Where did I put my keys? When was my doctor’s appointment? With hectic daily schedules, misplacing something or forgetting one appointment of many is inevitable. However, when we begin asking these questions of ourselves with regularity, there is one central question that needs to be addressed: Is it simple forgetfulness or could it be dementia?

What Is Dementia?

Dementia is not a specific disease, but rather a term used to describe a range of symptoms related to a decline in memory and other cognitive skills that impair a person’s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, accounts for 60 to 80 percent of cases, followed by vascular dementia, which is a form of dementia associated with the aftermath of a stroke. Other forms of dementia may be reversible, including some thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies (e.g., vitamin B12 deficiency). Dementia is caused by damage to the brain cells, which interferes with sufferers' ability to communicate, impairing normal thinking, behavior and feelings.

Five million Americans, or roughly 1 in 9 people older than 65, suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Almost two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients are women. While symptoms of can vary greatly, at least two of the following must be significantly impaired for a person to have dementia: memory, communication and language, ability to focus and pay attention, reasoning and judgement, or visual perception.

Am I At Risk?

Some risk factors cannot be changed, including age and family history. But other risk factors can be mitigated by changes in lifestyle and diet, including:

● Alcohol consumption
● Blood pressure
● Cholesterol
● Depression
● Diabetes
● High estrogen levels
● Homocysteine blood levels
● Obesity
● Smoking