A survey last year by Saga found that most of us dread incurable brain diseases such as dementia more than cancer or a heart attack. Photo / Getty Images
A survey last year by Saga found that most of us dread incurable brain diseases such as dementia more than cancer or a heart attack. Photo / Getty Images
Do you worry that your memory isn't what it used to be? Forget what you went upstairs for or frequently fail to put a name to a face?
A string of moments such as this can make many fear the worst - that it's the beginning of the slow decline into the horror of dementia.
A survey last year by Saga found that most of us dread incurable brain diseases such as dementia more than cancer or a heart attack, according to Daily Mail. It's this fear that drives many to seek help. Figures show dementia clinics, the majority of which rely on GP referrals, have recently been 'bombarded' by middle-aged people who fear they have the condition because they sometimes struggle to find their house keys.
• Scroll down to take the test
There was a four-fold rise in patients being seen at specialist centres between 2010 and 2013.
However, clinics say the vast majority of cases are patients who are simply absent-minded, perhaps due to stress at work. So when should you worry about your own memory lapses or those of a loved one?
"There's a great deal of hysteria these days over memory ability," says Barry Gordon, a professor of neurology and cognitive science at Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. and a world-renowned expert on memory.
"We seem to have unrealistically high expectations for our memory.
"Most of us don't complain about waning strength or appetite, but the first time we forget the name of an acquaintance, we assume we may have Alzheimer's disease.
"We never give ourselves credit for what we do remember, instead we fixate on what we forget!"
Most cases of absent-mindedness are normal - "it may just be a matter of simplifying your life so that you reduce the 'information overload' in your brain", says Professor Gordon, who is also author of Memory: Remembering and Forgetting in Everyday Life.
"If you have a busy life, you have more opportunities to forget - and more opportunities to blame your memory."
FORGOTTEN YOUR KEYS? DON'T PANIC
Reassuringly, some aspects of memory actually improve with age, says Sube Banerjee, professor of dementia at Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
So-called intelligent memory (a term coined by Professor Gordon and his team) - which covers such things as knowing how to ride a bike, vocabulary and social awaremess, or knowing how to behave with people - does not weaken with age.
It may even get stronger in some respects in later years.
Misplacing your keys once a week isn't concerning - doing it every day is, experts have said. Photo / 123RF
What's crucial, says Professor Gordon, a neuroscientist and editor-in-chief of the journal Cognitive and Behavioural Neurology, is to realise forgetting things now and again is normal - especially as we get older, as we have more to remember, and as the connections in our brains slow down.
The truth is that only a small portion of people develop significant memory problems due to brain disease.
Misplacing your keys once a week isn't concerning - doing it every day is, says Professor Banerjee.
"And forgetting where you've parked your car in a car park isn't worrying [car park floors can look identical] - but it's concerning if you don't know which car park you used."
WORRYING MEANS IT ISN'T DEMENTIA
In general, the more severe your worries about issues with your memory, the less likely you actually have a serious problem, says Professor Gordon.
"The typical Alzheimer's patient generally does not worry about his memory - their friends and family do."
This is because damage to the brain frequently affects areas that impair your knowledge of your own abilities.
You can test the state of your memory with the unique checklist on the facing page created by Professor Gordon.
It is designed to highlight and help explain some of the warning signs of memory problems - and when you may need to see a doctor.
You must complete the checklist with someone who knows you well (for example, your spouse, a good friend or close relative), because how they rate your memory is crucial.
"Provided you know him/her reasonably well, and have a chance to see them in everyday life, their rating is a fairly reliable guide to how good - or bad - it actually is," says Professor Gordon.
The quiz is designed to highlight and help explain some of the warning signs of memory problems - and when you may need to see a doctor. Photo / 123RF
"In general, I give far more weight to the impressions of memory loss from a spouse or close friend than from the person being rated."
If your spouse's or friend's evaluation suggests you should see a doctor, then you must.
For each question, both you and your spouse/friend should circle the most appropriate answer.
For some questions, there will be specific advice for each of you.
Why this matters (both you and your spouse/friend should read this section):
If the answer is (a):
The good news is that dementia is rare at this age. If you have memory problems now it's most likely to be due to over-work and stress, or depression.
If the answer is (b):
This is when you can begin to have problems such as remembering names - this happens as some brain connections slow down and we have more names to remember. This is normal.
Serious brain diseases such as Alzheimer's are extremely rare before the age of 60 and still unusual at 65.
Depression, anxiety and overwork may be behind memory lapses.
If the answer is (c):
The risk of Alzheimer's increases, but your risk is still less than 1 per cent.
Depression remains a possible cause of memory problems. There's also a higher risk of stroke and heart disease, which can affect the brain and memory as a result of damage or poor blood flow to the brain.
