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| Necklace info from Daikakuji Temple |
I've visited the Kinkakuji twice. It features the Gold Pavilion and is a popular attraction in Kyoto, but it's in a different part of the city and we didn't visit this time. Guess I was having a senior moment when I substituted its name for the correct name, Daikakuji, of the temple we visited a few days ago.
I've corrected the error and you have my apologies for the mix up.
Yesterday I called an old friend to tell him we were back from our trip and to see how he was doing. He was still sputtering after his visit, of the day before, to a doctor which had resulted in a four-month prohibition on driving due to memory problems. When I asked why, he said the doctor tricked him by giving him five words to remember then doing other things for ten minutes before asking him to recall the words. He said he couldn't do it because the doctor distracted him.
Our conversation moved on to shopping and he told me he was impressed with the sales at a grocery store. I asked which one and suggested a couple names. He said neither of those were the one and asked me to name some grocery stores. When I said, "QFC" he said, "Yes, that's the one. They have some good sales now."
Senior moment or memory loss? In his case, In the recent past, I've noticed his inability to recall things, so I guess it's something more than a senior moment.
Thinking about my friend's experience caused me to reflect on my experience with slow memory both in my wife and myself. We've been noticing some forgetfulness and slow recall in each other so I thought I'd check one of my favorite internet sources, WebMD. Their article "Forgetfulness, it's not always what you think" has some interesting information: https://www.webmd.com/brain/forgetfulness-not-always-what-you-think#1
I always thought forgetfulness was a normal part of aging but the WebMD article says: "In the past, memory loss and confusion were considered a normal part of aging. However, scientists now know that most people remain both alert and able as they age, although it may take them longer to remember things."
It turns out that two types of memory loss (Alzheimer's and multi infarct dementia) are the most common in older people and are incurable, although the symptoms might be eased by certain medications.
The good news is, other forms of forgetfulness and even the two above can be helped and even postponed by healthful living. Exercise (both body and mind), healthful diet, reduced stress, limited use of alcohol and avoidance of smoking, and maintaining a social network (person to person, not just digital) all help keep our bodies and minds in good shape.
The bottom line for me is, if I want to avoid too many senior moments like the one at the top of this post, and delay onset of dementia of any kind as long as possible, I need to reduce stress, live a healthy life, eat a balanced diet and exercise my brain and body as much as reasonable. I stopped drinking alcohol two and a-half years ago and smoking in 1968 so don't have to worry about those two.
Incidentally, there is an interesting story behind my avoidance of alcohol.
As I grew older, despite exercise and good diet, my blood pressure increased and the doc prescribed pills to keep it in check. I developed GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) and the doc prescribed pills to relieve the symptoms. The PVC's (premature ventricular contractions) that I've had since I can remember became worse. I was tested and probed, fitted with a Holter Monitor, and told to put up with them since the cure was worse than the discomfort of the PVC's.
Several years ago (ten?) I began reading that one of the side effects of long term use of the reflux pill (Omeprazole) was bone loss. I had a bone density scan and found that, despite my above average exercise routine, I had osteopenia, the precursor of osteoporosis. After using calcium and vitamin D supplements for a couple years, another bone density exam showed further bone loss.
I determined to get off the Omeprazole. But how? Tried various folk remedies to no avail and finally decided to cut out alcohol to see if that made a difference. At the time I was drinking a glass or two of wine with dinner and sometimes a snifter of brandy after. So July 3, 2016, I stopped all alcohol.
Within two or three days, I noticed my blood pressure was low so cut out one of the two daily pills. BP was still low so cut out the other pill. Blood pressure has been normal since.
A few days later I noted that I didn't wake in the night with erratic heartbeats and PVC's. I still have the occasional PVC but the frequency is much reduced.
After a month of no alcohol, I decided to try again to go off Omeprazole. Reduced the dose to one every other day for a week with no ill effects, so went cold turkey. Amazed, I noted that there was no "rebound effect" or any symptoms of GERD. Haven't taken Omeprazole since.
When I talked with my primary care provider, and later with an internal medicine specialist, they were surprised but agreed that my body had become sensitized to alcohol or that I had developed some kind of allergy.
As a test, I have tried wine or sake with a meal twice since. In both cases my blood pressure zoomed up the next morning.
That was enough testing for me. I'm not saying this applies to others, just that it is an interesting example of how my body became sensitized.
I miss a glass of wine with a good meal and maybe a little brandy with coffee after, but I'll gladly give up the alcohol in return for normal blood pressure, no Omeprazole and much reduced PVC's.
Didn't mean to ramble on about my health. Maybe that's another example of a senior moment? I don't know, but I think it's important to tell people about my experience in that regard. Maybe it will help someone else find a way to improved health with less medication.
From now on I'll try to reduce the number of my senior moments by: exercising mind and body daily, working to reduce stress, eating a balanced diet, maintaining social contacts, and, in my case, foregoing that tasty glass of wine with dinner.
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