Mailbag: When to Worry About Memory Lapses

By Dr. Scott Olson, ND Posted April 24, 2024

“I’ve been experiencing some memory lapses recently, and I’m worried it might be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. My mother also had it. What symptoms should I look out for?”

– Ann

Hi Ann,

It’s important to recognize that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of life.

Our brains constantly process and store an immense amount of information, and it’s natural to forget specific details over time.

Consider this: if you only watched one movie in your entire life, you’d likely remember it vividly.

However, if you watch hundreds of movies each year, it’d be far more challenging to recall specific details of any given film. You could even entirely forget having watched some movies at all.

The same principle applies to recalling various aspects of our lives, such as all the music we’ve listened to, every name we’ve learned, and even what we ate for lunch yesterday.

So, while it may feel like your memory is deteriorating, it’s more often than not simply a result of the sheer amount of new information you’re exposed to constantly.

That being said, certain early warning signs could indicate a more serious issue with memory loss:

• Mood changes: While everyone experiences good and bad days, persistent negative mood changes (such as increased irritability, sadness, or pessimism) that don’t improve over time can be a cause for concern.
• Memory loss: It’s common to forget where you placed your keys or the name of someone you met recently. However, consistently struggling to retain newly learned information or relying heavily on notes and reminders to stay organized may indicate a more significant problem.
• Difficulty with familiar tasks: It may be a red flag if you suddenly struggle with tasks you’ve performed routinely throughout your life. For example, if you’ve always had a great sense of direction but suddenly find it challenging to navigate familiar routes, it could indicate an underlying issue.
• Word-finding difficulties: Frequently using phrases like “what’s his name” or “that thingamajig” due to difficulty finding the right words (a condition known as aphasia) can be an early sign of brain dysfunction.
• Confusion with time and place: While occasionally forgetting an appointment is normal, consistently missing appointments, losing track of the season, or forgetting recent events may signify a more serious problem.
• Visual challenges: Difficulty judging distances or distinguishing colors can be another early warning sign of memory loss.
• Social withdrawal: If you notice that someone is withdrawing from their usual activities and hobbies, it could be an early sign of Alzheimer’s disease or depression.

When evaluating these signs, it is crucial to look for new and consistent changes in your memory, behavior, or abilities.

In other words, misplacing your keys once in a while is NOT a major concern. But if it becomes a regular occurrence, it’s a good idea to make an appointment to discuss it with your doctor.

P.S. Concerned about brain burps? Try this 10-minute memory trick. [IMMEDIATE Results!]

Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND

Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.

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