This age group is more likely to be on medication, which can hamper thinking and memory.
Forgetfulness is an expected part of ageing. But after 75, and particularly after 80, the risk of Alzheimer's is much higher - up to 40 per cent of people will develop it.
That being the case, if the answers to the questions below suggest a cause for concern, there is more reason to take memory loss seriously.
2. How would you rate your/their memory?
(a) Really bad - I forget everything!
(b) Not too bad - but I forget more often than most people.
(c) Normal. Like everyone, mostly I remember, but sometimes I forget.
You may well be normal. But if you had Alzheimer's, you might think you are normal - the key is how your spouse or friend answers question 2: if they answer (a) or (b), it's best to get checked.
WHY THIS MATTERS (for your spouse/friend to read)
If the answer is (a):
If this is a change for this person, it's a major danger sign about their memory. I would urge you to convince them to seek a medical opinion.
If the answer is (b):
If you believe their memory is worse than other people's - and have known them long enough to be able to say that - they should see a medical professional.
But memory problems that seem to begin suddenly - in a few hours or a day - could have been caused by an injury (that the person may have forgotten) or a stroke in an area of the brain that affects memory only - so see a doctor.
If the answer is (b):
Often it's hard to remember when the problem began because of the memory loss or because it began so slowly.
In memory loss due to ageing, people are often fairly certain their memory five or ten years ago was better, but hasn't changed that much.
With dementia, it worsens more quickly - usually within a year or two - but the sufferer may not be aware of this.
If you're aware of gradual changes, but your answers to other questions don't indicate a problem, there is likely to be no cause for concern.
WHY THIS MATTERS (for your spouse/friend to read):
If the answer is (a):
Sometimes memory loss might seem sudden, but the problem has been there for a while.
It usually happens after an illness - often a hospitalisation when the person is in new circumstances.
An inability to adapt to new situations signals problems with memory and other functions - the person can't keep up when their circumstances become unfamiliar.
Genuine sudden memory loss indicates a medical condition such as a stroke.
Everyone's memory ability fluctuates, but if you think you have a memory problem yet it has significantly improved at times, it's usually a sign that it's not your brain causing the problem, but that you're depressed or anxious and need treatment for that.
If the answer is (b):
Lack of improvement does not mean there is a serious memory problem or disease affecting memory.
Even mild problems can persist unchanged so take into account answers to other questions.
In this section, there are separate questions for you and your spouse/friend to answer.
If they think you're more forgetful than other people, then they're probably right.
It may be nothing more than normal ageing (distressing as that may be), depression, medication side-effects or a boring lifestyle.
In any case, a check-up might be worth it.
If the answer is (c):
This is good, but if it turns out that your spouse/friend's evaluation of your memory is significantly different from yours (from Question 2), then you should question why your impressions differ.
Are you hiding things from them so they can't tell how bad your memory really is? Again, if this is the case, it's worth seeking out a medical opinion.
7. For your spouse/friend to answer: How will this person think you'll rate their memory?
(a) Their memory is much worse than they think
(b) Their memory is the same as they rate it or better than they rate it.
WHY THIS MATTERS
If the answer is (a):
This is a cause for concern. Not only do you think their memory is bad, it also implies they are not a very good judge of their own abilities.
Diseases such Alzheimer's destroy not only memory, but also judgment and self-awareness.
Definitely concerning and another thing to mention when you are seeking a medical opinion.
9. Are you/they a regular heavy drinker?
Drinking to excess frequently can make your memory worse.
In a study conducted at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, each extra drink of alcohol was associated with the equivalent of ageing an additional 2.4 to 3.7 years due to the damage to memory.
COULD A HEARING AID IMPROVE YOUR MEMORY?
Want to sharpen up your memory? Here are some practical steps that might help:
• Make sure you are hearing and seeing properly. "It is amazing to me how many people ignore this obvious point," says Professor Gordon. "It should not be a surprise to anyone that not being able to hear or see well can cause problems with memory." This is because you can't absorb the information properly the first time around.
• Some medication, including codeine, sleeping pills and statins, may dull your mind or your memory - consult with your doctor to review your medications.
• Pay attention! You will not remember something if you do not hear it or are thinking of something else. To remember something, you must concentrate.
• Follow a Mediterranean diet. "There is an increasing amount of evidence to indicate eating a healthy diet that's rich in oily fish, fresh veg and nuts is good for your brain and can help maintain your memory as you get older," according to the Alzheimer's Society.
• Exercise keeps your respiratory system and circulation strong. This not only gets vital blood and oxygen to the brain cells, but can improve your mood and reduce stress.
• Examine your sleep patterns, says Professor Gordon. "Sleeping problems are a big issue in memory, and sleep is certainly something most of us aren't getting enough of."
