At some point, most older adults experience “senior moments.” You misplace your phone or keys, lose your train of thought during a conversation, forget directions or names minutes after being told, or walk across a room and don't know why.
Aging and the brain
People often notice memory loss of their 50s or 60s. This occurs when age-related chemical and structural changes begin in areas of the brain dedicated to memory, comparable to the hippocampus and frontal lobes.
These areas of the brain begin to shrink, often related to narrowing of the small arteries that offer oxygen and nutrients. “These changes can make learning and recalling new and existing information a bit more difficult,” says Brody Magad.
Yet age isn't at all times accountable. Your doctor can allow you to determine if there are other problems causing your memory loss. Here are some possibilities:
Depression, anxiety and stress. According to Brody Magid, stress can affect the brain's ability to focus, process and access information. Chronic stress and anxiety can flood the brain with the stress hormone cortisol, which over time can affect brain areas chargeable for storing and recalling information. “Depression, stress, and anxiety can also cause negative and distracting thoughts that prevent people from focusing and being present, which can contribute to memory problems,” says Brody Magid.
Treatment Brain fog is usually a common side effect of some medications. “If you're taking a new medication, either prescription or over-the-counter, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it's affecting your cognition,” says Brody Magud.
to sleep Research has linked declines in brain function to sleep problems, comparable to sleeping lower than the beneficial seven to eight hours an evening, broken sleep, and sleep disorders comparable to insomnia and sleep apnea.
Mind tricks.While most memory lapses are normal, you may take steps to administer and improve your current brainpower. Here are some memory obstacles people face and ways to beat them. Absence This happens if you find yourself overworked or distracted. When faced with multiple tasks, make an inventory, prioritize them, and concentrate on separately before moving on to the following. Setting routines and reminders may also help. For example, create a memory table by your front door or within the bedroom where you retain essential items, comparable to your phone, medicine, keys and glasses. Blocking. A standard example of blocking is remembering and recalling names. When you meet someone, attempt to relate the person to something that makes the name memorable, comparable to their hobby, work, background or spouse. Another way is to associate the person with someone with the identical or similar name, comparable to a relative, celebrity, or movie character. temporary Alteration is the loss over time of certain memories comparable to facts and events. To help retain specific memories, keep information lively in your memory; For example, share it in conversations each time possible, record it for future reference, and review related photos. |
When should the check be done?
If the memory loss becomes more frequent or significantly interferes along with your each day life or safety, it is best to get checked out, says Brody Magid.
When talking to your doctor, provide as much detailed information as possible about your memory problems.
For example, were you distracted since you were anxious about something or juggling an excessive amount of directly? Does your memory heal immediately, or does it take time in your brain to “kick in”? Is there a pattern to your memory loss?
“All of this background information can help your doctor determine if lifestyle factors or medical issues may be at play and need to be addressed, or if you need a memory clinic. I need a regular inspection,” says Brody Magid.
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