Forgetting what happened the day before, putting money in a cooking pot and asking the same questions again and again are signs of memory problems serious enough to warrant medical attention, according to Zhibek Zholdasova, head of the Center for the Treatment of Neuroses and Alzheimer’s Disease in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
«What should you look out for so you don’t miss memory issues? The most common sign is a decline in memory of recent events. A person struggles to recall what happened an hour ago, yesterday or a week ago,» the doctor said.
Keys in the fridge
As the doctor explained, memory loss typically begins with recent events and gradually moves back to the distant past. This means a person might clearly remember events from 20 or 40 years ago but struggle to retain information about the present.
«Due to memory decline, people forget where they put things and are constantly searching for them. You might even find items in strange places: keys in the fridge, butter in the cupboard or money in a cooking pot,» she noted.
Repeating the same things
Repetition is another distinct early symptom of dementia.
«This involves asking the same questions or recounting the same stories and facts, repeating the same thing several times a day, or even dozens of times. This can happen to anyone. However, as dementia develops, these symptoms become constant, daily occurrences that only intensify over time,» Zholdasova said.
Getting lost
Problems with spatial orientation can also be linked to short-term memory loss. According to the doctor, the brain memorizes its surroundings, such as trees, houses, parks, city blocks, cafes and shops, without any special effort. Once Alzheimer’s sets in, however, the brain stops retaining what it previously absorbed automatically.
«At first, orientation problems arise in unfamiliar places. For example, if you go on vacation, your parent might get lost in the hotel. Even by the end of the trip, they might still struggle to find the restaurant, the beach or their room. As the condition progresses, the person with dementia loses their bearings in their own neighborhood and, in the advanced stages of the disease, even within the rooms of their own home,» Zholdasova emphasized.
Scientists continue to search for the best ways to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but prevention remains difficult. However, both researchers and practicing doctors say that a healthy diet, physical activity, cognitive training, social engagement, stress management and good cardiovascular health are the best ways to reduce the risk of memory loss.
Scientists also believe that pursuing hobbies such as reading or dancing, especially from a young age, may contribute to better brain health.
