Cognitive decline refers to a gradual worsening of brain functions like memory, reasoning, attention, and language. It is a normal part of the aging process, but can be accelerated by medical conditions like Alzheimer's disease.
As we get older, our brain physiology changes in ways that make cognitive tasks more difficult. For example, important neurotransmitters like acetylcholine and dopamine decrease, connections between neurons may be lost, and brain matter shrinks. These changes often manifest as:
Mild cognitive decline is common in seniors but doesn't severely impact daily living. However, some people experience serious issues remembering important details, following story plots, doing finances, taking medications properly, or performing other safety-sensitive tasks. This can indicate an underlying condition like:
If you feel your mental sharpness declining more than normal aging, talk to your doctor about an evaluation. Early intervention can help identify reversible causes like medication side effects, sleep problems, stress, or vitamin deficiencies. For irreversible diagnoses like Alzheimer's, starting treatment right away provides the best odds of slowing progression.
While we don't have full control over changes that come with older age, certain lifestyle habits can help maintain cognitive health longer:
At Hormone Wellness Center, we also advise checking your hormone levels, especially thyroid, cortisol and sex hormones. Hormone imbalance sometimes contributes to brain fog and memory impairment in older adults. Our cutting-edge hormone therapy programs can help restore optimal levels tailored to your unique needs.
I hope this overview gives you a helpful understanding of cognitive decline due to aging. Let me know if you have any other questions!