Memory loss:
What ’s normal ?
I T HAP P ENS
to a lot of us: We run into someone familiar
and blank out on that person’s name. We head to the living
room to get something, then can’t remember what we
needed. We swear we left our keys on the kitchen counter,
but they’re nowhere in sight.
If you’re middle aged or older, something else might
happen too: You may worry that your forgetfulness is
an early warning sign of a serious memory problem like
Alzheimer’s disease.
Fortunately, occasionally forgetting a name or where
you put something is usually nothing to be concerned
about. Many of us experience a mild memory loss as we
age. It’s annoying, but perfectly normal.
What isn’t normal, however, are serious memory
problems such as these, which should always be brought
to a doctor’s attention:
Your memory loss disrupts your life.
Things you had
no trouble handling previously—maybe paying bills or
planning meals—are now hard to do.
You frequently forget.
You might ask the same
questions over and over because you don’t remember the
answer, or you may repeatedly forget appointments.
You can’t remember significant things.
It’s normal to
forget the name of someone you see infrequently. It’s not
normal to forget the name of someone you love.
You’re increasingly confused.
You might get lost in
a familiar place or put something in an inappropriate
place—such as a pen in the refrigerator.
You have trouble learning new information.
You may
be unable to use a new microwave or learn a new route to
a friend’s house, for example.
MEMORY CAN COME BACK
It’s important to know that diseases like Alzheimer’s and
other types of dementia aren’t the only conditions that
can cause serious memory problems. So can many other
things, such as depression, thyroid problems, or a bad
reaction to certain medicines.
Once these conditions are treated, your memory
problem is likely to go away. Moreover, even if your
memory loss isn’t reversible, treatment might delay or
decrease your symptoms.
“That’s why it’s important to always say something to
your doctor anytime you’re concerned about your memory,”
says Edward Olson, MD, PeaceHealth Medical Group
neurologist. “Chances are, you have nothing to worry
about. But if there is a problem, treatment can help.”
Sources: American Psychological Association; National Institute on Aging;
U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Staying
sharp
Edward Olson, MD
Neurology
PeaceHealth Medical Group
Neurology
505 NE 87th Ave., Suite 460
Vancouver, WA 98664
360-514-7771
Hang on to
your memory
Try these steps to help
preserve your memory:
1. Eat smart.
A healthy diet
can nourish your brain and
might reduce your risk of a
serious memory problem.
Research shows, for example,
that a diet rich in green,
leafy vegetables and low in
saturated fat and cholesterol
might head off dementia,
including Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Move more.
Being active
helps maintain blood flow to
the brain, which may protect
against dementia.
3. Exercise your brain.
Doing something that’s
mentally challenging—
whether it’s tackling a
crossword puzzle or learning
a new language—may
stimulate brain cells.
4. Be a people person.
Spending time with
others appears to reduce
stress and protect against
serious memory problems.
Loneliness, on the other
hand, may be tied to a
heightened risk of dementia.
Sources: American Academy of Family
Physicians; U.S. Food and Drug
Administration
Living Well With Chronic Conditions
When:
Saturdays, April 5 to May 10,
10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or
Thursdays, May 1 to June 5, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Where:
Health Education Center
Info:
Free six-week workshops that meet once
a week for 2½ hours each session.
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