrition and absorb better.
- Accelerated transmission of nerve impulses in brain structures.
Nootropics are pills for memory, improving concentration, speed and quality of thought, they are represented by several subgroups:
Acetylcholine precursors
Meclophenoxate, deanol aceglumate. At the biochemical level, they stimulate the work of the brain, increase the intensity of the transmission of nerve impulses.
Well tolerated, but only in metered doses. Overuse or exceeding the concentration of the active substance causes seizures, psychotic disorders and brain disorders.
Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
Pyrrolidine derivatives
Piracetam, Aniracetam, Dupracetam and a dozen more variations. In terms of clinical effectiveness, they are almost identical. Only the main indications differ: one drug is effective for prevention, another as a recovery measure for a stroke, etc.
Many of the names described are complex remedies that affect various aspects of the pathology: disturbances in the brain's biochemistry, quality of cerebral blood flow and interruption of oxidative processes in the central nervous system.
Amino Acids
The most popular option is Glycine. The drug is universal, it is prescribed for both adult patients and children.
Has very few specific activities. Therefore, it is not suitable for the correction of complex pathological processes.
As an aid to basic technique or disease prevention - it does an excellent job. Amino acids, like other organic compounds, can trigger allergies. Therefore, when receiving, you need to exercise maximum discretion.
Peptides
Drugs to improve memory are prescribed as a measure to prevent or restore brain function after TBI, strokes and inflammatory processes.
They have no hormonal activity, due to the high degree of purification they practically do not cause allergic reactions.
Often used as a therapy base for diseases of mild and moderate severity.
GABA analogs
Gamma-aminobutyric acid and others are inexpensive pills to increase brain activity. They mimic the action of a special organic substance, which accelerates the transmission of a nervous impulse in brain structures.
Medicines of this type also have other effects: antiplatelet agents, psychostimulants, sedatives. True, to a very small extent.
These funds are suitable for long-term use.
Derivatives of pyrodoxine
Powerful drugs that stimulate tissue metabolism. They help to improve memory and brain function, eliminate excessive nervous tension, correct manifestations of addiction (desire for alcohol, nicotine). But you cannot take them for long.
Nootropics are not comical drugs. All recommendations about brain overclocking, so actively discussed on the network, are dangerous illusions.
Funds can only be taken under indication, when there is direct medical approval. If the funds are consumed incorrectly, according to the wrong scheme, in an overdose, the biochemistry of the brain can be put into a chaotic state.
It is full of psychoses, increased risk of schizophrenia, extrapyramidal disorders (convulsions, problems with physical activity).
Most of the pills described for memory and improved brain function can only be taken by adults: the child's nerve tissues, the biochemistry of the central nervous system have not yet been established, the risks of mental destruction are high even withcompetent and correct intake according to the scheme.
Antioxidants and vitamins
The oxidative processes of cells are the phenomenon of the transition of electrons from atoms in the shell of the cytological structure to a substance that aggressively affects tissues.
The result is a violation of the integrity of the membrane and cell death due to the impossibility of separating from the external environment, normally transporting substances. As a result of the reaction, ions are formed, which are also capable of destroying other structures.
If we ignore biochemistry, oxidation leads to the death of entire tissues, the gradual degradation of the body's systems. The brain also suffers and, therefore, memory, attention, thought.
Interestingly, these phenomena are quite physiological, they play a major role in the aging process.
The challenge is to stop adverse changes. Preparations from the antioxidant group can help with this.
They can be divided into 3 broad categories:
- Enzymes and minerals. The former have the ability to accelerate the body's natural processes. Including the binding of free radicals and their rapid removal from body structures.
Minerals are the constituents of many organic molecules. Their systems do not know how to synthesize, substances come from outside with food. The main elements capable of combating radicals are selenium, manganese and zinc.
- Flavonoids. Low molecular weight compounds. Due to their structural characteristics, they can bind to free radicals, attaching charged particles (ions) to themselves. By their nature, they are organic structures.
The most famous are tannin, quercetin (found in tea and others), catechin (found in quality wines).
- Vitamins. A, E, B, C. In sufficient quantities, they protect the body from dangerous threats.
