Is it normal to forget your age

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I want to get healthier. Close Health Alerts from Harvard Medical School Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Close Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Sign me up. Mild cognitive impairment MCI is an intermediate stage between normal age-related cognitive changes and the more serious symptoms that indicate dementia.

MCI can involve problems with memory, language, thinking, and judgment that are greater than normal age-related changes, but the line between MCI and normal memory problems is not always a clear one.

The difference is often one of degrees. If you have mild cognitive impairment, you and your family or close friends will likely be aware of the decline in your memory or mental function.

But, unlike people with full-blown dementia, you are still able to function in your daily life without relying on others. Some people with MCI plateau at a relatively mild stage of decline while others even return to normal. The course is difficult to predict, but in general, the greater the degree of memory impairment, the greater your risk of developing dementia some time in the future. If you get to that point, make an appointment as soon as possible to talk with your primary physician and have a thorough physical examination.

Your doctor can assess your personal risk factors, evaluate your symptoms, eliminate reversible causes of memory loss, and help you obtain appropriate care. Chances are the doctor will also ask you or your partner to keep track of your symptoms and check back in a few months.

If your memory problem needs more evaluation, your doctor may send you to a neuropsychologist. There are many other reasons why you may be experiencing cognitive problems, including stress, depression, and even vitamin deficiencies. Sometimes, even what looks like significant memory loss can be caused by treatable conditions and reversible external factors, such as:.

Depression can mimic the signs of memory loss, making it hard for you to concentrate, stay organized, remember things, and get stuff done. Vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 protects neurons and is vital to healthy brain functioning. In fact, a lack of B12 can cause permanent damage to the brain.

Older people have a slower nutritional absorption rate, which can make it difficult for you to get the B12 your mind and body need.

If you smoke or drink, you may be at particular risk. If you address a vitamin B12 deficiency early, you can reverse the associated memory problems. Treatment is available in the form of a monthly injection. Thyroid problems. Thyroid problems can cause memory problems such as forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.

Medication can reverse the symptoms. Alcohol abuse. Excessive alcohol intake is toxic to brain cells, and alcohol abuse leads to memory loss. Over time, alcohol abuse may also increase the risk of dementia. Because of the damaging effects of excessive drinking, experts advise limiting your daily intake to just drinks. Older adults are particularly susceptible to dehydration.

Severe dehydration can cause confusion, drowsiness, memory loss, and other symptoms that look like dementia. Be particularly vigilant if you take diuretics or laxatives or suffer from diabetes, high blood sugar, or diarrhea. Side effects of medication. Many prescribed and over-the-counter drugs or combinations of drugs can cause cognitive problems and memory loss as a side effect. This is especially common in older adults because they break down and absorb medication more slowly.

They can ask a family member, friend, or the doctor's office to remind them if they're worried they'll forget. Learn more about cognitive health and Alzheimer's and related dementias. Read about this topic in Spanish. ADEAR Center staff answer telephone, email, and written requests and make referrals to local and national resources.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke toll-free braininfo ninds. NIA scientists and other experts review this content to ensure it is accurate and up to date. What's normal forgetfulness and what's not? Read and share this infographic to learn whether forgetfulness is a normal part of aging. Signs that it might be time to talk to a doctor include: Asking the same questions over and over again Getting lost in places a person knows well Having trouble following recipes or directions Becoming more confused about time, people, and places Not taking care of oneself —eating poorly, not bathing, or behaving unsafely Mild cognitive impairment Some older adults have a condition called mild cognitive impairment , or MCI, meaning they have more memory or other thinking problems than other people their age.

Signs of MCI include: Losing things often Forgetting to go to important events or appointments Having more trouble coming up with desired words than other people of the same age If you have MCI, visit your doctor every six to 12 months to track changes in memory and other thinking skills over time. Dementia and aging Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Differences between normal aging and Alzheimer's disease Normal aging Alzheimer's disease Making a bad decision once in a while Making poor judgments and decisions a lot of the time Missing a monthly payment Problems taking care of monthly bills Forgetting which day it is and remembering it later Losing track of the date or time of year Sometimes forgetting which word to use Trouble having a conversation Losing things from time to time Misplacing things often and being unable to find them.

When to visit the doctor for memory loss If you, a family member, or friend has problems remembering recent events or thinking clearly, talk with a doctor. For more information about memory loss and forgetfulness.