Many people are concerned about becoming forgetful. They mostly think forgetfulness is the initial sign of Alzheimer’s disease. But not all people having memory loss have Alzheimer’s disease. Other causes of memory issue include aging, emotion issues, medical issues, mild cognitive impairment or another type of dementia.
Age-Related Changes In Memory
Memory loss is normal process while aging. As you get older, changes start occurring in every body part including the brain. Thereby, some people may notice that it takes time to learn new things and they don’t remember details as well as or they lose things like their glasses. These are signs of mild forgetfulness, not serious memory issue like Alzheimer disease.
Normal Aging vs Alzheimer’s
|
Normal Aging |
Alzheimer |
| Forgetting things as the time passes | Losing things usually and being unable to search them |
| Misplacing a monthly pay | Issues in managing monthly charges |
| Making a poor decision occasionally | Making bad decisions and judgments many times |
| Sometimes forgetting about words | Face issues while communicating |
| Forgetting about the present day and remembering it afterward | Losing date or time of year |
Memory Loss Linked To Medical Conditions
Some medical conditions can result in critical memory issues. These problems should always go away once an individual starts taking treatment. Check out some of the conditions that can cause amnesia.
- Chronic alcoholism
- Tumors, infections or blood clots in the brain
- Medication negative effects
- Head injuries like as a shock of an accident or fall
- Some thyroid, liver or kidney diseases
- Not eating adequate healthy foods, or taking too few minerals and vitamins (like Vit B12)
Memory Loss Related To Emotional Problems
Emotional issues like stress, depression or anxiety, a make an individual more forgetful and can be taken wrong for dementia. For example, someone who has recently retired or the one who is mourning her/his spouse, friend or relative may feel lonely, unhappy and concerned, or even bored. Dealing with these changes may result in some people becoming forgetful or confused.
Memory loss and confusion resulted by emotions are generally for a shorter period and diminish when the feelings fade. Emotional issues can be relieved by supportive family and friends but if these feelings last permanently, it essential to take help from a doctor or counselor. Treatment may include medication, counseling or both.
When you learn new things and become active, it also helps a person to feel better and boost his or her memory.
[expand title = “References”]
Age-related memory loss. URL link. Accessed November 2017.
Amnesia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. URL link. Accessed November 2017.
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