Myths That Could Be Hurting Your Memory

When your memory begins to slip, it makes everything in your life more challenging. Your work, health, finances, relationships, and independence are all likely to suffer. If you’re like most people, you probably have certain beliefs about cognitive decline. However, many of those accepted views are wrong. And they could be hurting your memory.

When it comes to your ability to remember, it’s important to know the facts. Here, we debunk 7 common memory myths and show you how to supercharge your brain and improve your memory.

If you’re like most people, you probably have certain beliefs about memory. However, many of those accepted beliefs are wrong. And they could be hurting your memory.
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7 COMMON MEMORY MYTHS

MYTH #1: It’s normal to experience memory loss as you age.

FACT: If you’re in your 40s or beyond and you’re routinely forgetting where you put your keys, having difficulty remembering what you read in an article, or having trouble recalling people’s names, you may think it’s normal.

It’s common for friends, family members, and even medical professionals to downplay forgetfulness. A physician may even tell you that you have mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and reassure you that it’s normal for your age.

But it isn’t.

Memory loss at any age need to be taken seriously. Developing brain fog or becoming increasingly forgetful in your 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s or even 80s may be common, but it’s not normal. It’s a sign of trouble.

MYTH #2: If you’re struggling with memory loss, it’s definitely Alzheimer’s disease.

When people experience memory loss, they usually fear that it’s Alzheimer’s disease. However, poor memory can be due to many different causes.

For example, causes of memory loss can include hypothyroidism, exposure to toxic mold or environmental toxins, inflammation, infections, concussions and traumatic brain injuries, dehydration, diabetes, insomnia, and medication side effects.

In addition, mental health disorders, such as clinical depression, anxiety disorders, and ADD/ADHD can contribute to memory impairment.

It’s also important to remember that Alzheimer’s disease isn’t the only type of dementia, although it does account for 60-80% of dementia cases. There are several types of dementia, including:

• Frontotemporal dementia
• Lewy Body dementia
• Vascular dementia

MYTH #3: The only way to tell if memory loss is due to Alzheimer’s disease is through autopsy.

The notion that you can only determine if Alzheimer’s is to blame for cognitive dysfunction is through autopsy is wrong. Functional brain imaging with SPECT scans can help identify blood flow and activity patterns associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions.

At Amen Clinics, which has performed over 250,000 SPECT scans, overall low blood flow in the brain is the top brain-imaging predictor that a person will develop Alzheimer’s.

Healthy SPECT Scan

Alzheimer’s Disease SPECT Scan

SPECT can also help identify other causes of memory loss. For example, SPECT scans can show brain patterns linked to depression, head trauma, infections, exposure to toxins, and more.

Seeing the patterns on the scans helps medical and mental health professionals ask better questions to get to the root cause of the issue. Without brain imaging, it’s much more challenging to make an accurate diagnosis. 

MYTH #4: Young people don’t have to worry about memory loss.

FACT: Approximately 40% of people who are 65 years old or older experience some degree of memory impairment. However, one study published in BMJ shows that memory loss can start as early as 45. This emphasizes why it’s so important to start protecting your memory as early as possible.

People who are middle-aged may think that forgetting things like where you placed your glasses are just minor issues, but they’re an early warning sign that your memory could be in trouble.

The brain-imaging work at Amen Clinics clearly shows that harmful brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease begin in the brain years or even decades before symptoms appear. This means the brain is already deteriorating long before major memory issues occur.

MYTH #5:  Alzheimer’s only happens to the elderly.

FACT: An estimated 50% of people 85 years old and older are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. But that doesn’t mean that these are the only cases.

Early-onset dementia and early-onset Alzheimer’s is defined as disease occurring in people under the age of 65. Statistics from the Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) Health Index show that a growing number of Americans are being affected by the early-onset forms of these conditions.

That data show that in 2017, about 131,000 individuals between the ages of 30 and 64 received a diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. That represented a 200% increase over 2013 numbers.

MYTH #6: Memory loss is always the first sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

Memory loss can be one of the early signs of Alzheimer’s disease, but it is not always the first symptom. Other early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include poor judgment, losing track of time, loss of sense of smell, strange visual problems, trouble managing finances, difficulty finding the right words, misplacing items, and getting lost in familiar places.

Additional signs include social isolation and changes in mood or personality. For example, some people become fearful and suspicious, while others develop depression and anxiety.

MYTH #7: Once your memory starts to fail, it’s too late to do anything about it.

FACT: Just because you’re starting to have memory problems doesn’t mean it has to continue getting worse. There are many strategies that can help improve memory. That’s because Alzheimer’s is a lifestyle disease.

For example, eating a healthy diet, challenging your brain with new learning, getting regular exercise, and reducing chronic stress can support the brain. Engaging in these healthy activities can actually increase the size of your hippocampus, the part of your brain associated with memory.

On the flip side, avoiding activities that harm the brain can also be beneficial. If you want to keep your mind sharp, eliminate excessive alcohol intake, stop using marijuana or other drugs, and avoid environmental toxins.

 If you take good care of your brain and body, your risk of dementia can significantly decline. Keep in mind, taking preventative measures is the best way to avoid Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Being serious about brain health has no age limit especially when a better brain means it can help improve your mood, health, appearance, memory, and body. You can create a brain-healthy life by learning how to love and care for the most important part of your body—your brain.

Memory loss, cognitive decline, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.