Is Your Memory Loss "Normal" or Is There a Problem?

Experts say some memory lapses are actually normal. So before you godiagnosing yourself with Alzheimer's disease, take heart. It is saidthat memory loss is the second thing that occurs as you age. So what'sthe first? Umm, I forgot! Actually, by the time you reach the end ofthis story, you may remember only a fraction of it. Don't worry, you'renot alone.

Mild memory loss is perfectly normal, especially aswe age. It has happened to all of us at one time or another; You draw acomplete blank when introducing a new acquaintance. You leave the house withfood bubbling on the stove. You forget to pick up your child fromafter-school practice. You forget a doctor's appointment, a birthday,an anniversary. Oh - and let's not forget the all-too-often search forcar keys.

If you sometimes forget simple things, you're notnecessarily developing Alzheimer's disease. There are many people likeyourself walking around who occasionally misplace their keys, who can'trecall the name of one newperson they met at their last office party, and have that�deer-in-the-headlights� look when searching for their car in theparking lot. There's a reason Disney has character-themed floorscoupled with the happy-go-lucky music in their parking garages.

Memory, the ability to normally recall the facts and events of our lives, takes place in three stages:
Stage 1 � Encoding: When a person takes information in.
Stage2 � Consolidation: When the brain takes the encoded information andprocesses it, storing it in certain areas of the brain.
Stage 3 � Retrieval:. When someone recalls stored information in the brain.

Fora layman, differentiating between normal memory loss and Alzheimer'sdisease can be puzzling because the kind of memory that is affected ineveryday situations is also the kind affected in the early stages ofAlzheimer's disease.

Time is memory's worst enemy. Memory lossand brain aging are a natural part of getting older. In their 50s,people will often start to report that they think their memories aregoing. Because they have to use more reminders or more kinds ofstrategies for remembering things, older adults seem to be consciouslyaware of their memory loss.

But even before we hit our 50s,memory loss can start to occur. Shortly after receiving information,our memory begins to deteriorate. Some information fades right away,while other things fade less quickly. There are many differentforgetting curves with different rates of forgetting that depend on thenature of the material, on how important the information is to you, andhow high your stress levels are.

Studies show that after sometime, people probably don't remember events as they actually happened.You may think you have a vivid memory of an experience, but memorydistortion does occur. The longer the period of time that passesbetween an event and trying torecall it, the greater the chance peopleare going to have some memory distortions and forgetfulness.Occasionally, time distortion causes us to forget the event completely.

Short of Alzheimer's disease, other causes of memory loss can include: stress and anxiety, ADHD, depression, thyroid gland diseases, diabetes, lung, liver, or kidney failure, alcoholism, Vitamin B-12 deficiency, infections, and both prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Depression and stress are the most common reasons for temporary memory problems. The causes of memory loss from many of these conditions are normally reversible.

Nomatter how "normal" memory lapses may be, that doesn't make them anyless frustrating. Experts agree that the best way to keep your brainfit is to keep using it. Four things that slow down brain aginginclude: mental activity, physical fitness, stress reduction, and a healthy diet.Those with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and otherconditions increase their risk for small strokes in the brain. Alsoantioxidants help protect brain cells and exercise helps with overallhealth.

The most important things to help extend and maintainyour cognitive abilities for a longer period of time include stayingintellectually and socially engaged. Also by challenging yourself bylearning new things, reading, and taking up hobbies keep the brainactive and strong for the long haul.

Some other things you cando to improve memory include: Focusing your attention on the task athand. Multitasking and not paying attention are two of the biggestcauses of forgetfulness. Reduce stress, get plenty of sleep, organize yourself by writing things down or using date books.

When should yousee a doctor? Research shows that up to half of people over age 50 havemild forgetfulness linked to age-associated memory impairment. Butthere are signs when more serious memory conditions, such asAlzheimer's disease, are happening. While there is no definitive way topinpoint Alzheimer's, there are some diagnostic ways doctorsdistinguish normal memory loss from that which should raise concern.Normal forgetfulness can include: forgetting where you parked your car,forgetting a person's name, but canrecall it later, or forgettingevents from your past. More serious symptoms and possible problems offorgetfulness include: recalling recent events, how to drive a car,forgetting to have ever known a particular person, confusion, and lossof function.

Many doctors feel that if you are worried aboutyour memory, the problem probably isn't that serious. However youshould consult a doctor when your relatives or friends express concernsabout your memory loss.