As we get older, it’s normal to forget little things. Dates, events, and old details might slip our minds.
But when should we worry? When does forgetting become a problem?
First, we should understand something. Dementia, which is severe memory loss, is not a usual part of getting older. It’s a sickness, and it has more signs than just forgetting. That’s according to the National Institute on Aging.
Now let’s talk about our brains. As we grow older, our brains change. Parts of the brain get smaller.
The frontal lobe and the hippocampus are two parts that shrink. This is what the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health tells us.
What Changes with Aging?
When the brain shrinks, we might start having trouble with our memory. Medical News Today tells us what this can look like. Maybe you find it hard to learn new things.
Perhaps you can’t do many things at once. You might forget names or numbers, or have trouble remembering when you have plans.
Sometimes you forget something but remember it later. This is all part of a normal, aging brain.
But some people get scared. They worry that their memory problems mean they have dementia. So, what does dementia look like?
Memory Loss and Dementia
If you have dementia, your memory loss often makes daily life hard. You can’t remember things you need to know. You might have trouble doing tasks.
You might get confused about where you are or what time it is. Your mood might change, or you might act differently.
You might not want to be around people. You might make poor choices. Talking might be hard. Solving problems can be difficult. This is what the Alzheimer’s Association tells us.
When to See a Doctor
The National Institute on Aging says to see a doctor if you:
- Keep asking the same questions.
- Get lost in places you know.
- Have trouble following recipes or directions.
- Get more confused about places, people, and time.
- Don’t take care of your hygiene or health.
Wrapping Up
Forgetting a few things once in a while is not a problem. But if you keep forgetting things every day, then you might want to talk to your doctor.
Your healthcare provider can help you understand what’s going on and what you should do next.
It’s normal to worry about our health as we get older. It’s important to know what’s normal and what’s not. That way, we can get help when we need it and stay healthy for as long as possible.
If you care about brain health, please read studies about Vitamin D deficiency linked to Alzheimer’s, and vascular dementia, and Oral cannabis extract may help reduce Alzheimer’s symptoms.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies about Vitamin B9 deficiency linked to higher dementia risk, and results showing flavonoid-rich foods could improve survival in Parkinson’s disease.
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