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Health and Fitness

Concentration going

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#1 of 19

     Posted 5/23/09 12:18 PM   
Andrew B.
 
From  Andrew B.  Posts 4  Last Oct-4
To  All      [Msg # 1558.1 ]    

My ability to concentrate has gone from being amusing to being worrisome. I imagine there are some first steps one should take when this starts to happen. Suggestions for tests, etc.?

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#2 of 19

     Posted 5/23/09 4:15 PM   
Nancy C, Wizop
 
From  Nancy C, Wizop  Posts 517  Last 6:05 AM
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.2 Message 1558.2 replying to 1558.1 1558.1 ]    
Do you mean you can't focus on something when you try or are you referring to memory?  In either case, if you are really worried, a neuro-psychologist  can test you.  Perhaps a neurologist could do some tests too.  Perhaps you should start with your own doctor.

Depression or anxiety can affect concentration as well as various age-related conditions, such as various forms of dementia.  It seems to me that it is important to determine if you really have a problem and if so what the cause is.  However, here are some links you might find interesting.

There is information on foods that might help here.

Click here for 7 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease.

Click here for information on a skin test for Alzheimer's disease.

Again, I think the first step is to determine if you really have a problem.




Nancy C.
Seniors Community
Investing for Growth Forum

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#3 of 19

     Posted 5/23/09 4:15 PM   
Susan
 
From  Susan  Posts 208  Last Nov-24
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.3 Message 1558.3 replying to 1558.1 1558.1 ]    
There are so many factors involved.  How old are you?  Are you bored?  Have you been under stress lately?  Have you had your eyes checked?  Has something happened that depressed you?  Are you taking a new medication of some kind such as for high blood pressure?  Are you worried about something? 


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#4 of 19

     Posted 5/23/09 5:25 PM   
Patricia O.
 
From  Patricia O.  Posts 602  Last 2:08 AM
To  Nancy C, Wizop      [Msg # 1558.4 Message 1558.4 replying to 1558.2 1558.2 ]    
>>> Click here for 7 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease. <<<
My son exhibits a lot of those signs, but it's because he's a drunk.   It's like living in Groundhog Day (movie) around here recently.  Every day, we have the same conversations -- except he doesn't remember having them before.
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#5 of 19

     Posted 5/23/09 5:31 PM   
Patricia O.
 
From  Patricia O.  Posts 602  Last 2:08 AM
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.5 Message 1558.5 replying to 1558.1 1558.1 ]    
>>> My ability to concentrate has gone from being amusing to being worrisome. <<<
I think within certain ranges, that's a normal function of aging.  But there also a lot of other factors that can affect it, as others have mentioned.

Us older folks tend to start taking a variety of drugs, which can affect brain power. 

And heaven knows the economy right now (and the accompanying stress levels) would cause anyone to have problems -- especially if worry is affecting one's sleep patterns.

I have real concentration issues, stemming primarily from two physical issues -- a bad concussion a few years back in a motorcycle accident, and severe anemia from Crohn's disease.

How long has it been since you had a complete physical, with blood tests?
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#6 of 19

     Posted 5/23/09 8:38 PM   
Nancy C, Wizop
 
From  Nancy C, Wizop  Posts 517  Last 6:05 AM
To  Patricia O.      [Msg # 1558.6 Message 1558.6 replying to 1558.4 1558.4 ]    
Every day, we have the same conversations -- except he doesn't remember having them before.

The wife of one of the men DH plays golf with is like that. She has Alzheimer's.  She asks the same questions every few minutes and tells the same things every few minutes.  It is sad.

Nancy C.
Seniors Community
Investing for Growth Forum

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#7 of 19

     Posted 5/24/09 6:51 AM   
tbangkok
 
From  tbangkok  Posts 124  Last Oct-27
To  Patricia O.      [Msg # 1558.7 Message 1558.7 replying to 1558.5 1558.5 ]    

I've read several articles on the Internet concerning coconut oil and Crohn's you may be interested in.

May want to check this out.

