REMEMBER those recent headlines about a new test to help predict the onset
of Alzheimer’s early on?
It’s a promising development but won’t be available in your GP’s surgery
any time soon.
What? You don’t remember? Don’t panic. Memory lapses are common – don’t
assume it’s dementia.
Here are some other common causes.
1. DEPRESSION: This can closely mimic Alzheimer’s in the elderly —
doctors sometimes call it “pseudo-dementia”.
When you’re feeling down, you can’t concentrate properly — hence the memory
problems.
Other clues are tearfulness, poor sleep, loss of interest and motivation.
In which case, see your doc — you may need treatment.
2. STRESS AND ANXIETY: Being uptight is a common cause of memory
trouble.
When you’ve got a lot on your mind, it’s hard to force anything else in.
So the problem is you don’t process information in the first place — no wonder
you can’t retrieve it later.
Chill out, take more exercise and try to get on top of your troubles.
3. HEAD INJURY: A really nasty bump on your head can cause memory loss
for events leading up to — or beyond — the injury. Many people make a full
recovery.
But if your memory lapse lasts more than a month, you may have long-term
problems.
See the Headway website headway.org.uk to find out more.
4. TRANSIENT GLOBAL AMNESIA: This is a strange loss of memory, usually
in the elderly, lasting just a few hours.
The victim will be muddled and anxious, and repeatedly asks what’s going on.
Afterwards — ironically — they won’t remember anything about it. Though it is
distressing, it’s completely harmless.
5. ALCOHOL: Overdoing the booze can seriously mess up your memory.
How? Well, by pickling your brain, or by making you vitamin-deficient.
Repeated bumps on the head from falling over drunk won’t help much, either.
So cut down on the drink — or, better still, stop completely. And if it’s
already causing memory trouble, see your GP.
6. STROKE: Everyone knows a stroke can paralyse you down one side. But
it might also paralyse your recall — or at least seriously disturb it.
It can improve, though — especially in the first year after the stroke.
You’re likely to see a variety of therapists during and after your hospital
stay to help get you back to as near normal as possible.
7. OTHER DISEASE: Very rarely, some undiagnosed illness — like an
underactive thyroid, vitamin deficiency or a brain tumour — can mess with
your memory.
That’s why your doc may arrange for you to have blood tests and a scan.
8. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING: Unlikely, but worth bearing in mind if
everyone in the household starts complaining about absent-mindedness.
Other clues are headaches and nausea. In which case, get your boiler and
heating system checked pronto, to make sure you’re not poisoning yourselves.
9. MEDICATION: A few medications — especially sedatives or
antidepressants — can cause memory trouble.
Check out the information leaflet and have a word with your doc or pharmacist
— maybe you could stop them or have an alternative.
10. SENIOR MOMENTS: It can be tricky to know where to draw the line
between the normal forgetfulness of ageing and true Alzheimer’s.
Take it seriously if your memory issues are badly affecting your day-to-day
life, especially if they’re gradually getting worse.
But if it’s just the odd case of you not being able to remember where you put
your house keys, it’s nothing to worry about — so forget it. Oh, you already
have.