Elsa Angel Rose
“I regularly forget where I have placed my wallet and other everyday essentials, especially if I do not keep them in their usual places. It is also common for me to walk into a room to get something, like a handkerchief, and then completely forget why I went there, only remembering a couple of minutes later. In the past, I have accidentally left valuable belongings, such as my laptop bag, on buses, trains, and even in hotels. Because of these experiences, I have developed a constant worry about leaving my belongings behind. For example, when I am at a restaurant, I usually keep my backpack on me instead of taking it off because I am afraid I might forget it when I leave,” said a middle-aged person from Caranzalem who experiences everyday memory lapses. Memory loss can be normal and abnormal. Instances like occasionally forgetting names, appointments, or where you placed an object, but remembering later are considered normal. But repeatedly asking the same questions, forgetting important events, getting lost in familiar places, struggling with routine tasks, or relying heavily on others for everyday activities can be considered abnormal.
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WHEN SHOULD YOU WORRY ABOUT MEMORY LOSS? “Occasional forgetfulness, such as misplacing keys or forgetting names briefly, is common and often linked to stress, poor sleep, multitasking, anxiety, or normal ageing. It does not necessarily indicate declining brain function. In many cases, the brain is processing too much information rather than losing its ability to remember,” said Dr Parul Dubey, Lead Consultant, Neurology at Manipal Hospital. Such memory lapses are not really a sign of cognitive decline; instead, a sign of the brain becoming more selective. “In many middle-aged adults, the brain becomes more selective about what it stores, especially when balancing multiple responsibilities. This is often more about attention and information overload than a decline in brain capability,” said Dr Parul. But when do such memory lapses become alarming? “Persistent or worsening memory problems should not be dismissed and deserve medical assessment. Memory changes should be evaluated if they are frequent, progressively worsening, interfere with daily life, or are associated with confusion, difficulty finding familiar places, personality changes, or problems with language and decision making. Early evaluation helps identify treatable causes and enables timely management,” explained Dr Parul.
COMMON CAUSES OF MEMORY LOSS AND HOW THEY DIFFER BY GENDER In order to distinguish between mild forgetfulness and a serious memory problem, experts first assess whether the memory trouble is affecting daily life and activities. Mild forgetfulness is common with ageing, stress, poor sleep, or multitasking. “Common causes include chronic stress, anxiety, depression, sleep deprivation, obstructive sleep apnea (a potentially serious condition that causes breathing to stop and start several times during sleep), thyroid disorders, vitamin B12 deficiency, uncontrolled diabetes, hypertension, obesity, excessive alcohol intake, and certain medications such as sedatives or anticholinergics. Less commonly, strokes, epilepsy, head injury, autoimmune disorders, or early neurodegenerative diseases may be responsible,” explained Dr Amrut S D, another neurologist at Manipal Hospital. Gender differences are apparent in memory troubles. Women tend to experience a ‘brain fog’ during the menopausal transition. This is due to declining estrogen levels, which leads to reduced attention and word finding difficulty. “Men, on the other hand, often develop vascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease earlier, which can contribute to vascular cognitive impairment,” said Dr Amrut. “Regardless of gender, maintaining cardiovascular health, regular exercise, quality sleep, mental stimulation, and social engagement remain the most effective strategies for preserving brain function,” he added. Women face a higher lifetime risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, owing to both their longer life expectancy and biological factors
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THE ROAD TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT Memory issues are treatable, as degeneration happens mostly after age 60. “Evaluation includes a detailed history (preferably from a family member), neurological examination, and cognitive screening tests such as the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) or the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). If symptoms are progressive or concerning, blood tests including amyloid biomarkers (recently launched in India) and brain imaging (MRI brain / PET-FDG brain) help identify reversible or degenerative causes,” explained Dr Amrut. Not everyone with a memory issue develops dementia. “Many individuals have subjective cognitive decline, where memory feels worse, but objective testing is normal. When cognitive testing confirms impairment without loss of independence, it is termed Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). Approximately 10–15% of people with MCI progress to dementia each year, although some remain stable or even improve if the underlying cause is reversible,” Dr Amrut noted. To manage memory changes, getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, eating a balanced diet, managing stress, and keeping conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and thyroid disorders under control can make a significant difference. “Simple habits such as making lists, using reminders, focusing on one task at a time, and reducing distractions can also significantly improve day-to-day memory,” said Dr Parul.
