Forgetfulness comes in different forms, and some such episodes are among the early signs that warrant a doctor's visit. The WHO explicitly lists among them "losing things or putting them in the wrong place." Let's look at how the brain works in dementia and where the line lies between it and ordinary aging.
Dementia and Age
Dementia becomes more common after age 65, but it is not an inevitable part of aging — according to the WHO. In dementia, cognitive functions decline more than can be expected from normal biological aging. The frequency rises from 2% under age 65 to 20% in people aged 80 and older. Mild cognitive impairment is distinguished separately: symptoms are mild and may not worsen for years, but in some people they progress to dementia.
What Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease Are
Dementia is a syndrome caused by various diseases and brain injuries, in which memory, thinking, and the ability to perform daily tasks are affected. According to the WHO, 57 million people worldwide were living with dementia in 2021, and about 10 million new cases are recorded each year. The WHO names dementia as the fifth leading cause of death worldwide and one of the main causes of disability and dependency in older people. The most common form is Alzheimer's disease, accounting for 60–70% of all cases. Other forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia gradually worsens over time.
Early Signs That Relatives Notice
The first thing that catches the eye of loved ones is repeated questions and forgetting recent events, names, and faces. A person may get lost on a familiar street, lose track of time, or have difficulty finding words or counting money. Changes in mood and behavior sometimes appear even earlier than memory problems. These symptoms are often mild and increase gradually — this condition is called mild cognitive impairment.
- Forgetting recent events, repeated questions.
- Difficulty performing familiar daily tasks.
- Confusion about time and place.
- Problems finding words in conversation.
- Changes in mood, anxiety, withdrawal.
Not Everything That Looks Like Dementia Is Dementia
The doctor also considers depression: the WHO names it among the risk factors for dementia, and mood changes may accompany the disease itself. Among the conditions that may be accompanied by cognitive impairment, sources name vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency and hypo- and hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. The WHO includes high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar among the risk factors.
How Memory Is Examined
Diagnosis begins with a conversation: the doctor asks about complaints, takes a history from the person and their relatives, and assesses how much the symptoms affect daily life. Next, neuro- and pathopsychological diagnostics are usually used, which check memory, attention, and speech. Laboratory tests help rule out deficiency and metabolic causes, and if needed, the doctor orders additional examinations.
Call an ambulance immediately (103 or 112) if the face suddenly droops, weakness or numbness appears in an arm or leg on one side, speech is impaired, or sudden confusion of consciousness occurs.
What Can Be Done for Prevention
The WHO lists risk factors that can be partly influenced: controlling blood pressure and blood sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, treating depression and vision and hearing impairments, and good-quality sleep. Among lifestyle factors — avoiding tobacco and excessive alcohol, physical activity, social contacts, and education. A separate scientific episode: a 44-year observation of 1,462 women aged 38–60 showed that high physical fitness delayed the onset of dementia by an average of 9.5 years.
This article is for reference purposes and does not replace a doctor's consultation.
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This content is for reference and does not replace a doctor's consultation. Medical disclaimer