Dementia and Alzheimer’s might not be why you’re losing your memory

While a little forgetfulness is common as we get older, more significant memory loss can be a sign of a serious memory problem.

“Impaired memory during aging was initially called age-associated cognitive decline or age-associated memory impairment, and is now sometimes referred to as mild cognitive decline,” Thomas C. Foster, Ph.D, Professor and Evelyn F. McKnight Chair for Research on Cognitive Aging and Memory at the University of Florida told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Memory conditions associated with mild cognitive decline may, according to Foster, be predictive of future dementia, however if caught early, it may be something you can combat.

“The mild memory deficits that are evident in middle age are associated with inflammation, stress, sleep disturbances and interactions