The fear of losing one’s memory is a major concern for many people. Many people attribute lapses in memory as an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease. But Alzheimer’s disease is not the only cause of memory loss. Aging, medical illnesses, emotional issues, mild cognitive impairment, and various forms of dementia can also play a role in the deterioration of one’s memory.
Memory Decline as We Age
As one age, forgetfulness may develop naturally. Aging brings about changes throughout the body, including the brain. Because of this, some people may find that they have a harder time picking up new skills, forget things more often, or misplace essentials like their glasses. Symptoms like these are more indicative of general forgetfulness than a more serious memory disorder like Alzheimer’s.
The Differences: Normal Forgetfulness
- Normal aging.
- Poor decisions occasionally.
- Having a missed monthly payment.
- Neglecting to note the date and then recalling it later.
- Having trouble deciding on the right word.
- Misplacing objects once in a while.
The Difference: Alzheimer’s Disease
- Bad decision-making skills are frequently seen.
- Paying the monthly bills has become a problem.
- Having trouble keeping track of time or date.
- Having difficulty carrying on a conversation.
- A chronic case of losing things and not being able to find them.
- Physical impairments of memory due to illness.
Having trouble remembering things might be a major medical complication. After receiving treatment, these issues ought to vanish. Some medical issues that can affect memory are:
- Brain conditions such as tumors, clots of blood, or infections.
- Some conditions affect the thyroid, kidneys, and liver.
- Misuse of alcoholic beverages.
- Concussion or other head injury sustained in a fall or other accident.
- Adverse reactions to medication.
- A deficiency in a person’s vitamin and mineral stores may be the result of not consuming enough healthful foods (like vitamin B12)
These are serious medical issues that need to be treated immediately by a doctor.
Memory Loss Connected to Mental Health Issues
Mental health issues including stress, worry, or depression can cause memory loss that masquerades as dementia in some people. A person may experience negative emotions such as sadness, loneliness, worry, or boredom as a result of life changes such as retirement or the loss of a spouse, relative, or friend. Some people struggle with confusion and forgetfulness as they attempt to adjust to these changes. Emotional fuzziness and memory loss are transitory phenomena that clear up as soon as the underlying feelings subside. Friends and family can assist when you’re feeling down, but if your emotions haven’t lifted in more than two weeks, you should see a professional. Counseling, medication, or both may be used in treatment. An individual’s mood and memory can both benefit from engaging in physical activity and acquiring new knowledge. However, there may be some overlap in symptoms between age-related memory loss and dementia, which are two quite different illnesses. Nonetheless, ordinary forgetfulness is typically brought on by a loss of concentration and never develops into something catastrophic. However, dementia deteriorates over time. Make a trip to the doctor if you have any doubts about the nature of your symptoms.
