Clearing up a foggy memory
What causes everyday mental lapses, and when are they cause for concern?
- Reviewed by Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
At some point, most older adults experience "senior moments." You misplace your phone or keys, lose your train of thought during a conversation, forget directions or a name minutes after being told, or walk into a room and don't know why.
These moments of brain fogginess can be stressful and embarrassing, but are they ever cause for concern? "The brain is like any other part of the body, and over time, it may not function as well as it used to," says neuropsychologist Julie Brody Magid, clinical director of the Harvard-affiliated McLean Hospital Memory Disorders Assessment Clinic. "While most memory glitches are part of normal aging, in some cases they are exacerbated by problems that people can manage."
Aging and the brain
People often notice memory lapses beginning in their 50s or 60s. This is when age-related chemical and structural changes begin in brain regions devoted to memory, such as the hippocampus and frontal lobes.
These brain regions begin to shrink, often related to narrowing of the small arteries that deliver oxygen and nutrients. "These changes can make learning and recalling new and existing information slightly more challenging," says Brody Magid.
Yet age is not always to blame. Your doctor can help you sort out whether there are other problems contributing to your memory lapses. Here are some of the possibilities:
Depression, anxiety, and stress. Depression can disrupt the brain's ability to focus, process, and access information, according to Brody Magid. Chronic stress and anxiety can flood the brain with the stress hormone cortisol, which, over time, can affect the brain regions responsible for storing and recalling information. "Depression, stress, and anxiety can also cause negative and preoccupying thoughts that keep people from focusing and being present, which may contribute to memory issues," says Brody Magid.
Medication. Brain fogginess can be a common side effect of some medications. "If you are taking a new drug, either prescription or over the counter, ask your doctor or pharmacist if it could be affecting your cognition," says Brody Magid.
Sleep. Research has linked a decline in brain functions with sleep problems, such as sleeping less than the recommended seven to eight hours nightly, fragmented sleep, and sleep disorders like insomnia and sleep apnea.
Mind tricksEven though most memory lapses are normal, you can take measures to manage and improve your existing brain skills. Here are some memory obstacles people encounter and ways to deal with them. Absentmindedness. This happens when you take on too many tasks or get distracted. When faced with multiple tasks, make a list, put them in order of importance, and focus on only one at a time before moving on to the next. Setting up routines and reminders can also help. For example, create a memory table by your front door or in the bedroom where you place vital objects, like your phone, medicines, keys, and glasses. Blocking. A common example of blocking is remembering and recalling names. When you meet someone, try linking that person with something that may help trigger name recall, like their hobby, work, background, or spouse. Another method is to associate the person with someone with the same name or a similar one, like a relative, celebrity, or movie character. Transience. Transience is the loss over time of certain memories like facts and events. To help retain specific memories, keep the information active in your memory; for instance, share it in conversation whenever possible, record it for future reference, and review related photographs. |
When to get checked
If memory lapses become more frequent or substantial enough to interfere with your daily life or safety, you should get checked out, says Brody Magid.
When speaking with your doctor, provide as much detailed information as possible surrounding your memory glitches.
For instance, were you distracted because you were upset about something or were juggling too much at once? Does your memory recover in the moment, or does it take time for your brain to "kick in"? Is there a pattern to your memory lapses?
"All of this background information can help your doctor determine if lifestyle factors or medical issues might be at play and need to be addressed, or if you need a formal examination at a memory clinic," says Brody Magid.
Image: © Peter Dazeley/Getty Images
About the Author
Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men's Health Watch
About the Reviewer
Howard E. LeWine, MD, Chief Medical Editor, Harvard Health Publishing; Editorial Advisory Board Member, Harvard Health Publishing
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