by Mark L. Prohaska, Ph.D.
Dr. Prohaska is the director of the Neuropsychology Clinic located in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. For more information visit our website at http://www.npclinic.com.
The older I get, the more often I experience what my patients jokingly refer to as “senior moments.” I unexpectedly run into an acquaintance that I’ve known for years, and am unable to recall their name. My wife sends me to the store to pick up five items, and I come back with four. I’m in the middle of a conversation, and get stuck finding a word that I want to say. And don’t bother asking me where I laid down the checkbook last! I take some solace in having heard similar complaints from my patients over the years, and realize that this is just part of growing older. However, there is also the frightening realization that with age comes an increased risk for developing dementia. The question then is what type of age-related memory problems are considered “normal,” and what might indicate a more serious memory problem that needs medical attention?
During my years of training, I was surprised to learn that our “brain power” peaks out in our early thirties, after which at least some aspects of our thinking ability begin a long slow decline that continues throughout the life span. With regards to memory, highly practiced skills, familiar information, factual knowledge, language, and autobiographical information all endure well over the life span. Where our memory struggles, as we grow older is in our ability to formulate new memories, or our “short term” recall. So, we are more likely to forget recent experiences, new facts, or the sources of new information that we have acquire, and are also more likely to have difficulty remembering information when we need it. These difficulties in memory are part of the “normal” aging process. So, the experience of the following can generally be chalked up to having had another “senior moment” without much concern:
- Forgetting names
- Misplacing objects (keys, glasses, wallet)
- Forgetting where the car is parked at the mall
- Forgetting to buy things on the shopping list
- Not recognizing acquaintances in unfamiliar settings
Of course, there are other types of memory problems that may indicate a more serious problem. Even if this is the case, there is no need to panic. There are many reversible conditions that can be the culprit of memory problems. These include poor nutrition, dehydration, metabolic disturbances (such as poorly controlled diabetes), endocrine disorders (such as hypothyroidism), sleep disorders, depression, drug side effects, and other medical conditions. Even if it is determined that early Alzheimer’s disease appears to be the culprit, there are new medications that can help - particularly if the disorder is detected early. The more serious type of memory problems that should be further evaluated include:
- Getting lost while driving in familiar surroundings
- Completely forgetting appointments
- Repeating the same thing in conversation
- Having periods of disorientation (not knowing the time or where one is)
- Difficulty managing the checkbook or paying bills
- Personality change (either sudden or gradual)
- Frequently having difficulty thinking of the word to say or naming objects
- Experiencing a sudden change in musical or artistic ability
- Memory problems that are interfering with your conducting your normal routine.
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