![]() “I would encourage anyone concerned about forgetfulness or any other change in their ability to function normally to see their primary care provider,” Lyndsay said. Forming and maintaining strong connections helps reduce stress and improve mood. Socializing (safely, of course) – Social isolation can cause unhealthy stress and lead to depression.Staying active cognitively – Try mentally stimulating activities like reading, playing games, solving puzzles or learning a new hobby. ![]() Exercise – Even low-impact exercise like walking 30 minutes a day five times a week can help.The MIND diet incorporates the DASH and Mediterranean food plans, which encourage eating brain-protecting foods such as fish, chicken, nuts and green leafy vegetables while avoiding processed foods and foods high in sugar and saturated fat. Healthy eating – Lyndsay said the MIND diet is beneficial for brain health.Some ways that you may be able to slow memory loss and cut down on forgetfulness are: Living a healthy lifestyle is important for brain health. “It can be extremely helpful to have a friend or family member with you to provide an outside perspective of changes they may have seen,” Lyndsay said. Whether it’s concern for yourself or for a loved one, having another person at the appointment can help you share needed facts. “Findings of your physical exam, blood work and brain imaging are also considered. “Screening tests for memory and other cognitive skills are an important part of an evaluation, but these tests alone do not give a diagnosis,” Lyndsay said. Sudden memory loss or confusion could also indicate a more serious problem such as a stroke or serious infection. You will also be asked about sleep habits, mood changes and physical changes such as dizziness, tremor or falls.Īnd don’t delay. When you meet with your provider, having examples of your memory loss can be very helpful. If you are concerned about forgetfulness in yourself or a loved one, making an appointment with your primary care provider is the first step. “Monitoring how a person is managing their medications and finances and observing driving skills can help identify problems that could become early safety issues.” What to expect “No matter the cause of dementia, when there is memory loss, safety is a primary concern,” Lyndsay said. While there is no way to reverse the damage that has been done, working to manage these conditions and healthy lifestyle changes can help to minimize the risk. This damage can be due to strokes and many of the same things that cause heart disease – for instance, poorly controlled high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. People who have Alzheimer’s disease usually don’t recognize that they are having these problems.Īnother common cause of dementia is cerebrovascular disease, or damage to the blood vessels in the brain. Typical symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include forgetting recent events or conversations, repetition or getting lost in familiar places. ![]() The most common cause of dementia over the age of 65? Alzheimer’s disease. “But dementia is a loss in function that happens earlier or faster than what we see in normal aging.” “A common misconception is that dementia is just a normal part of aging,” Lyndsay said. When someone experiences forgetfulness, their initial fear may be dementia. “These problems can give a false impression of memory loss,” Lyndsay said. Vitamin deficiencies or thyroid abnormalities.“Healthy sleep practices, treating underlying causes of sleep problems or being evaluated for sleep apnea might help these symptoms.” Sleep issues – “Insomnia or untreated sleep apnea can affect thinking and memory skills,” she said.Medications – These can include but aren’t limited to over-the-counter sleep aids, allergy medications, overactive bladder medications and pain medications (specifically narcotics).“Stress and mood disturbances can act as a distraction and make it difficult to focus, which can lead to memory problems.” ![]()
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