How many times have you forgotten your keys? Or how many times have you forgotten a person’s birthday and they are a person you shouldn’t have forgotten? Perhaps too many times to mention!
So these examples of memory lapses don’t typically raise an alarm bell. However, when these types of occurrences happen more often than not, then it can be a signal of something more serious, such as a decline in cognitive function.
Cognitive decline is usually expected as we age. It’s an inherent aspect of aging, signifying that our brain isn’t functioning as optimally as it once did. As we reach midlife, we might begin noticing these changes more prominently. As for your friends and family, they will probably notice before you do.
There are various causes for cognitive decline, ranging from degenerative brain diseases and vitamin deficiencies to traumatic brain injuries, medications, or vascular diseases. Additionally, poor heart health, substance abuse, high cholesterol, and blood sugar levels, not to mention a sedentary lifestyle, can all contribute to and be potential risk factors.
It’s important to realize that occasional forgetfulness or memory lapses don’t automatically indicate a severe condition is on the horizon. It’s not an automatic road to getting diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. Yet, if you notice these changes are occurring more frequently than not, and especially if they are starting to impact your daily life, it could mean you need to investigate why. These signs could be indicative of cognitive decline.
Signs To Look Out For
So now let’s take a look at some of the early signs you can watch out for. Remember, they are not necessarily cause for alarm.
Forgetting or Losing Items
As we said above, forgetting things can be a sign. So ask yourself if you are more forgetful than usual. It’s completely normal to forget where you put your glasses or the name of the character who played the hero in the film you watched last night. They are not vitally important things to remember.
However, if losing things, or forgetting things you have always remembered is happening more often than what is considered ‘normal’ then that can be an early sign of cognitive decline.
Difficulty Concentrating
Another sign is if you have a hard time focusing or concentrating when you really need to. You may also find it tough to stay focused on what people are saying, and your mind may start to wander. This can make it challenging to get things done or have conversations, because you are distracted.
However, if the people talking to you are boring you, then don’t stress! You are not suffering from mental decline, you are suffering from having to listen to a conversation that’s not stimulating you. It’s just boredom, not a serious problem, well not for you anyway.
Slower Thinking
If your thinking slows, it may take you longer to process information or figure things out. If you are becoming slow to think things through, you might find it harder to solve problems or come up with immediate solutions. This can affect how you make sense of things around you and keep up with your daily activities.
Tip-of-the Tongue Moments
Have you ever played word games and the word you want is right there but you just can’t think of it? It’s right on the tip of your tongue! This is a normal scenario, however, if you find yourself encountering this situation more regularly then there may be a problem. Plus, these experiences can be incredibly frustrating, to say the least.
Mood Swings
You might experience frequent mood changes if your emotions are all over the place. You might feel irritable, anxious, or down and depressed more often than usual. These mood swings can be upsetting and mess with your ability to remember things and think clearly.
Difficulty Learning New Things
Midlife cognitive decline may also show if you have difficulty learning new things. You might find it challenging to absorb new skills compared to before. For example, it may also be getting harder for you to understand complex ideas or remember new information that you are trying to learn.
Difficulty Socializing
Are you not as interested in socializing as you once were? If it is becoming difficult for you to want to be in social settings this can also be a sign of midlife cognitive decline. If you do feel disinterested in social or family gatherings, you may be silently withdrawing from your friends or loved ones.
You Can Still Do Something
Everyone’s brain ages differently, and it’s normal to experience some signs of brain function decline, but it’s not set in stone, and all downhill from here. So if some of the signs are showing up for you, you can still take action to help keep your mind sharp. Make sure you keep your brain active doing whatever you can and enjoy doing, eat well, and get enough sleep. It’s also important to make sure you keep on learning new things and socializing! Don’t stop even if it gets harder and you don’t want to.
If you find yourself frequently experiencing the signs mentioned above and feel concerned about them, seeking guidance from a doctor can provide clarity on what might be happening and what you can do to address it all. Don’t hesitate to reach out to medical professionals for assistance as early intervention can be pivotal in preventing midlife cognitive decline progressing into more severe conditions. Take control while you can!
