Memory Loss vs. Dementia

We have all misplaced our car keys, drawn a blank on someone’s name that we are familiar with or walked into a room to grab something and then forgotten what we were going to get. When we’re young we don’t pay much attention to these memory lapses but as we get older we worry about what they mean.

While Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia are responsible for many cases of memory loss, the good news is that there are other factors that may cause memory loss and some are reversible.

Memory Loss Contributors

Depression

Depression can occur in the elderly, it’s often misattributed to aging but it is not a normal part of aging. It can be triggered by, death of a spouse or family member, having moved from home to a facility, side effects from medication, loneliness or a number of other variables. These factors could contribute to memory loss.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency can contribute to memory loss especially in older people. They have a slower nutritional absorption rate so if their diet is also poor they may not be getting enough of the vitamin B12. Foods rich in B12 are meat, fish, dairy, fortified cereal.

Thyroid Problems

Hypothyroidism can cause memory problems such as forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating medication can reverse the symptoms.

Dehydration

The elderly especially are susceptible to dehydration, it can cause memory loss and other symptoms that mimic dementia. It’s important to stay hydrated by drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water throughout the day.

Medication

Many prescribed and over the counter drugs or combinations of drug can cause cognitive problems and memory loss as a side effect. Common medications that affect memory and brain function include sleeping pills, antihistamines, blood pressure and arthritis medications, muscle relaxants, anti-anxiety, painkillers and many more.

Types of Dementia

Dementia

Dementia is a general term for symptoms of mental decline that interfere with a person’s daily life. It is not a normal part of aging. The symptoms can include problems with memory, communication, and thinking. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Symptoms of Alzheimer’s begin slowly and get worse over time. There is currently no cure but there are several medications that help slow the process in some people. It’s very important to get a proper diagnosis if you have symptoms of dementia because there are several other types apart from Alzheimer’s.

Vascular Dementia

This is the second most common type of dementia. It is caused by conditions that damage blood vessels reducing or blocking blood flow to the brain. Symptoms depend on what part of the brain is damaged. Research has shown that physical exercise, not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight helps enhance brain health and reduce the risk of heart problems, stroke and other diseases that affect blood vessels.

Dementia with Lewy Bodies

This type of dementia is caused by a builds up of clumps of protein that form in the cortex of the brain which is the part that handles memory and learning. This type of dementia causes problems with attention and things like driving, sleeping and hallucinations. It also causes slowed unbalanced movements similar to Parkinson’s. Memory loss tends to show up later in the disease.

Mixed Dementia

Sometimes a person has brain changes caused by more than one type of dementia. For example, one may have blocked or damaged blood vessels in the brain (vascular dementia) and also have brain plaques and tangles (Alzheimer’s disease)

Huntington’s Disease

This is an inherited condition where brain cells break down over time. It effects the central part of the brain, the area that helps you think, move and show emotion. The first signs of symptoms are uncontrolled arm, leg. head, face and upper body movements. The brain changes also lead to problems with memory, concentration, judgement and reasoning. People with Huntington’s also have issues with depression, anger and irritability.

When to Seek Professional Help

It’s time to consult a doctor when memory lapses become frequently enough or sufficiently noticeable to concern your family or friends. A Doctor can evaluate your symptoms and help you get appropriate care. Don’t forget that early diagnosis can treat reversible causes of memory loss.

Studies have shown that regular exercise, maintaining normal blood pressure, engaging in social contact, not smoking, getting plenty of foods rich in omega-3 fats (flaxseed, walnuts, salmon, and tuna) all help prevent or lower your risk of developing dementia.

Mental exercise can make your brain work better, try to memorize new words, try a new recipe, learn a musical instrument, try a crossword puzzle, or other word games. The more stimulated and engaged your brain, the greater the benefits you’ll experience.

If you think it’s time to get a helping hand with a loved one who is dealing with dementia, please reach out to us. We can make coping with this decline in mental help easier for you and your loved one.