Was also an very interesting one on Alheimer's

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#8 of 19

     Posted 5/24/09 7:39 AM   
Cal
 
From  Cal  Posts 901  Last Nov-24
To  Patricia O.      [Msg # 1558.8 Message 1558.8 replying to 1558.5 1558.5 ]    

Us older folks tend to start taking a variety of drugs, which can affect brain power. 

Yes, my wife says it is hard to concentrate after her recent surgery. Blames it on the medications and anesthesia.

Cal, from West Michigan

All generalizations are false, including this one..

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#9 of 19

     Posted May-30 10:22 PM   
Andrew B.
 
From  Andrew B.  Posts 4  Last Oct-4
To  Susan      [Msg # 1558.9 Message 1558.9 replying to 1558.3 1558.3 ]    

Thanks for all the replies. I tried to reply sooner but lost my message. 

Anyway, it is true that I'm in bad health. And I'm under a great deal of stress. I was diagnosed with two cancers last year. One (tongue cancer) is in remission. The other (prostate cancer) is being watched. Before that I was hit with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and had to quit work. Things got worse for me after going through chemo and radiation. I can no longer drive myself, shop, etc. It is all I can do to make simple meals. I'm 62 years old.

The reason I posted is, a few days earlier I left some eggs cooking on the stove and forgot I was even cooking. It was just dumb luck that I noticed the pan on the stove and remembered. I also noticed that sometimes when I post to a thread, my next message will repeat what I said in the previous one. 

Of course, this all scares me. I live alone and don't have any friends close who can help me. So I am trying to get a grip on what's happening. Your replies have helped me focus.

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#10 of 19

     Posted May-30 10:51 PM   
Cal
 
From  Cal  Posts 901  Last Nov-24
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.10 Message 1558.10 replying to 1558.9 1558.9 ]    

The reason I posted is, a few days earlier I left some eggs cooking on the stove and forgot I was even cooking.

I have done worse. It is called male focus. Men usually focus on a task at hand and ignore other things. And sometimes get distracted to other pursuits, forgetting what they were doing.

Women OTOH habitually gather information from all around all the time. Some say it comes from primitive men being hunters and women being gatherers.

But living alone is terrible and dangerous. Have you looked into getting into a group home? Or joining  groups like Kiwanis, stamp collectors, church, whatever?

It took me 6 years to find a new wife after my first wife died, but life is much better now. We look after each other. She has just gotten out of a cast after her foot surgery in March. Now she can drive herself to work and wash our clothes etc. While she was laid up I had to learn how to make coffee and use her washing machine.

Cal, from West Michigan

All generalizations are false, including this one..

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#11 of 19

     Posted May-31 4:50 AM   
Mike Willmoth
 
From  Mike Willmoth  Posts 41  Last Jun-29
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.11 Message 1558.11 replying to 1558.9 1558.9 ]    

Andrew, where do you live?  My wife mentioned groups that exist to help folks for shopping, etc.  You may be near one.  She can look and let you know through me :-)

<== Mike ==>

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#12 of 19

     Posted May-31 7:14 AM   
Nancy C, Wizop
 
From  Nancy C, Wizop  Posts 517  Last 6:05 AM
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.12 Message 1558.12 replying to 1558.9 1558.9 ]    
Andrew,

I'm glad you got back to us.

Clearly you have had a lot of health problems and are under the care of one or more physicians, so I would suggest talking to one of them about this issue.    Your concentration problems could be a function of many things, such as medications, but according to WebMd, that is one of the symptoms of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.  You can read more if you click here.

There are several ways to find a specific discussion in this forum.  You can look on our forum's home page under Recent Discussions (top middle) or look under Hot Topics (middle of page) to see if it is there.  Right now this discussion is in both.  Another thing you can do is to click on My Stuff in the forum's menu bar at the top of the page.  Then you will be able to see if anyone has left you a message in Seniors Community.  If it shows messages to you, click on that number and it will take you directly to the messages written to you.

I hope this helps.

