Why you're forgetting words more often (and why it isn't always dementia)
Occasional word-finding difficulties are common and can be influenced by stress, fatigue and normal ageing. On its own, it should not be viewed as evidence of dementia.
Have you ever walked into a room and forgotten why you were there, or paused in the middle of a conversation because the right word simply would not come? It happens to most people, and while it can be frustrating, it is not always a sign that something is seriously wrong.
Health experts say occasional lapses in memory or word-finding are common, particularly as people grow older. Dementia, however, is not a normal part of ageing. The important difference is that normal forgetfulness may slow you down from time to time, while dementia gradually affects a person's ability to carry out everyday activities independently.
Finding the right word is a surprisingly complex task. The brain stores thousands of words and meanings, then retrieves them in fractions of a second during conversation. When people are tired, distracted, stressed or trying to do several things at once, that retrieval process can take a little longer. The word is often still there, but accessing it becomes less efficient.
Modern life may also play a role. Constant notifications, multitasking and information overload demand attention throughout the day. Memory specialists have long pointed out that attention is closely linked to memory. If the brain never has a chance to focus properly on information in the first place, recalling it later becomes more difficult. Poor sleep, anxiety, depression, some medications and vitamin deficiencies can also contribute to memory lapses that are unrelated to dementia.
Researchers are continuing to study speech and memory because subtle changes in the way people communicate can provide valuable information about brain health. Recent research found that frequent pauses while searching for words may reflect changes in executive functioning, which includes planning, attention and mental flexibility. The researchers also stressed that occasional word-finding difficulties are common and can be influenced by stress, fatigue and normal ageing. On its own, it should not be viewed as evidence of dementia.
There are, however, situations where medical advice should be sought. Forgetting the names of close family members, becoming lost in familiar places, repeatedly asking the same questions, struggling to complete everyday tasks or experiencing memory problems that interfere with daily life should not be dismissed as normal ageing. These changes warrant an assessment by a healthcare professional to identify the cause.
For everyone else, occasional forgetfulness is usually just that - occasional. Getting enough sleep, exercising regularly, managing stress, staying socially active and keeping the mind engaged through reading, learning and conversation all contribute to better brain health over time.
While nobody remembers every word all the time, paying attention to overall health may do more for memory than worrying about the occasional lapse.
Anchen Coetzee
Lynette Spencer
Liz Thorne
Mariana Balt
