As you age into your golden years, it’s common to worry about your memory and thinking abilities. Forgetting where you parked your car and losing objects might make you wonder if this is a sign of Alzheimer’s. Being forgetful is not necessarily a sign of Alzheimer’s. The brain is a complicated organ and there are many causes of memory problems.
Read on to get a better picture on what is normal forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s disease.
Memory Loss Is A Normal Part of Aging
As you age, changes occur to your body. You are not as agile as you used to be. Likewise, your brain could function differently. You might take a little longer to learn new things and don’t remember details as well as you did before. Occasionally, you’d lose a thing a two because you forgot where you placed them. You have trouble recalling details like the name of someone you met recently, only to have the answer come to you later. Signs like these are considered mild forgetfulness that tends to occur with aging. Given more time, it’s likely that you can recall the things you couldn’t remember earlier.
To help your mind stay active, try picking up a new skill or participate in wellness activities for the elderly. Physical activities help to keep both your mind and body in shape.
You Are Facing Emotional Problems
Dealing with different life issues can lead to anxiety and stress. For example, facing the loss of loved ones can be a painful experience. You might face stress and anxiety when dealing with loss, causing you to break down. Emotional problems like these can affect your ability to think clearly or lead to poor memory. However, this is usually temporary and will fade along with your emotions.
Remember, you don’t have to deal with emotional issues alone. Don’t be afraid to reach out to friends and family for a helping hand. Their support can help you get through this difficult period.
Memory Loss Can Be Due to Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions can lead to memory problems, including:
- Overconsumption of alcohol
- Side effects from medication
- Lack of nutrients
- Head injuries
If you face any of these problems, seek medical attention if you haven’t. Once your medical issues are treated, your memory problems should fade away too.
Time to Consult A Doctor
Forgetfulness isn’t necessarily a sign of more serious diseases like Alzheimer’s. However, you should consider seeking medical help if you constantly experience the following:
- Forgetting how to drive
- Have difficulty starting a conversation
- Getting lost in a familiar place
- Misplace things very often and have trouble finding them back
- Forgetting to perform daily routines like taking a bath
When you are in doubt, always get advice from a doctor. They can help you diagnose the cause of your problem and find out what’s the best treatment plan for you. Knowing early can give you time to make future plans for yourself or discuss with your family to arrange for memory care if they are unable to take care of you at home.
