Many people experience loss of memory for different reasons, with some being more serious than others.
In many cases, memory loss occurs as we grow older and our brain's ability to process information slows down. This is known as mild cognitive impairment. If you have mild cognitive impairment your memory declines more rapidly than in other people and you are at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is a serious condition that causes a decline in your memory and eventually in your thinking until it significantly interferes with your daily life.
If you think that your memory loss is for a reason other than the aging process, then you must consult your doctor. Although there is no therapy or treatment available to reverse the loss, there are certain treatments currently under research that may slow down or even stop further memory loss.

Memory and aging

Memory can be categorised as short term and long term. Commonly, memory loss is short-term, in other words you will forget very recent information e.g. when directory enquiries gives you a telephone number, you will often forget it before you try to dial it.
There are also certain problems that are associated with our long-term memory. It is very common to forget a very old friend's name when you meet them after a long time. Individuals who have normal memory loss associated with aging sometimes misplace an item, forget someone's name, or forget to pick something up at the shop.

Changes in memory due to aging are the result of a combination of things which includes physiological changes in the brain, slowing down of the brain’s ability to process information, certain diseases, and the use of certain medications.

Mild cognitive impairment

Mild cognitive impairment is a different medical condition that is totally separate to, and more serious than memory loss associated with aging. If you have mild cognitive impairment you may have difficulty in learning new information or remembering previously learned material. You may also have frequent incidents of forgetfulness. This disorder does not have any specific symptoms and only a doctor can make the proper diagnosis. However there are certain things that may suggest that you have developed this disorder. These include regularly having difficulty recalling names, finding the right word, retaining information just received, or feeling lost in a familiar location.

Dementia

Dementia is a disease of the brain that causes serious changes in memory, personality and behaviour. This disorder seriously affects your ability to perform your daily routine. Dementia may cause you to ask the same question repeatedly, feel lost in familiar places, feel disoriented about the environment or to neglect your own personal hygiene.

There are two common forms of dementia in older people, one is known as Alzheimer's disease and the other as vascular dementia. Neither type is curable. With Alzheimer's disease, large numbers of cells in the brain become useless because of changes in the nerve cells. Symptoms, which include forgetfulness and deterioration in thinking and performing routine activities, steadily become worse as the disease progresses.

In vascular dementia, brain tissues are likely to become useless due to small strokes or changes in the blood supply of the brain. The severity of the problem is determined by the location of occurrence of such strokes in the brain. People with dementia may show signs of improvement or remain stable until such time as another stroke occurs in the brain.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of memory loss is based on symptoms (as you and your family notice them), several tests, the medical and family history of the patient. While evaluating you, the doctor will look for the following information:

• Medical history to check your mental and physical condition, to rule out other illness which can resemble dementia such as depression

• Physical examination to check the pulse, blood pressure etc.

• Blood and urine tests to check if there is any other problem that is causing the dementia that might be easily corrected

• Mental status is evaluated to check your ability to remember, to understand, to communicate and to perform simple calculations. Some people will feel that they have more of a problem than they actually have while others will not have noticed the extent of their problem

• MRI or CT of the brain may be done, particularly if your doctor suspects a specific cause for your memory loss

• Psychiatric evaluation may be done to assess whether there is any emotional factor

Treatment

Although there is no cure yet, you can reduce your risk of memory loss and improve your memory. Things you can do include:

• Consult your doctor about the presence of other health problems such as hypertension, heart disease, stress, or diabetes. Depression may resemble dementia. Effective treatment of these conditions may boost your memory.

• You should immediately stop smoking

• Stop using any illegal drugs

• Reduce your alcohol consumption.

• Memory loss can also be caused by head injuries, therefore take precautions to avoid head injury, like avoid climbing on chairs or ladders.

Making positive changes in your lifestyle can enhance memory capacity. The following are some factors that may result in some positive improvement in your memorising capability.

• Give yourself time to relax regularly.
• Eat a well balanced diet.
• Try to exercise regularly. There has always been a strong emphasis on an active body for an active mind.
• Always try to keep your brain active, for example, reading newspapers, doing crossword puzzles and learning new things. 
• Keep a regular daily routine
  

Written by Medpages Editorial Team
Last Editorial Review: 15/1/2010