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Is Your Memory Getting Worse? 8 Reasons That Can Happen, According to Doctors

Yellow stickies on your computer monitor. Alerts in your calendar. A checklist reading “Keys? Charger? Reusable grocery bags? Small child?” on the inside of your door so you can’t miss it as you rush out for the day.

Thank the goddess for those little tricks that prompt us to do, bring, buy, show up at, or otherwise attend to one of the hundreds of items on our daily lists. Life is complicated and if you’re also responsible for kids or aging parents, you’re gonna need every ding, note, and piece of string tied around your finger to keep it all straight.

And even with all that, it’s normal space on some stuff. “I’ve had plenty of 30-year-old women say they have dementia, when really they’re 30-year-old moms with three kids and a full-time job,” says Stephanie Faubion, M.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Center for Women’s Health and medical director of The North American Menopause Society.

Dr. Faubion likens our brains to a browser with too many tabs open—the computer is simply slower to respond.

Too-busy people also tend to try and multitask, which actually isn’t a thing, she says.

“Multitasking is a myth—you have to do what you’re doing and then move on to the next thing.” If you don’t remember agreeing to drive your daughter to meet her squad at Starbucks, for example, which she asked while you were cooking and replying to a text, it has nothing do with memory. “You’re basically not concentrating—your attention is just not there.”

Still, it can be a little alarming the first time you wander to the fridge, open it, and forget what you were there for. You might jump to worst-case scenarios, like that you’re on the fast track to Alzheimer’s Disease.

Whether or not your memory issues are cause for concern starts with your age. “If it’s a midlife woman going through menopause, it’s almost never true dementia. If I’m seeing a 75-year-old who is having memory concerns, that’s more worrisome to me,” says Dr. Faubion.

That’s because the risk of dementia and other conditions that can contribute to memory loss increases as you get older, says neurologist Ronald Petersen, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center and the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging.

“Age itself doesn’t determine anything, but it does kind of set the stage,” he says. A little falling off on things like recall of names after around age 50 is normal, but if it’s anything more than that, “we do want to look at whatever else is going on in your life,” says Dr. Petersen.

Here are some of the things that could be causing your memory glitches—and bear in mind that there may be several things going on, even if one is dominant, says Dr. Petersen:

1. You are stressed or anxious.

Hello! That would be the woman doing 700 things at the same time, or someone who has a lot of long-term external pressures, such as financial trouble or a loved one who’s not well. “When you have too many balls in the air or are burning the candle at both ends, cortisol levels run high,” says Dr. Petersen. This stress hormone that keeps you revved and ready also affects the hippocampus and other parts of the brain that are involved in memory. Similarly, anxiety—persistent worry about something that may or may not happen in the future—feels like stress to your body, and so has the same effect on your brain. “When your anxiety level is high, you can’t focus on anything and your attention is going to be impaired—it’s going to feel like you have a memory disorder because you can’t concentrate on anything,” says Dr. Faubion.

2. You’re feeling depressed.

The jury is out as to whether depression is a cause of memory loss or a symptom of it, but either way, research shows a link between depression and cognitive impairments, including memory issues. Even people who only have a symptom or two can have issues: One study that looked at people who were not clinically depressed found that the more symptoms of depression they had, the more memory issues they reported. And struggling with depression from a young age, another study found, is associated with poorer memory in midlife. And wouldn’t you know it? Certain older antidepressants are also associated with memory loss. Fortunately, newer medications in the SSRI category “have less of a deleterious effect on memory,” says Dr. Petersen.

3. You’re a woman in or around menopause

Among the many joys of perimenopause (the period of time leading up to menopause) and the transition itself may be a small but significant cognitive impairment, according to research, that may be independent of age. Theories abound, but “the bottom line is that we don’t really know exactly why this happens,” says Dr. Faubion.

The sorta kinda good news? Research has suggested that things go back to pre-menopause levels once you’re through the ups and downs of the transition. That said, this is far from certain, especially if you have other factors, such as poverty or HIV. “Women, especially women of color, with multiple risk factors may be more vulnerable to longer-lasting memory problems,” says Dr. Faubion. “Some of the women who were of highest risk in terms of socio-cultural stressors, with and without HIV, didn’t look better on the other side of menopause,” she says.

What’s more, perimenopause often brings on mood changes, such as anxiety and depression, and sleep problems, sometimes caused by symptoms like hot flashes. These can all affect memory. Which brings us to…

4. You’re not sleeping well or enough

Whatever the reason you’re not getting enough good quality sleep, poor shuteye can affect your memory in a big way, says Dr. Petersen. During the deeper stages of sleep, certain proteins are cleared out of the brain, says he says. “But if you never get to the stages of sleep when these housekeeping activities are thought to be taking place, perhaps toxic substances can build up in the brain,” Dr. says, and affect the way these nerves work. Talk to your doctor about possible sleep disorders such as restless leg syndrome or sleep apnea for which you can be treated—improving sleep can boost your alertness throughout the day, which helps memory, says Dr. Petersen.

