Memory and Forgetfulness: What Is Normal and When to Worry

Every day brings new experiences and new things to learn. The brain cannot keep all of it, so it decides what is worth remembering. Memory is the process of storing that information and calling it back later.

Short-term and long-term

There are different kinds of memory. Short-term memory holds information for a few seconds or minutes; long-term memory holds it much longer.

Normal forgetting

Memory is never perfect, and as you get older it can take longer to recall things. Forgetting now and then is normal: everyone has forgotten a name, where they left their keys, or whether they locked the front door.

When to worry

If you are an older adult who forgets things more often than others your age, you may have mild cognitive impairment. Forgetting how to use your phone or how to get home can be a sign of something more serious, such as:

• Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia;
• stroke;
• depression;
• head injuries;
• blood clots or tumours in the brain;
• kidney, liver or thyroid problems;
• reactions to certain medicines.

If your forgetfulness worries you, see your health care provider.

Sources

• MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine, "Memory," drawing on the National Institute on Aging. https://medlineplus.gov/memory.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.