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5 Indications That Your Memory Loss Warrants A Discussion With A Healthcare Professional

Discover five key signs that indicate your forgetfulness warrants professional attention
Julie Keller Callaghan

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Memory loss is a common concern with aging, but certain symptoms may require deeper investigation and professional intervention. While occasional forgetfulness is normal, persistent or worsening memory lapses could indicate you’re suffering from underlying health issues, including dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

These are the five signs that indicate your memory loss warrants discussion with a healthcare professional, notes Usay Compare, a comparison service for health insurance, life insurance, and income protection comparison services.

  1. It Disrupts Your Daily Life

When memory lapses start to interfere significantly with your daily activities, for example, if you start forgetting important appointments, repeating questions in conversations, or getting lost in familiar places, it’s time to seek professional advice. These disruptions indicate something more than just typical absentmindedness and may require assessment.

  1. You Have a Rapid Decline In Memory Function

While some memory decline is expected with age, a rapid or noticeable decline in memory function over a short period shouldn’t be ignored. For instance, struggling to retain recently learned information or forgetting how to perform routine tasks that were once effortless can signal potential cognitive impairment that warrants evaluation.

  1. You Have Difficulty with Problem-Solving And Planning

Memory loss often extends beyond mere forgetfulness to impact cognitive functions like problem-solving and planning. If you or a loved one frequently struggles with tasks requiring logical reasoning, decision-making, or organizing their thoughts, it may be a red flag for underlying cognitive decline that requires medical attention.

  1. Changes In Your Mood or Personality

Memory issues associated with conditions like dementia can sometimes manifest as changes in mood or personality. These changes may include increased irritability, confusion, anxiety, or withdrawal from social activities. Mood fluctuations can stem from various factors, but when coupled with memory problems, they should prompt a discussion with your healthcare professional.

  1. You Have Difficulty Remembering Recent Events

Forgetting recent events or conversations shortly after they occur can indicate more than just a minor memory lapse. This type of memory loss, known as short-term memory impairment, can affect one’s ability to retain and recall new information, impacting your daily functioning and quality of life.

How To Know When You Need Treatment

It’s essential to consider the frequency, severity, and impact of memory issues on your daily life to distinguish occasional lapses from more significant cognitive impairment. Occasional forgetfulness, such as misplacing your keys or forgetting a word momentarily, is typical and may not necessarily warrant concern.

However, persistent or worsening memory problems that interfere with your daily functioning and quality of life should prompt a discussion with your healthcare professional to rule out any underlying medical conditions and explore appropriate management strategies.

About The Author
julieKeller_author-1

Julie is the co-founder of Well Defined and a longtime influencer and advocate in the wellness world. Along with her work at Well Defined, she is an executive recruiter and marketing specialist for Hutchinson Consulting. She is also a consultant and content strategist for numerous wellness brands. She is the former editor-in-chief and publisher of American Spa and was named a 2019 Folio Top Woman in Media in the Industry Trailblazers category and a 2018 winner of ISPA’s Innovate Award. She is also a seasoned journalist, specializing in spa, travel, health, fitness, wellness, sustainability, and beauty. She has been published in Departures, ForbesTraveler.com, E! Online, Gayot.com, Insider’s Guide to Spas, Luxury Travel Advisor, Marin Magazine, Ocean Home, Smart Meetings, Spa Asia, and Travel Agent.