40 Times Forgetful People Messed Up Really Bad (New Pics)

Especially for aging adults, memory problems can be a precursor to more serious cognitive issues. But before you hit the panic button, it’s worth knowing the typical lapses that, according to Harvard Medical School, are still considered normal. 

Absentmindedness, for example, happens when we fail to pay close attention to what we are doing. It could very well be a case of having a busy, preoccupied mind, and the brain wasn’t able to encode information securely.

Mental blocks are another form of memory lapse that shouldn’t be a cause for concern. It’s another common occurrence as we age, wherein, for some reason, a piece of information we already know suddenly slips us. It could be an answer to a question or even someone’s name. 

Studies have shown that people can retrieve blocked memories in as little as one minute.

So, how can you tell that memory loss has reached alarming levels? Dr. Alexanda Petrakos, who works as a geriatrician at Northwestern Medicine, says it’s when forgetfulness begins to interfere with everyday life. 

Some examples she mentioned include the frequent repetition of questions, misplacing items in unusual places, such as a freezer, and forgetting routine tasks like paying bills. 

Other signs Dr. Petrakos mentioned were getting lost in a familiar area and having trouble managing medications at home. When these symptoms persist, she advises getting cognitive screening tests. 

"If your results are abnormal, your physician will refer you to a specialist, such as a neurologist, geriatrician, or neuropsychologist, for further evaluation,” she said.

Now, if you’re fortunate enough not to have memory problems, there are ways to preserve it. Cedars-Sinai geriatrician Dr. Zaldy S. Tan urges getting enough sleep, engaging in regular exercise, eating a healthy diet, and participating in social interactions. 

Dr. Tan also advises against using prescription sleep aids and benzodiazepines and recommends being aware of drastic mood changes. But his most important piece of advice is proper stress management because elevated cortisol levels are an “underrecognized” cause of memory loss.