Memory Loss - Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease?

As we grow older, our capacity for immediate recall and the ability to learn new things may become more challenging.

Our memory may fail us regarding where we put our keys, why we walked into a room looking for something, or recalling someone’s name.

It is essential to distinguish between age-appropriate and abnormal cognitive decline as we age.

According to the CDC, certain behaviors are concerning:

• Asking the same questions over and over again

• Difficulty in learning new information and applying it

• Forgetting the function of certain items

• Having trouble or taking longer to complete tasks without assistance

• Becoming more confused about time, place, or surroundings

• Not taking care of oneself by eating poorly, not bathing, or behaving unsafely

• Behavioral changes with mood swings, agitation, or personality changes

If you are experiencing one or more of these behaviors, you may have dementia.

Dementia is a general term that describes symptoms associated with a decline in cognitive performance.

American Psychiatric Association has identified the following :

• Alzheimer’s Disease- a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that most often affects the part of the brain associated with learning.

• Vascular Dementia- a type of dementia that occurs as the result of a stroke, transient ischemic attack (TIA), or other medical condition that blocks the flow of blood to the brain.

Dementia with Lewy bodies, Fronto-Temporal Dementia, and Mixed Dementia are other forms of dementia.

Where to go for help?

Self-diagnosing or determining whether you have a specific type of dementia is difficult and should be handled by a medical professional.

A Primary Care Provider (PCP) can do an initial work-up to rule out any physical or mental illnesses contributing to memory loss. Thyroid disease, low Vitamin D, low Vitamin B12, depression, high alcohol consumption, recent head trauma, or medication side effects may be the underlying cause triggering memory lapse.

Based on the results of your work-up, a PCP may refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist or a neuropsychologist in your area, for further testing and appropriate treatment interventions.

While there are no guaranteed ways to prevent dementia, there is growing scientific evidence that there are ways to help reduce the risk:

• Engage in activities that challenge your brain.

• Socialize and stay connected.

• Manage stress, anxiety, and depression.

• Stay up to date on preventative health exams, screening, and immunizations.

• Be proactive in your health and eat a healthy diet, be physically active, get 7-8 hours of sleep at night, maintain a healthy weight, keep blood pressure and blood sugar in reasonable control, don’t smoke, and limit alcohol use.

Try the three object recall. I will give you three objects to remember—Orange, Pinetree, and Fence.

Walk away from the computer and wait 10 minutes.

Then, upon return, before looking, what were the three objects?