5. Maybe your medications are fogging your mind

Certain medications are known to affect memory. And in the nothing-is-simple department, some of these meds are ones you’d take to help with anxiety, depression, disrupted sleep, or other problems that may keep you up at night—conditions that if left untreated can contribute to memory issues. Benzodiazepines (often taken for anxiety) are known to affect memory, as are a class of drugs called “anticholinergics,” which show up in treatments for stress urinary incontinence, over-the-counter sleep aids, and allergy treatments like Benadryl. Tricyclic antidepressants and certain opioids also deal your memory a blow.

6. You could be drinking or partying too much

Abusing alcohol or any substance (such as opioids) that can slow your central nervous system may affect memory as well, says Dr. Petersen. “I don’t want to overstate this, but clearly if someone is aging and vulnerable, two or three cocktails a night probably will catch up with you,” he says. Scientists have known for years that there is evidence of brain shrinkage in people with alcohol use disorder.

7. Perhaps you have a thyroid issue

Hypothyroidism (which is when your thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone) not only causes forgetfulness and brain fog, but research has shown that the condition can result in shrinkage of the hippocampus, an area of the brain involved with both long and short term memory. And hyperthyroidism (the gland cranks out too much thyroid hormone) can interfere with cognitive function, and a review of the literature has found that “studies with a larger sample size have shown statistically significant evidence of hyperthyroidism increasing the risk of dementia,” in older patients. “Thyroid hormones are so important for the energy metabolism of individual cells,” including those in the brain, says Dr Petersen. similarly in the brain.

One of the known treatable causes of dementia is a vitamin B12 deficiency, says Dr. Faubion, found in foods like salmon, liver and milk. The vitamin supports nerve health, so “we may check for vitamin B12 deficiency after the age 50 to make sure people are not deficient,” she adds. That said, taking B12 pills (or another B vitamin, folate, a deficiency of which may also be associated with cognitive impairment) does not help to improve memory unless you’re deficient, says Dr. Petersen, which means taking extra B12 or folate isn’t going to make you sharper.

When to see a doctor about memory loss

It’s wise to know the signs that something more serious is going on, because the sooner you seek treatment, the better.

Here’s when Drs. Petersen and Faubion suggest making an appointment.

  • If memory problems bother you. “That warrants a conversation with your physician,” says Dr. Petersen, if only to make you feel better about normal aging.
  • If you’re forgetting routine things, such as which medications you take, or things that you want to do, like a standing girls’ get-together. “It happens every so often, but if it happens tonight and then a week from now and then three weeks from now,” it’s something to look at.
  • If you tell the same story over and over in a short span of time. “I’m talking about the same conversation in a loop in one sitting,” says Dr. Faubion, rather than your aunt who, every time you see her, gleefully recounts how you yelled at the tree when you were a little girl because it wouldn’t move out of the way. If, once reminded, the person remembers telling you and doesn’t do it again, and the repetition is not getting more frequent, it’s probably fine.
  • If the memory loss comes on suddenly or after a medical procedure. “One common thing I hear is, ‘Dad was fine, until he had his prostate surgery,’” says Dr. Petersen. Sometimes everything goes well and the person is fully recovered from an illness or procedure, but perhaps a few months later his family notices memory slippage. “That to me is a notable event. It could be that when the person’s system was stressed, it may have unmasked something that was likely developing.”
  • If those around you are noticing your slips. “Most of the time it’s not the patient who notices, it’s the family, saying things like, ‘Mom isn’t right anymore,’” says Dr. Faubion. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have dementia, adds Dr. Petersen, but that it is time to get yourself evaluated.

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Entertainment

Kunle Afolayan’s Mother Passes On: A Tribute to a Pillar of Strength

The Nigerian film industry has been thrown into mourning as Nollywood actor and director, Kunle Afolayan, loses his mother.

According to reports, Kunle Afolayan’s mother, Mrs. Afolayan, passed away on at the age of 81. The cause of her death is yet to be disclosed.

Kunle Afolayan took to his social media page to announce the passing of his mother, saying: “My dearest mother, I will miss you so much. You were my rock, my confidante, and my best friend. I will never forget the sacrifices you made for me and the love you showed me. Rest in peace, mama.”

The news of Kunle Afolayan’s mother’s passing has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian film industry, with many of his colleagues and fans taking to social media to express their condolences.

