A distraction occurs when the limited brain power that was once devoted to remembering an item, is instead used for thought. The distraction begins as a new problem enters the mind, and is deemed more important than the thing that is about to be forgotten. Then, thinking power is devoted to the new problem. Once the new problem is solved, one of two things can happen. Either the brain goes back to the previous thought and everything is fine, or another enters and demands attention followed by another and another. After several new problems are solved (the general rule is three), the original item is officially forgotten. However, it still remains on the fringes of the subconscious, and can easily be reawakened like sore throat causing a cough if