Recognizing and Managing Everyday Memory Lapses
Everyday memory lapses, such as misplacing keys or forgetting names, are often misinterpreted as signs of dementia. Neuroscience experts suggest that early cognitive changes may be reversible if addressed promptly.
Dr. Tommy Wood, a professor of pediatrics and neuroscience at the University of Washington, emphasizes that minor forgetfulness is frequently due to fatigue or stress rather than neurodegenerative disease. He noted, “For most people, it’s just because you’re stressed or you’re tired and weren’t paying attention.” Wood spoke to Fox News Digital at Strong New York, the largest annual fitness and wellness festival in the city.
Understanding memory loss involves three stages: encoding, consolidation, and retrieval. Cognitive changes during aging are not inevitable. Proactive lifestyle steps can help maintain or restore brain function.
When individuals face stress or are sleep-deprived, the problem usually lies in retrieval. The memory exists, but accessing it becomes difficult. In contrast, neurodegenerative diseases often hinder the encoding of new memories.
Preventable Risk Factors and Reversibility
Dementia affects cognitive function to the point where daily life management is impaired. Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia constitute 70% to 90% of cases, with many individuals exhibiting signs of both.
Research suggests that lifestyle and health risk modifications can prevent at least 50% of dementia cases. True memory issues arise from failure to encode new memories, while stress-related forgetfulness involves retrieval problems. Key preventable risk factors include heart health, metabolic problems, hearing, and vision loss. Addressing health issues like acquiring hearing aids or cataract surgery can reduce cognitive decline risk.
Reversible Causes of Cognitive Symptoms
Wood aligns with guidance from Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic, noting that treatable conditions can mimic early dementia symptoms or contribute to cognitive decline:
- Vitamin deficiencies: Low levels of vitamin B12 or B1
- Endocrine disruption: Thyroid problems, primarily hypothyroidism
- Medication side effects: Sedative drugs or polypharmacy
- Mental health conditions: Depression or severe anxiety
- Metabolic and kidney issues: Chronic kidney or liver failure
Managing health issues such as controlling high blood pressure and treating vision or hearing loss can significantly reduce cognitive decline risks. Cleveland Clinic stresses the importance of early clinical intervention when brain fog or executive function changes are noticed.
Wood concluded, “If you start to notice something, there’s still time to make some changes if you need to.”
Khloe Quill, a lifestyle writer with Fox News Digital, covers a range of topics including health and wellness.