“Kunle, my brother, I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of your mother,” wrote actor, Ramsey Nouah. “May she rest in peace and may God give you the strength to bear the loss.”

Kunle Afolayan’s mother was a pillar of strength and support to him throughout his career, and her passing will be deeply felt by him and his family.

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Why Bobrisky was re-arrested in Lagos – EFCC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has given reasons for re-arresting controversial crossdresser Idris Olanrewaju Okuneye, known as Bobrisky.

Speaking in a telephone conversation on Friday morning, the EFCC spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, said the self-styled ‘Mummy of Lagos’ was arrested because he refused to honour several invitations sent to him.

Oyewale noted that the crossdresser was arrested in connection with the allegation of bribery against him.

“We arrested him last night and we took him to Abuja because our team investigators are in Abuja,” the EFCC spokesman said.

He continued: “He was trying to run away from mentioning those he said collected bribes from him. We sent him an invitation, but he refused to honour our invitation, and he was trying to leave the country.

“This was why we arrested him. We want him to come and mention the names of the officials involved in the bribery, but he has not shown up.”

The Guardian gathered Friday afternoon that Bobrisky has been flown to Abuja to answer questions relating to allegations of bribery and corruption.

Bobrisky was stopped and removed from an Amsterdam-bound KLM flight at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and detained by immigration officers late Thursday night while attempting to leave the country for London, the United Kingdom.

The popular crossdresser posted on his Instagram page to alert followers about the arrest, stating that he had sustained injuries during an altercation with the immigration officers.

Bobrisky alleged that the EFCC was responsible for his detention.

He wrote, “Nigerians help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”

Bobrisky had, in a voice note shared by a controversial social critic, Martins Otse (aka VeryDarkMan) allegedly said he bribed EFCC officers with N15 million to drop money laundering charges against him.

Although the EFCC denied the allegations, it set up a committee to investigate the matter.

At a press briefing on Thursday, the Director of Public Affairs, Wilson Uwajaren, had hinted that Bobrisky could face a fresh charge from the commission if the allegations against the EFCC were false.

Uwujaren stated that one could be charged for giving false information to the EFCC, let alone making false allegations against the commission.

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Spooky Movies to Watch This Weekend (2020-2024)

As the weekend approaches, many of us are looking for a way to get into the spooky spirit. One of the best ways to do this is by watching a scary movie. Here are some spooky movies from 2020 to 2024 that are perfect for watching this weekend:

2020 Spooky Movies

  1. The Invisible Man (2020): This movie is a modern retelling of the classic H.G. Wells novel, and it follows a woman who escapes from an abusive relationship, only to be haunted by her ex-boyfriend, who has become invisible.
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  2. The Lodge (2020): This movie follows a family who becomes trapped in a remote cabin with a sinister presence.
  3. Antebellum (2020): This movie follows a detective who must solve a series of murders that are connected to a mysterious figure from the past.

2021 Spooky Movies

  1. Candyman (2021): This movie is a sequel to the 1992 classic, and it follows a group of friends who are haunted by the vengeful spirit of Candyman.
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  3. Those Who Wish Me Dead (2021): This movie follows a smokejumper who must protect a young boy from a pair of assassins in the wilderness.
  4. The Forever Purge (2021): This movie is the fifth installment in the Purge franchise, and it follows a group of people who must survive a night of chaos and violence.

2022 Spooky Movies

  1. Scream (2022): This movie is a reboot of the classic franchise, and it follows a group of friends who are being stalked by a masked killer.
  2. The Black Phone (2022): This movie follows a young boy who is kidnapped by a serial killer and must use a mysterious phone to escape.
  3. Barbarian (2022): This movie follows a woman who books a rental home, only to discover that it is already occupied by a strange man.
  4. Smile (2022): This movie follows a woman who is haunted by a mysterious smile that seems to be spreading to those around her.

2023 Spooky Movies

  1. M3GAN (2023): This movie follows a robotic doll that becomes self-aware and starts to wreak havoc on its owner’s life.
  2. The Pope’s Exorcist (2023): This movie follows a priest who is tasked with performing an exorcism on a young boy.
  3. The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023): This movie is a horror film based on the true story of the Demeter, a ship that was said to be haunted by vampires.
  4. Insidious: The Red Door (2023): This movie is the fifth installment in the Insidious franchise, and it follows a family who must navigate a haunted house.