Nancy C.
Seniors Community
Investing for Growth Forum

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#13 of 19

     Posted May-31 10:34 AM   
Susan
 
From  Susan  Posts 208  Last Nov-24
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.13 Message 1558.13 replying to 1558.9 1558.9 ]    

Well, no wonder you can't concentrate! 

If you can afford about $2.00 (a little over) a meal, there are some frozen meals that are nutricious. You just pop them in the microwave (if you have one) and they're ready in four to five mins.  The nice thing about microwaves is that they turn themselves off, and you don't have to worry about anything catching on fire.  Also, there's an organization called "Meals on Wheels" that will deliver hot or frozen meals weekly  to you free of charge if you qualify.  Call your local seniors organization and ask them about it.  Good luck! 

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#14 of 19

     Posted Sep-18 10:02 PM   
nullopus000
 
From  nullopus000  Posts 1  Last Sep-18
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.14 Message 1558.14 replying to 1558.9 1558.9 ]    
//The reason I posted is, a few days earlier I left some eggs cooking on the stove and forgot I was even cooking. It was just dumb luck that I noticed the pan on the stove and remembered.//

Sometimes setting a timer reminds me to check the stove when I'm cooking; however, if the timer is not in my face (as I am apt to ignore it when it goes off), I can easily let it ring and go about doing something else.   It's worrisome, yes.
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#15 of 19

     Posted Sep-19 6:05 AM   
Nancy C, Wizop
 
From  Nancy C, Wizop  Posts 517  Last 6:05 AM
To  nullopus000      [Msg # 1558.15 Message 1558.15 replying to 1558.14 1558.14 ]    (Unread)
I set timers for everything now.  However, I too have been known to ignore them, especially if I'm working on my computer.
Nancy C.
Seniors Community
Investing for Growth Forum

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#16 of 19

     Posted Sep-19 12:07 PM   
GretchenB
 
From  GretchenB  Posts 512  Last Nov-24
To  Andrew B.      [Msg # 1558.16 Message 1558.16 replying to 1558.9 1558.9 ]    

a few days earlier I left some eggs cooking on the stove and forgot I was even cooking. It was just dumb luck that I noticed the pan on the stove and remembered.

I have done that so many times that I've stopped boiling eggs. What often reminded me was the smell of burning eggs, after the water all boiled out!

At least the microwave has a timer .. if I don't hear it, the food just gets cold! <grin>

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#17 of 19

     Posted Sep-19 6:44 PM   
Frank
 
From  Frank  Posts 147  Last Nov-24
To  Nancy C, Wizop      [Msg # 1558.17 Message 1558.17 replying to 1558.15 1558.15 ]    
>>  However, I too have been known to ignore them, especially if I'm working on my computer. <<

  There are several freeware alarm programs designed to remind you and keep you from ignoring them - I'm using one called ClocX to remind me of an appointment or something I have to do.


- Frank
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#18 of 19

     Posted Sep-19 7:35 PM   
Nancy C, Wizop
 
From  Nancy C, Wizop  Posts 517  Last 6:05 AM
To  Frank      [Msg # 1558.18 Message 1558.18 replying to 1558.17 1558.17 ]    
I used to have some kind of appointment reminder on my computer - years ago.  Now I have "pads" of post it notes on my panel of Vista Gadgets.  That works for appointments.

I use my timer for things like "check the washing machine to see if it is finished" or "check the food on the stove."

Nancy C.
Seniors Community
Investing for Growth Forum

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#19 of 19

     Posted Sep-19 9:45 PM   
Frank
 
From  Frank  Posts 147  Last Nov-24
To  Nancy C, Wizop      [Msg # 1558.19 Message 1558.19 replying to 1558.18 1558.18 ]    
>>   Now I have "pads" of post it notes on my panel of Vista Gadgets.  That works for appointments. <<

  If it works for you, fine. I used to put notes to myself on the screen or on my desk (or in an open Notepad window), but then I'd get used to them being there and ignore them. It's kind of hard to ignore a window popping up in the middle of your screen which contains a message, along with a noise (I'm currently using a siren).


- Frank
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