When “senior moments” turn SERIOUS [urgent!]

You know those “senior moments”?

Where are my keys?

When is my doctor’s appointment again?

What was I just saying?

Well, as if we didn’t have enough to worry about, some experts are advising us to redefine them.

Let’s take a closer look…

A red flag

Let me start by saying there are many instances where this type of forgetfulness is a perfectly normal part of aging.

But there’s a fine line between “normal” and the clinical definition of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

MCI is a stage that lives between expected age-related cognitive decline and the more serious degeneration of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). And estimates suggest 12 to 15 percent of adults 60 and older have it.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, regularly forgetting conversations, misplacing items, difficulty keeping your train of thought or inability to say a certain word can be attributable to MCI.

This is something more than four in five Americans are unaware of. In fact, according to a special report, 55 percent of respondents said these symptoms sound like “normal” parts of aging.

Sure, the symptoms ARE mild and unlikely to interfere with daily activities.

But if they persist—or at any time do interfere with daily life—it could already be too late.

Unfortunately, around 10 to 15 percent of people with MCI will develop dementia—and about half of those will develop AD.

That’s why early detection is important.

Always bring it up

There are many reasons why bouts of forgetfulness could be occurring. That said, I always advise addressing the issues with your doctor.

If symptoms don’t improve by enhancing other aspects of life that could interfere with cognition—like getting better sleep, nutrition, and more—it’s time look more closely at your brain health.

While I’m not here to discuss the new Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm (aducanumab), for those who desire a medication, it seems to have the greatest benefit when deployed in the earliest stages of cognitive decline.

Not to mention, there are over 100 treatments for MCI and dementia being evaluated in clinical trials and are at various stages of regulatory approval.

So, if you notice something’s off, DON’T be one of the 60 percent of surveyed people who said they wouldn’t see a doctor if they’re experiencing “senior moments.”

Bring it to your doctor’s attention as quickly as possible. There’s always something that can be done, regardless if its contributable to age or not.

P.S. Do you want the tools to help protect and restore memory, strengthen focus, and fight dementia? Check out my Alzheimer’s Prevention and Treatment Plan!

Source:

“Is It ‘Pre-Alzheimer’s’ or Normal Aging? Poll Finds Many Americans Unclear.” HealthDay, 03/15/2022. (healthday.com/health-news/neurology/3-15-is-it-pre-alzheimer-s-or-normal-aging-poll-finds-many-americans-unclear-2656861657.html)