What are the signs that we have memory impairment that needs attention?

Forgetting some things is normal and it happens to all of us. Now, as we enter later adulthood, memory problems can become a little more pressing. Although cognitive decline is part of aging itself, sometimes certain signs can give us clues to other underlying problems.

Forgetting, so common and everyday, is a sign of the proper functioning of our memory. This fact may catch our attention, however, our brain works similarly to a computer. Human beings need to “forget” to make room for new memories.. That is, our cognitive processes must be restarted, cleaned and even deleted certain information to make room for new information.

Now, sometimes forgetting stops being a brain optimization mechanism and gives clues to clear cognitive deterioration. So, in this article We are going to analyze the differences between the different types of forgetfulness and their causes.

Why do I lose my memory?

Health problems

Memory loss can sometimes be caused by an underlying health problem. In this case, the disease can be treated and the forgetfulness is reversible.. Some of the most common causes are the following:

Nutrition deficit: lack of vitamins B6, B9 and B12.Menopause.Drug or alcohol abuse.Diseases such as hypertension.High cholesterol. Some liver conditions. Thyroid gland disorders.

Emotional problems

Factors such as anxiety, stress or even the presence of depression often determine these cognitive failures.. Forgetting occurs because we focus our attention on threatening stimuli and this makes it difficult for us to encode and record other information.

Once the underlying emotional problem is controlled, memory losses will improve and cognitive capacity will be recovered. Therefore, it is necessary to go to a psychotherapy professional to help us develop tools and resources to face the situation.

Memory loss due to aging

When we reach an advanced age our memory performance usually suffers a decline. This phenomenon has been included in the main diagnostic manuals as “age-related cognitive impairment” or “mild cognitive disorder.” This is a common forgetfulness that occurs in healthy people.

The most affected area is everyday memory, which includes forgetting names or faces, not remembering that we had an appointment or where we have left an object. However, no other cognitive function is affected and the impact on the individual’s life is minimal. It is common for people who experience it to express complaints and concerns about their memory. But It is a natural, non-pathological process.

Memory losses associated with dementia

When The impact is broader and the cognitive deterioration significantly affects the person’s life., we are probably facing dementia. This disease not only influences memory, but also other cognitive processes, as well as the patient’s emotionality and behavior.

There are different types of dementia, the most common are Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia and vascular dementia. But all of them share some symptoms that can be warning signs to seek treatment:

There are at least two basic mental functions affected. In addition to memory failures, communication, orientation or reasoning problems may appear.A change in the individual’s behavior is evident. He or she appears irritable, aggressive, distrustful, or performs inappropriate acts.Has a degenerative pattern, in which the involvement becomes more extensive and severe over time. In the final stages, it is common for symptoms such as loss of speech, incontinence or immobility to occur.

How to take care of my memory?

If there is any sign of cognitive impairment, it is necessary to go to the doctor to obtain a diagnosis. and implement an action plan. Whether it is a mild or more advanced deterioration, preserving the memory that is still intact is an essential step.

The brain is plastic and various strategies can be carried out to preserve our memory capacity. Several professionals can help design a training plan with techniques to exercise memory and stimulate the rest of the basic mental functions.

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