Medicines to improve the memory of the group of antioxidants act as adjuvants to the main treatment, have the function of preventing pathological processes of the central nervous system, delaying the aging of tissues, so they are indicated for elderly patients.
Medicines for disorders of lipid metabolism
Disorders of high nerve activity can be caused by atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels.
This phenomenon is associated with disorders of fat metabolism in the body, the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. As a result, a mechanical obstacle to blood movement is created.
The trophism of brain structures suffers significantly. In the more advanced stages of the disorder, the stroke is likely.
The pathological process can last for years, gradually deteriorating the quality of memory and thought. To restore the functioning of the central nervous system, in this case, special medicines are enough.
To restore lipid metabolism, clean blood vessels:
- Statins. Inhibits fat production. This type of medication should be used with caution. Especially the funds of the first generations. They cause many side effects.
- Fibrates are prescribed for some forms of hyperlipidemia or as part of therapy with statins.
- Nicotinic acid. Named only according to the indications. Because the drug is difficult to tolerate.
The correction of brain disorders is carried out by means of these means in different combinations.
Medicines to lower blood pressure
Disorders of high nervous activity may be associated with an increase in blood pressure. Brain tissue trophism suffers. The result is memory problems, attention.
These drugs are presented in several groups:
- Beta blockers. Metoprolol tartrate, bisoprolol fumarate, propranolol hydrochloride and a dozen more variations.
- Calcium antagonists. Relax the blood vessels, liquefy the pressure level.
- ACE inhibitors. Drugs that decrease the production of a special substance, angiotensin. Increases the tone of the arteries.
- Diuretics. Medicines that remove excess fluid.
- Central means of action. They regulate the functioning of blood vessels at the level of the brain itself.
All are applied strictly according to the indications.
Attention: Incorrect combinations "plant" the kidneys, the heart. This is the situation where treatment is more dangerous than the disease itself.
Means for increasing blood pressure
Low blood pressure values affect thinking and memory, and even worse. Since with insufficient trophism of brain structures, there are problems in the functioning of the brain: with memory, thinking.
Correcting low blood pressure is difficult. Herbal preparations are prescribed (Eleutherococcus, Ginseng, Schisandra). Also tonic remedies. All medications that increase blood pressure are described in this article.
The main role is assigned to the treatment of primary pathology, the cause of the disease. Also changes in lifestyle and diet.
This is not an easy task. I need the help of a competent cardiologist. Neurologists are involved as needed.
Precautions
Medicines, even when used correctly, can pose risks. To minimize them, it is worth remembering some nuances:
- Vitamins improve memory and attention, but only in dosages corresponding to physiological: the principle "the more, the more effective" does not work here, the development of hypervitaminosis, disorders of the heart, blood vessels, brain structures, connective tissues and endocrine systems.
- Nootropics at the wrong dosage can cause psychosis and destruction of nerve fibers. They cannot be used without the doctor's permission and indication.
- Herbal products, organic components (proteins, amino acids, enzymes) often cause allergies. This is a consequence of its nature. Therefore, you need to take care of your health.
- Pills that improve brain function, including nootropic, cerebrovascular, are contraindicated for tumors of the central nervous system, disorders such as relapsing multiple sclerosis. Because pathological processes will accelerate and get worse.
No medication should be taken in isolation. The appointment of the treatment is the final stage of correction, the tip of the iceberg. It is preceded by a complete diagnosis.
In all cases, you need to contact your specialist doctor.
Tests needed for memory impairment
Neurologists are studying the characteristics of the disorder. If necessary, specialists in cardiology and endocrinology participate in the case.
To make a diagnosis, you need the following procedures:
- Interview the patient.
- Collecting anamnesis.
- EEG. To investigate the electrical activity of the central nervous system.
- Duplex scan of brain vessels.
- An ultrasound technique that provides information about the structure and functional activity of the arteries.
- X-ray of the skull.
- MRI on demand.
- Blood pressure measurement: routine or daily.
- ECHO-KG, EKG. Heart research.
Memory medications are designed to combat the root cause. There is no point in correcting high nervous activity without eliminating the main culprit of the disorder.