The central nervous system is a thin and fragile structure. For dysfunctional disorders, a small jolt in the form of impaired blood circulation, changes in trophism and inflammatory processes is sufficient.
All such phenomena are potentially dangerous, they have a neurological deficit from the very first days.
Cognitive impairment is never accidental. Even overload, prolonged stress has a pathological effect with a complete diagnosis (chronic fatigue syndrome).
To correct this situation, it is necessary to treat the primary pathological process and use a symptomatic group of drugs.
Memory-enhancing tablets are a generic name for a number of drugs that restore cerebral circulation, metabolic processes, or otherwise qualitatively affect brain functional activity.
The effect can be very different, here is a short list of how it works:
- Normalization of blood circulation in the central nervous system.
- Restoration of metabolic rate and quality, biochemical processes in brain structures.
- Stopping oxidative phenomena, restoring the integrity of brain cells.
- Removal of cholesterol deposits, mechanical restoration of blood flow.
- Decrease or increase in blood pressure (depending on the nature of the pathological process).
- Maintaining the central nervous system in a normal state by activating natural regenerative phenomena.
Each effect corresponds to one or more groups of medicines at the same time. Let's consider them in more detail.
Medicines and their characteristics
The medicines described below should not be used without your doctor's permission. Indeed, some of them are safe, such as the same vitamins. But with the excess substance, it begins to destroy the body.
In addition, serious side effects, including allergic reactions, are possible.
Cerebrovascular drugs
Simply put, brain circulation correctors. According to global statistics, trophic disorders in the central nervous system are one of the leading causes of death among the world's population. Conditions such as stroke, encephalopathy are well known even to a person without special medical knowledge.
All cerebrovascular disorders clearly cause memory, thinking, concentration and learning disorders. Gradually, they only get worse.
Cerebrovascular drugs are a broad group of drugs, in the category of correctors you can count about a hundred items.
If you name the most popular and common medicine:
Cinnarizine
The basis of the activity - the dilation of blood vessels in the brain, impaired penetration of calcium ions through the walls of large arteries.
At the same time, the drug has no effect on the pressure in the duct, so it can be prescribed to patients with cardiovascular disease at any stage of the disorder.
The drug is quite old, but it is still actively used because it has a minimal amount of side effects, is well tolerated and has a wide range of pharmacological activity.
Vinpocetine
Has similar properties but is considered stronger. It is intended for ischemic processes in the brain. Included as a means of rapid recovery from a stroke.
Caution: Unlike cinnarizine, it slightly lowers blood pressure.
Portability is still good. It can be used as a medicine for the prevention of CNS pathologies.
Suitable for long-term use.
Piracetam
Strictly speaking, not quite a cerebrovascular drug. It is a combined product that can be described as a corrector of central nervous system trophism and at the same time nootropic. Piracetam improves brain function, concentration and increases the ability to memorize information.
It is indicated for patients with cardiovascular disease, secondary brain disorders, neuroendocrine pathologies and other dangerous conditions. Versatile in its own way.
Well tolerated, awarded after courses. It is not recommended to use it for too long, as the effect is rapidly reduced.
Deproteinized calf blood hemoderative
This is a complex medicine. It restores normal blood circulation to the brain, improves its function, adjusts metabolic processes, promotes the regeneration of brain tissue and increases efficiency.
The product is based on the blood components of calves. Proteins as such have a huge potential for allergens, so there is a risk of an immune response, an inadequate body defense.
It is useful to increase the dose gradually and to monitor your health closely.
There are also herbal medicines, but they are not considered medicines. These are supplements, so you should not have high expectations for them.
Each of the above groups is represented by several other trade names (manufacturers register different variations).
Which product to choose depends on the severity and characteristics of the clinical case. The solution to the issue remains with the treating specialist.
Cerebral blood vessels have different tolerances, they have their own characteristics. The likelihood of side effects is determined individually; if suspicious symptoms occur, contact your specialist again.
Nootropics
A broad group of drugs that partially covers the other categories identified and described here.
This type of medicine affects your health in several ways:
- Stabilization of cell membranes. Due to this, the strength of the cytoplasmic membrane increases, load tolerance at the micro level.