2024 Spooky Movies

  1. The Exorcist: Believer (2024): This movie is a sequel to the 1973 classic, and it follows a group of people who are haunted by a demonic presence.
  2. The Conjuring 4 (2024): This movie is the fourth installment in the Conjuring franchise, and it follows a pair of paranormal investigators who must solve a series of mysterious events.
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  4. Hellraiser: Inferno (2024): This movie is a reboot of the Hellraiser franchise, and it follows a group of people who are haunted by the vengeful spirit of Pinhead.

These are just a few of the many spooky movies that you can watch this weekend. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic horror film or a modern thriller, there’s something on this list for everyone.

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Banky W confirms arrival of second child

Nigerian singer, Bankole Wellington, aka Banky W, and his actress wife, Adesua Etomi, have announced the arrival of their second child, a baby boy.

Banky W shared the news on Instagram, releasing a video clip that showed a glimpse of his dedication to family life since the new addition.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBv1RR3OgnE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Reflecting on his family commitment, he said, “But more importantly than I am a husband and a father. We just had our second child, who is an amazing young boy.”

Banky W and Adesua married in South Africa in November 2017.

They welcomed their first child, Hazaiah Olusegun Wellington, in 2021.

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US rapper Young Thug freed after guilty plea in street gang case

Rapper Young Thug was released from jail Thursday after pleading guilty to involvement in a criminal gang as well as drug and firearms charges, an abrupt twist to the longest trial in the history of the southern US state of Georgia.

The 33-year-old Atlanta artist, born Jeffery Lamar Williams, was one of 28 alleged street gang members indicted in May 2022 on racketeering and other charges.

Prosecutors accused Young Thug of being the leader of YSL, or Young Slime Life, a part of the Bloods gang, and charged him with violating state racketeering laws.

The underlying offenses in the racketeering indictment included murder, assault, carjacking, drug dealing and theft.

The Grammy-winning rapper pleaded no contest to racketeering charges and no contest to being a leader of a criminal street gang, but guilty to six other counts including firearms and drug charges.

The New York Times reported he was sentenced to time served and 15 years of probation by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Paige Reese Whitaker, who replaced a previous judge who presided over the protracted trial.

Online Fulton County jail records showed Young Thug was released Thursday in a listing under his birth name. The disposition of the charges were listed as “time served” or “probation” on the database listing.

Jury selection in the case began in January 2023 but opening arguments were not held until November 27 of that year.

During opening arguments, prosecutors said Young Thug’s record label, YSL, was a front for a crime ring and he was the leader.

“The evidence will show that YSL checks all of the boxes for being a criminal street gang,” Fulton County prosecutor Adriane Love said.

Love read verses from Young Thug’s track “Take It To Trial,” saying the lyrics the prosecution had identified had “an uncanny similarity to very true, and very real, and quite specific events.”

“We didn’t chase the lyrics to solve the murder, we chased the murder and found the lyrics,” she said.

The defense insisted that YSL stands for Young Stoner Life Records, a hip-hop label that Young Thug founded in 2016 and which, they say, amounts to a vague association of artists, not a gang.

Defense attorneys had sought to exclude lyrics from evidence, saying that “rap is the only fictional art form treated this way.”

A rap vanguard essential to the Atlanta scene, Young Thug is one of contemporary hip-hop’s most famous and most idiosyncratic figures.

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Although Kosoko did not disclose the details surrounding Agbako’s death, he paid tribute with a simple and poignant message: “Good night ooo, Baba Charles. a.k.a Agbako, 102 years, ba wasa ba. R I P,” indicating the actor’s remarkable longevity and vibrant spirit.Born on February 19, 1923, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Agbako had a fascinating journey before finding his calling in acting. He initially worked as a mechanic and even dabbled in amateur boxing, displaying his multi-talented nature. In 1953, he took a decisive step towards acting, beginning his career with a drama group at the Apostolic Church in Mushin, Lagos State.

This was a turning point, as he soon became a beloved figure in Nigerian theater and, later, in Yoruba cinema.

Agbako’s impact on the film industry is legendary, particularly in the Yoruba-speaking regions, where his powerful performances captivated audiences.

Over the years, he starred in many popular films that cemented his status as a household name, including ‘Taxi Driver,’ ‘Jagun,’ ‘Amin Orun,’ ‘Aiye,’ ‘Jayesinmi,’ ‘Soworo Ide,’ and ‘Igbo Dudu.’ Each role showcased his versatility and skill, earning him a devoted fan base and respect from colleagues and viewers alike.

His career spanned over four decades, highlighting not only his enduring passion for acting but also his ability to adapt to the changing landscape of the film industry.

Known for his memorable performances and unique style, Agbako leaves behind an indelible mark on Nollywood and will be fondly remembered as one of the pioneers of Yoruba cinema.

His passing at the age of 102 is a reminder of a life well-lived and a career that inspired countless others.

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