How to Tell If Your ‘Senior Moment’ Is the Onset of Dementia ...Middle East

If you see a friend heading your way and can’t remember their name, don’t panic. Chances are, you’re not on the road to dementia. Forgetting names, numbers or what you had for breakfast yesterday is likely a result of stress.

I often see patients who are concerned about memory loss. In most cases, if they’re asking if it’s dementia, it probably isn’t. Yet, if an adult child asks about their aging parent, it probably is.

Like any organ, the brain slows down as we age. Now that people are living longer, we will continue seeing cognitive issues impact older communities. However, signs of true dementia are much more jarring than forgetting a phone number. And depending on the cause, everyday memory loss can often be remedied with simple lifestyle changes.

Understanding and Managing Everyday Memory Loss

Episodes of forgetfulness can strike at any age — with the most common causes being stress and depression.

Stress can take a toll on our minds. It distracts us and triggers momentary memory problems. Depression can also affect our memory, disconnecting us from our surroundings and dulling our concentration and awareness.

Some ways to help manage stress and depression and keep our minds sharp include:

Preserving memory function becomes increasingly important for older adults as the years pass. Many retirees see a decline in memory simply because they spend more time at home, disengaging from social interactions that are vital to cognitive health.

While it’s a trend for seniors to do crossword puzzles or play word games to stay “sharp,” it’s interaction with others that matters. So, read books and then discuss them with friends or an organized book club. Have a purpose when you wake up.

Medication and Memory Loss

Medications as a memory impairment is a topic I wish more of my patients would pay close attention to. Many people don’t realize how some medications can affect the brain. The worst part is that once medications or medication combinations impact the brain, there is no reversal.

Any medications with psychoactive properties can be a problem, causing permanent cognitive damage if taken long enough. Some of these include antihistamines, gastrointestinal antispasmodics, muscle relaxers, antidepressants, antipsychotics and bladder incontinence medications.

Patients must take an active role in their medical treatment plans. I suggest discussing the impact of recommended medications with their doctor and always asking, “How will this affect my brain?”

Obviously, medications are essential when treating certain conditions, but there needs to be a balance. If a person is 85 and already has memory issues, the impact of treatments on the brain should always be considered when weighing the risks and benefits.

Identifying Dementia

When memory issues go beyond everyday forgetfulness and begin to affect a person’s quality of life, dementia could be a possible diagnosis. In fact, a recent study found that dementia diagnoses will double by 2060.

Mild cognitive impairment is normal, but if memory problems are interfering with a patient’s ability to act appropriately, it’s time to be evaluated by their primary care physician.

Some ways to identify early-onset dementia include:

Focusing on brain health is as important as taking care of your body. In the same way that you exercise to stay fit or eat salmon to help your heart, don’t forget to mind your mind. The more you do when you’re younger, the better you’ll do when you’re 90.

Dr. Daniel Hoefer is a family medicine and palliative care doctor with Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group.

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