Everyone forgets something from time to time. You may have lost your car keys or forgotten the name of someone you just met. Mild memory problems and other mild declines in thinking skills are common parts of aging. However, there is a difference between normal memory changes and the memory loss associated with Alzheimer's disease and related conditions. And some memory problems are the result of treatable conditions.

If you have memory problems, contact your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and help.

Memory loss and aging

Normal age-related memory loss does not significantly interfere with daily activities. For example, sometimes you forget a person's name, but you can remember it later. You might lose your glasses. Or maybe you need to make a list more often than before to remember an appointment or task. These memory changes are usually manageable and do not affect your ability to work, live independently or maintain a social life.

Memory loss and dementia

The word 'dementia' is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of symptoms, including impairments in memory, judgment, reasoning, language, and other thinking skills. Dementia usually begins gradually and worsens over time, affecting an individual's occupational, social, and communication skills.

Often life-disrupting memory loss is one of the first or few symptoms of dementia to recognize. Other early signs:

• Ask the question often
• I forgot the utility word during speech
• Mix a word -for example, say 'bed' instead of 'table'.
• It takes a lot of time to perform certain recipe tasks.
• As a kitchen drawer
• Drive while losing or driving in a good area
• Changing mood or behavior for no reason
• The gradual deterioration of the brain -which leads to dementia.
• Alzheimer's disease, the most common cause of dementia
• Vascular dementia
• Front be ripe
• Dementia in Lou's body
• TDP-43 Encimat (late)
• Combination of these different dementiathis different dementia (mixed dementia)
• There are various diseases (pathology) of these disorders. Memory loss is not always the first sign, and the type of memory failure is changed.

Minor cognitive deficit

This means a significant decline in at least one area of ​​thinking, such as memory, that is greater than changes in age and less than dementia. Mild cognitive impairment does not interfere with daily work performance and social participation. Researchers and doctors are still learning about mild cognitive impairment. For many people, this condition turns into dementia due to Alzheimer's disease or another condition that causes dementia. In people with normal age-related memory loss, symptoms are usually mild and do not show the various symptoms associated with dementia.

When should I see a doctor?

If you are concerned about memory loss, talk to your doctor. There are tests to determine the extent and cause of memory impairment.

Your doctor will probably ask you some questions. It's a good idea to have a relative or friend with you to answer a few questions based on your observations.

Questions may include:

• When did the memory problems start? What medications are you taking, including prescription, over-the-counter, and nutritional supplements, and at what dosage?
• Have you recently started a new medication? What tasks do you find difficult?
• What did you do to fix the memory problem? how much do you drink
• Have you recently had an accident, fall, or, head injury? Have you been sick lately?
• Are you sad, depressed, or anxious? Have you recently experienced a major loss, chang,e or stressful event in your life?
• In addition to a general physical exam, your doctor may do question-and-answer tests to assess your memory and other thinking skills. He or she may also order blood tests, brain scans, and other tests to help identify reversible causes of memory problems and dementia-like symptoms.

A specialist, such as a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, or geriatrician, may be referred to diagnose dementia or memory disorders.

The importance of diagnosis

Coping with memory loss and the possibility of developing dementia can be difficult. Some people try to hide their memory problems, some family members or friends compensate for that person's memory loss, and sometimes they don't realize how well they have adapted to the disorder. Although difficult, a timely diagnosis is important. Identifying reversible causes of memory loss can help you get the right treatment. Early diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease or related conditions is beneficial because:

• Start treatment to manage symptoms
• Educate yourself and your loved ones about the disease.
• Determining future treatment options
• Check the medical facility or home care option
• Solving financial or legal problems

Your doctor can help you identify resources and community organizations, such as the Alzheimer's Association, that can help you manage memory loss and other symptoms of dementia.