Who has not forgotten a name, occasionally misplaced things, or stumbled over the right word during a conversation? However, with growing awareness about dementia, these occasional memory lapses often leave people wondering if it could be an early sign of dementia.
As people get older, you might notice that it takes a little longer to remember things than it once did, but most of the time, there is no cause for concern. This occasional forgetfulness is called age-associated memory impairment and is a normal part of aging. Although it may feel frustrating, it does not mean you have dementia.
Although many people confuse normal aging with dementia, the two are very different. Dementia often begins with mild memory loss but progressively worsens over time. In normal age-related memory changes, forgetfulness tends to be occasional and typically involves memories from the more distant past. In contrast, people with dementia frequently struggle with recent events, such as forgetting a conversation they had earlier that day or not recognizing someone they just met.
Dementia is not just about memory loss. It also brings confusion, difficulty managing everyday tasks, trouble with language and understanding, and noticeable changes in behavior. Over time, these challenges interfere with a person’s ability to perform daily activities and can significantly affect their independence.
However, it is important to remember that noticing symptoms like memory loss or confusion is not enough to diagnose dementia. Only a healthcare professional can make that diagnosis after a thorough evaluation. This typically involves medical history, cognitive tests, physical exams, and sometimes brain imaging to rule out other possible causes.
Memory issues can also stem from a variety of other causes, including head injuries like concussions, brain tumors or infections, thyroid or organ problems, medication side effects, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, substance misuse, sleep disturbances, or even deficiencies in key nutrients such as vitamin B12 and poor nutrition.
When to see a doctor?
If memory problems start interfering with daily life, it is important to see a doctor. Warning signs include repeating the same questions over and over, getting lost in familiar places, or struggling to manage personal care.
In some cases, older adults may be diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a condition where memory or thinking problems are more noticeable than in others their age. However, unlike dementia, people with MCI can usually manage their daily activities independently, but it can sometimes be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease.