- Increased production of energy valuable compounds. Providing brain structures, nerve tissue with useful substances, resulting in improved memory.
- Accelerate the transport and use of glucose. As a result, brain cells receive more food and absorb it better.
- Acceleration of nerve impulse transmission in brain structures.
Nootropics are memory tablets that improve the concentration, speed and quality of thinking, represented by several subgroups:
Acetylcholine precursors
Meclofenoxate, deanol aceglumine. At the biochemical level, they stimulate the work of the brain, increase the intensity of nerve impulse transmission.
Well tolerated, but only in measured doses. Excessive or excessive concentrations of the active substance cause seizures, psychotic disorders and brain disorders.
Unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
Pyrrolidine derivatives
Piracetam, Aniracetam, Dupracetam and a dozen more variations. They are approximately identical in terms of clinical efficacy. Only the main indications differ: one medicine is effective for prevention, another as a recovery measure after a stroke, and so on.
Many of the names described are complex agents that affect several aspects of the pathology: disorders of brain biochemistry, quality of cerebral circulation, stops oxidative processes in the central nervous system.
Amino Acids
The most popular option is glycine. The drug is universal, it is prescribed for both adults and children.
has a fairly small, specific action. Therefore, it is not suitable for the correction of complex pathological processes.
As a basic technique or disease prevention tool, it works great. Amino acids, like other organic compounds, can cause allergies. Therefore, when receiving, you must respect the maximum discretion.
Peptides
Drugs to improve memory are prescribed as a measure of the prevention or restoration of 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 treatment base for mild to moderate disease.
GABA Analogs
Gamma aminobutyric acid and others are inexpensive pills to improve brain function. They mimic the action of a special organic substance that accelerates the transmission of nerve impulses to brain structures.
This type of drug also has other effects: antiplatelet agents, psychostimulants, sedatives. True, to a very small extent.
These products are suitable for long-term use.
Pyrodoxine derivatives
Strong drugs, stimulants of tissue metabolism. They help to improve memory and brain function, prevent excessive nervous tension, correct the manifestations of addiction (craving for alcohol, nicotine). But you can't take them for long.
Nootropics are not comic drugs. All the suggestions of "overclocking" the brain, which are so actively discussed online, are a dangerous delusion.
Funds can only be obtained for indications with the direct consent of the physician. If the drugs are drunk incorrectly, under the wrong scheme, in excessive doses, the biochemistry of the brain can become chaotic.
It is full of psychoses, increased risk of schizophrenia, extrapyramidal disorders (seizures, problems with physical activity).
Most of the described tablets for memory and brain function can only be used in adults: the child's nerve tissue, the biochemistry of the central nervous system have not yet been determined, the risk of mental destruction is high even with competent, correct intake according to the scheme.
Antioxidants and vitamins
Cellular oxidative processes are an electron transition phenomenon from the atoms of the cytological structure to a substance that aggressively affects tissues.
The result is a violation of membrane integrity and cell death, as it is not possible to separate from the external environment, usually by transporting substances. The reaction produces ions that can also destroy other structures.
If we ignore biochemistry, oxidation leads to the death of healthy tissues, the gradual degradation of the body's systems. The brain also suffers, so does memory, attention, thinking.
Interestingly, these phenomena are quite physiological, they play one of the main roles in the aging process.
The challenge is to stop negative change. Antioxidant preparations can help in this.
They can be divided into 3 broad categories:
- Enzymes and minerals. The former have the ability to accelerate the natural processes in the body. Including the binding of free radicals and their rapid removal from body structures.
Minerals are components of many organic molecules. Their systems do not know how to synthesize substances coming from outside with food. The main elements that can fight radicals are selenium, manganese and zinc.
- Flavanoids. Low molecular weight compounds. Due to their structural features, they can bind free radicals themselves by attracting charged particles (ions). By their nature, they are organic structures.
The most famous are tannin, quercetin (found in tea and more), catechin (found in quality wines).
- Vitamins. A, E, B, C. In sufficient quantity they safely cover the body from dangerous dangers.
