You run to the supermarket to pick up a few things for dinner but before you hit the produce aisle, you forget what you came for. Then you head back to the parking lot and do a brain freeze on where youve parked the car. And when you finally locate it, you cant find your keys.
These senior moments as theyre not-so-fondly labeled, do indeed become more frequent as we age. According to Alexander P. Auchus, MD., professor of neurology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, the average person will notice a slow down in their memory recall abilities by age forty; people who engage in highly complex cognitive tasks such as chess or mathematics, even sooner.
Are these memory lapses a cause for concern? We asked Auchus, who is also on staff at the Memphis VAMC Medical Center, to set the record straight about age-related memory issues.
If you find yourself becoming more absent minded as you age, does that mean you're at risk of developing Alzheimers?
Although about 4.5 million Americans are diagnosed with Alzheimers, memory loss has many other causes; alcohol use, sleep deprivation, medications and stress to name a few. Certainly genetics and family history are risk factors for Alzheimers. Brain mistakes are normal but if you have concerns or you know someone older who seems to be having trouble with basic, everyday functions like brushing the teeth or putting on clothes, I recommend an evaluation by a neurologist.
How does alcohol affect memory?Alcohol is toxic to the nervous system and abuse and can lead to forgetfulness and a high degree of mental errors. Other forms of substance abuse, like cocaine use, can cause small strokes which damage the brain and impair mental abilities including memory. The good news is that after a period of abstinence we often see an improvement in function.What about lack of sleep?People who dont get enough deep, restorative sleep may find themselves forgetting to buy the milk on the way home from work. Thats because you need to spend a certain amount of time in whats called Stage Four sleep, where you experience the deep, delta brain waves needed to help your brain feel refreshed and restored. Of course, as you get older there are more reasons not to sleep arthritic pains, worry, multiple medications and so on can disrupt sleep patterns. Many people make the mistake of drinking a glass of wine before bed to help them sleep better but that backfires. It may make them drowsy but it prevents them from going into the deeper sleep stages.Can stress really make you more forgetful? Anxiety, depression and other psychological conditions definitely make you more prone to mental errors. People who are depressed, for instance, may be unhappy and have trouble with motivation. They make cognitive mistakes because they dont put forth the effort. With anxiety, people are usually more aware of the problem but still make a lot of mental mistakes because theyre on overload and dont take the time to plan or check what theyre doing.
What are some other common causes of memory problems?One other common cause is prescription medications. Many older people take multiple medications at once. While one prescription medication by itself may not be a problem, taken in combination, they can have a profound affect on memory. Your doctor should be monitoring drug interactions. Another common cause is disease. A lot of the same things that manifest as cardiovascular disease like diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure are also bad for the brain. A person can have a series of small strokes that arent noticeable enough to land them in the hospital but will leave them off balance or feeling sick and can definitely damage their memory. Is there anything you can do to keep your brain sharp and stave off memory slowdowns?What is heart healthy is also brain healthy. Good blood flow to brain is important for stroke and Alzheimers avoidance. So exercise and eating a balanced diet that includes lots of fruit and vegetables are essential. Its also a good idea to learn something new and challenge your brain with things like crossword puzzles and brain teasers. Start while your brain is strong and resists disease prevention is more of a sure thing than reversing problems you already have. If you have a family history of memory loss, be aware that you have an increased risk of developing these problems than someone who does not and you should visit the doctor at the first signs of trouble.For information and advice about caring for elderly relatives, visit caring.com.
