Q: I am a 60-year-old man and still working. I plan on retiring at 65, but I am concerned that my memory is not as good as it used to be, and perhaps I ought to retire sooner.
Am I getting Alzheimer’s or am I being affected by my stressful job? There is no one in my family who has had it. Also I do not sleep as well as I used to. Do you have any suggestions for me to improve my memory?
A: It is unlikely at your age that you are suffering from Alzheimer’s disease if there is no family history. One of the first signs of Alzheimer’s is getting lost in places that used to be familiar. This could mean being unable to find your way home or unable to find the exits of a previously familiar store.
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Forgetting where you put down your glasses or what you wanted to get out of the fridge are considered normal. A simple psychological test can be performed in the doctor’s office to determine the difference.
The brain is actually geared to forget things so it doesn’t suffer from information overload. In this age of stressful careers and computer and internet technology, it is easy to get into this state.
If you are having trouble sleeping, you could be suffering from a depressive illness or an anxiety disorder. Some other medical conditions, such as hypothyroidism or vitamin B12 deficiency, should also be ruled out.
Perhaps all you need is a long vacation for your brain to recuperate. Rather than taking the serious and permanent step of retiring early, you may want to consider taking a short-term stress leave.
Some researchers think that eating a diet rich in fish oils (omega 3 fatty acids) and fruits and vegetables high in flavinoids such as berries, oranges, spinach and broccoli can help your memory.
Be a little skeptical with herbal remedies such as gingko. There can sometimes be harmful side effects such as high blood pressure. Reduce alcohol consumption, and if you get more exercise, you will probably sleep better.
There are some exercises and tricks that can help improve memory. Do crossword puzzles or play Scrabble or chess. Read at least one or two newspaper articles daily and discuss a current topic with friends or family. Keep a diary and try to remember in detail what you did the day before. Try to make a conscious effort to pay attention to your surroundings and the people you meet on a casual basis.
If you are introduced to someone, say the name back to yourself several times in your head, and try to associate the name with something about the person or someone else you know with the same name.
Clare Rowson is a medical doctor with a practice near Belleville, Ont. Her columns are intended for general information only. Individuals are encouraged to also seek the advice of their own doctor regarding medical questions and treatments.
