What’s The Difference Between Normal and Abnormal Memory Loss?

As we age, many of us worry about being more forgetful, not remembering where we put things, struggling for words, and eventually requiring the help of a memory care facility. But mild forgetfulness in our 40s, 50s, 60s, and beyond isn’t usually Alzheimer’s or dementia. 

However, some signs and symptoms may indicate cognitive decline beyond normal aging, as highlighted below.

Differences Between Forgetfulness And Alzheimer’s Disease

It’s crucial to know the difference between normal forgetfulness as we age and something more serious. Here are some simple examples: 

• Did you make a poor decision that led to a car accident? That’s okay. But if you find that you are regularly making bad calls that result in fender benders or worse, you may want to investigate the matter with your doctor. 
• Miss paying your credit card bill and got slapped with a $30 late fee? Hey, that happens! But if you can no longer keep track of your monthly bills and pay them on time, you should talk to your healthcare provider. 
• Can’t remember a word you want to use in a conversation? So annoying, but it’s not dementia. But if you get to a place where you have so much trouble coming up with words that you cannot carry a conversation, please talk to your physician. 
• Lose your keys once in a while? Who doesn’t? However, if you misplace your phone, wallet, keys, and other essentials constantly, there could be a more serious issue. 

Other Causes Of Memory Loss

Perhaps you’ve noticed that your memory has gone down the tubes lately. Of course, you should talk to your doctor, but remember that things other than dementia and Alzheimer’s can cause temporary memory problems. The Mayo Clinic reports that many medical issues can lead to severe memory loss, but they’re treatable. Here are some examples: 

• Medications: Some pain medications can cause temporary cognitive issues. 
• Blow to the head. If while exercising, you fall and hit your head, your memory could go foggy for a day or two, but it’s probably temporary. Definitely get to the doctor to make sure you aren’t seriously hurt. 
• Emotional issues: Severe mental trauma can wreak havoc on your memory. For instance, if you lose your mother or father, the emotional trauma can make you highly forgetful. That’s why it’s probably best when going through such an emotional experience to let a friend or loved one handle the driving and other complex tasks for a week or so. 
• Alcohol: If you are addicted to alcohol, you need help. One of the problems is it can cause severe mental decline. 
• Brain disease: If you have an infection or tumor in your brain, you could have severe memory problems. 

More Signs Of Cognitive Decline

If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, please talk to your medical provider. The sooner you get help, the more treatment options you have: 

Withdrawing from others

 If someone you love withdraws from friends and family, you may wonder what you did to offend them. But it’s common for people with early Alzheimer’s to have trouble speaking or following conversations. As a result, they may be embarrassed and unable to understand what’s happening to them. 

Personality changes

If you notice your loved one having radical changes in mood and personality, it can be a sign of cognitive issues. For example, a person who was usually calm and rational suddenly becomes easily enraged. Anger is a common emotion in Alzheimer’s patients as they sense something happening to them. 

Difficulty With Visuals

A person with Alzheimer’s may begin to have difficulty with reading or understanding signs. For example, a stop sign may be a meaningless jumble of letters and color to a person in the early stages of the disease. That’s why anyone suspected of having cognitive decline should not be allowed to drive immediately. 

Cannot Retrace Their Steps

If your loved one loses something but cannot retrace steps that they took only a few minutes ago, you should take them to their doctor right away. 

It’s essential to know the difference between average memory loss and serious cognitive decline. That way, you can get people who are affected by dementia the help they need.