【英语时差8,16】可逆性痴呆

 Dementia is a scary word. So is senile. Both words conjure¹ up images of being helpless² in old age, of losing your memories. Of losing yourself. And the worst thing about losing your mind is that once it's gone, it's gone. You're never the same. Except when that's not the case. In recent years, doctors and scientists have seen more and more cases where memory loss isn't just a natural consequence of aging. Sometimes it's caused by other things, like medication. The wrong combination³ of medicine can cause confusion⁴ and forgetfulness. So can doses that are too high or too low. And stress is also a factor. Being stressed out can shrink⁵ the hippocampus--a part of the brain that helps form and hold onto memories. So how do you know if an elderly parent is suffering from dementia, or if it's a problem with meds or stress? First, find out what medication they're taking and learn about possible side effects. And try to find out what's going on in their lives that might be stressful. And, of course, talk with their doctor to see about trying a new medication or changing doses. Because the good news is that if medicine or stress is to blame for memory problems, making a change could solve the problem and help your parent be themselves again.

1 conjure   

v.恳求，祈求；变魔术，变戏法

参考例句：

• I conjure you not to betray me.我恳求你不要背弃我。
• I can't simply conjure up the money out of thin air.我是不能像变魔术似的把钱变来。

2 helpless   

adj.无助的，无依无靠的；不能自力的

参考例句：

• The other team was helpless and we had a real field day.对方队很弱，我们轻易取胜。
• They felt helpless to do anything about it.他们对这事感到无能为力。

3 combination   

n.组合，合并，联合；

参考例句：

• He carried on the business in combination with his friends.他与朋友们合伙做生意。
• The materials can be used singly or in combination.这些材料可以单独使用也可以混合用。

4 confusion   

n.困惑，迷乱，混淆，混乱，骚乱

参考例句：

• His answers to my questions have only added to my confusion.他对我的问题的回答只是使我更加困惑不解。
• His unexpected arrival threw us into total confusion.他的突然来访使我们完全不知所措。

5 shrink   

n.收缩，萎缩；vi.收缩，退缩，萎缩；vt.使收缩

参考例句：

• Washing wool in hot water will shrink it.在热水中洗毛织品会使其缩水。
• This cloth won't shrink when it's washed.这种布下水不缩。