Forgetfulness is not a disease, experts say

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) -- a division of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) -- also states on their Web site that forgetfulness can be a normal part of aging, not a disease; as the years progress, learning new things and remembering names and words that we have known before take more time. These are generally the signs of normal forgetfulness, not a serious one.

According to Özkardeş, forgetfulness can be defined as memory loss, or dysmnesia. Memory has parts storing short-term and long-term information. Accordingly, memory losses can have short-term or long-term effects.

Experts say memory problems can be serious when they progress, but then what are serious memory problems? Serious memory problems disrupt one's daily activities such as driving, shopping or spending money, Özkardeş stated. “Serious memory problems can be getting lost in a place you have known before, asking the same questions again and again, not being able to obey direction signs, not being sure about the time, places or people and not being able to provide self-care. If you have these problems, you should consult a doctor. It is very important to find the reason behind a serious memory problem, because treatment depends on that reason,” he added.  

Main causes of forgetfulness are head traumas, dehydration (having insufficient water in the body), hypothyroidism (a common endocrine disorder resulting from deficiency of thyroid hormone) or vitamin deficiency (especially vitamin B12). Depression is also a psychological cause of forgetfulness; it is generally called pseudo-dementia, a severe form of depression resulting from a progressive brain disorder in which cognitive changes mimic those of dementia. At older ages, the most common cause of progressive forgetfulness is dementia; Alzheimer's disease (AD) is dementia's most common cause. Dementia affects all life events slowly and brings about neuron (nerve cell) loss in the brain.

Treatment depends on the memory problem

Özkardes says if there is a specific cause of forgetfulness, treatment is provided according to that reason such as giving the body water when there is a dehydration problem, regulating thyroid functions when the person has hypothyroidism or giving vitamin in case of vitamin deficiency. On the other hand, there is no treatment for Alzheimer's disease, but it is possible to try medicine in order to prevent the disease from getting worse. “Additionally, treatments can be directed at behavioral and psychological problems. Many things can be done to keep the memory alive. Learning new skills, continuing intellectual activities such as writing, reading, participating and working in social communities, doing memory exercises, spending time with family and friends, employing methods to assist the memory such as using a calendar, making lists and taking notes, doing physical exercise, eating properly and healthily and not drinking alcohol or smoking are some methods to keep the memory active,” said Özkardeş. He also advises people to put their wallets, keys and glasses in the same place every day. Memory enhancement techniques can be effective, according to Özkardeş.

Alzheimer's disease not a form of forgetfulness

Alzheimer's disease is generally thought to be a form of forgetfulness, but it is not so. While forgetfulness is a common problem -- not a disease -- for almost everybody, Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal brain disease. It is the most common form of dementia, a general term for the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities serious enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimer's destroys brain cells, causing problems with memory and thinking behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies and social life. Alzheimer's gets worse over time and is fatal. Today it is the seventh-leading cause of death in the US, according to research conducted by the Alzheimer's Association, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. This association lists 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's: forgetting recently known information, challenges in planning or solving problems, difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure, confusion with time or place, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, new problems with words in speaking or writing, misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps, decreased or poor judgment, withdrawal from work or social activities and changes in mood and personality.