Antioxidant drugs for improving memory function as an adjunct to the main treatment, their task is to prevent the pathological processes of the central nervous system, to slow down tissue aging, so they are suitable for elderly patients.
Medicines for lipid metabolism disorders
Atherosclerosis of the cerebral vessels can cause disorders of higher nerve activity.
This phenomenon is associated with a disorder of fat metabolism in the body, the deposition of cholesterol on the walls of blood vessels. This results in a mechanical barrier to blood flow.
The trophism of brain structures suffers significantly. There may be a stroke in the later stages of the disorder.
The pathological process can take several years, gradually deteriorating the quality of memory and thinking. In this case, special drugs are enough to restore the functioning of the central nervous system.
Clean blood vessels to restore lipid metabolism:
- statins. Inhibits fat production. This type of medicine should be used with caution. Especially early generation products. They cause many side effects.
- Fibrates are prescribed for some forms of hyperlipidaemia or as part of treatment with statins.
- Nicotinic acid. Appointed only as directed. Because the drug is difficult to tolerate.
Correction of brain disorders is performed using these means in various combinations.
Medicines to lower blood pressure
Higher levels of nerve activity may be associated with an increase in blood pressure. The trophic tissues of the brain suffer. The result is problems with memory, attention.
This medicine belongs to several groups:
- Beta blockers. Metoprolol Tartrate, Bisoprolol Fumarate, Propranolol Hydrochloride and a dozen more variations.
- Calcium antagonists. Relax blood vessels, dilute the pressure level.
- ACE inhibitors. Medicines that slow down the production of a special substance called angiotensin. It increases the tone of the arteries.
- Diuretics. Medicines that remove excess fluid.
- Central operating tools. They regulate the work of blood vessels at the level of the brain itself.
All are used strictly as directed.
Caution: Incorrect combinations "plant" the kidneys, heart. This is a situation where treatment is more dangerous than the disease itself.
Means for raising blood pressure
Low blood pressure values affect thinking and memory, and worse. Because there are problems with the trophism of the brain with insufficient brain structure: with memory, thinking.
Correcting low blood pressure is difficult. Herbal preparations (Eleutherococcus, Ginseng, Schisandra) are identified. Also tonic drugs. All medicines that increase blood pressure are described in this article.
The main role is given to the treatment of the primary pathology, the cause of the disorder. Also lifestyle and dietary changes.
This is not an easy task. I need the help of a competent cardiologist. Neurologists are involved as needed.
Precautions
Drugs, even if used properly, can pose a risk. To reduce them, there are a few nuances to keep in mind:
- Vitamins improve memory and attention, but only in doses that correspond to physiological: here the principle of "the more, the more effective" does not work, the development of hypervitaminosis, cardiovascular, cerebral, connective tissue and endocrine disorders. systems.
- Wrong doses of nootropic drugs cause psychosis, destruction of nerve fibers. They cannot be used without a doctor's sanction, indications.
- Plant-based products, organic components (proteins, amino acids, enzymes) often cause allergies. These are the consequences of their nature. Therefore, you need to take care of your health.
- Tablets that improve brain function, including nootropics, cerebral blood vessels, are contraindicated in central nervous system tumors, disorders such as relapsing multiple sclerosis. As the pathological processes will accelerate and worsen.
No medication should be used alone. Appointment of treatment is the last stage of correction, the tip of the iceberg. Before that, a complete diagnosis is made.
In all cases, you should contact your doctor.
Checks for memory degradation
Neurologists study the signs of the disorder. If necessary, cardiology and endocrinology specialists participate in the case.
To make a diagnosis, you need to perform the following procedures:
- Interview the patient.
- Collection of medical history.
- EEG. To study the electrical activity of the central nervous system.
- Two-sided brain scan.
- An ultrasound technique that provides information about the structure and functional activity of arteries.
- X-ray of the skull.
- MRI on request.
- Pressure measurement: regular or daily.
- ECHO-KG, ECG. Heart research.
Memory medications are designed to fight the root cause. There is no point in correcting higher nerve activity without eliminating the main culprit of the disorder.