Memory Loss

What Is Memory Loss

Everyone forgets things sometimes. A normal, healthy brain has to sort through a lot of information on a day-to-day basis, and sometimes the information you need gets misplaced. So if you sometimes forget where you put your keys or you have to stop once in a while and remember what you were doing, it’s likely not the result of a disease process, rather a normal aspect of human mental functioning.

However, memory loss can be a cause for concern if:

  • It gets in the way of your day-to-day life
  • It happens more than once in a while
  • You forget important things, like the name of a close friend or relative
  • You forget whole conversations, or repeat yourself a lot
  • You get lost in a place you should know, or you forget where things belong
  • You often forget or misuse words
  • You don’t remember your own memory lapses, but other people do
  • Your memory continues to worsen over time

According to a recent analysis by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 in 8 people over the age of 60 have experienced confusion or worsening memory loss within the last year. Memory loss may be an early warning sign of a serious condition such as Alzheimer’s disease, or it may be something easy to fix, such as a side effect of a medication. Either way, if you think you have memory problems, or if people close to you are seeing memory lapses you don’t notice, you should speak with your doctor.

What Causes Memory Loss

Risk Factors For Memory Loss

Diagnosing Memory Loss

Symptoms of Memory Loss

Prognosis

Living With Memory Loss

Screening

Prevention

Medication And Treatment

Complementary and Alternative Treatment

When To Contact A Doctor

Questions For A Doctor