Oh! I am forgetting names. Can’t recall the name of my new neighbour! If you have been experiencing frequent incidents of memory lapse, you are not alone. And if you are taking it to be a symptom of dementia, this blog is for you.
Occasionally forgetting the names of people is normal. But with advancing age, these “elderly moments” may set you contemplating – “Am I progressing towards dementia?”
👉 Dementia is the condition associated with loss of memory and logical skills – extreme enough to disrupt one’s self-reliance, and typically caused by Alzheimer’s disease or oter changes in the brain.
Which other factors may cause temporary memory lapse? Stress, inadequate sleep, an excessively hectic day, and certain medications can disrupt the process of building and recalling memories.
Most of us have times when we are unable to instantly recall a person’s or a movie’s name. However, it is entirely different from the kind of memory issues that signal dementia.
At most times, temporary lapses in memory are not a cause for concern. But if you are too concerned about yourself or a loved one’s frequent memory issues, it is good to consult a trusted neurologist.
👉 A prominent question you may have – How do I distinguish harmless slipups in memory from something that may be more serious? The key here is to identify the continuous changes in your thinking and functioning ability.
In this blog, we are going to look at five major clues to tell the difference between an ordinary memory lapse and dementia.
Misplacing Things
Losing things and unable to make out where they’ve gone? All of us tend to misplace things. On a busy morning, we may even put the spice box in the refrigerator. It’s normal to inadvertently keep your belongings at the wrong spots, and it’s normal to locate them later.
👉 When to be Alert
Inability to recall where lost items might be, keeping things in strange and unusual places, and doubting others of theft – without any proof.
Getting Lost
Is your loved one getting lost in places well known to them? Losing the way while walking, driving, or using public transport to a new place is nothing to worry about. Now, here is something you may find surprising. It is normal if you get so immersed in your thoughts while travelling that you have to reorient yourself to make out where you’ve reached!
👉 When to be Alert
Driving or walking for a prolonged duration without the realisation that you are lost, or total forgetfulness about where you are, and not even seeking help in such a situation, could indicate dementia. Other warning signs in this context include not knowing how you reached a new place, getting easily disoriented in places you know well, or losing the ability to follow traffic signals and landmarks, or read a map.
Losing Time Track
Are you losing track of time, date, or season? Once in a blue moon, anybody can forget which day or date it is, but we quickly figure it out.
👉 When to be Alert
It is predominantly about realisation. Not only does a dementia patient become unaware of ‘what day it is’, ‘what time it is’, or ‘how time is passing’, but they also lack the realisation that they have forgotten. Apart from this, frequently missing appointments despite repeated reminders from family or marking them on the calendar – could signal dementia.
Fumbling for Words
Have you started stopping amid conversations for want of words? It happens to most of us from time to time. And it’s quite normal with advancing age.
👉 When to be Alert
Extreme struggle recalling words may be a warning sign. The same goes for addressing people and calling things by the wrong names. Along with it, one may get socially withdrawn as one faces increasing difficulty following, continuing, or joining a conversation – because of the inability to find the right words. Another red flag is not being able to follow the plot in a TV show.
Disruptions to Normal Life
Infrequent forgetfulness or memory lapse is common among most people. For example, if you can’t recall the name of your friend’s pet, it isn’t something to worry about.
👉 When to be Alert
If you can no longer function independently in your day-to-day life and require frequent help from your family members or professional attendants, you need to be cautious.
To make it clearer, let us have a look at some activities that most people do on a regular basis. These activities may turn much harder, or one may forget them altogether if one is suffering from dementia.
- Unpaid electricity, water, and other bills
- No track of where you are spending your money
- Inability to recall your favourite recipe that you’ve been using for years
- Feelings of overwhelm at forgetting common things and words
- Social withdrawal
From a doctor’s point of view, another huge concern would be forgetfulness about medications or not taking them the right way.
If you or a loved one is going through any of the cognitive problems mentioned in the blog, it is time to get in touch with your healthcare provider. If you are looking for a ‘neurologist near me’ or a ‘brain doctor near me’, visit Sohana Hospital. Located in the heart of Punjab in Mohali, the hospital is known far and wide for its expert neurologists, advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities, and world-class care at reasonable prices.
The crux lies in – forgetting once in a while vs forgetting in routine to the extent that even the realisation of forgetfulness is missing.