Memory Matters: How Early Memory Issues Are Linked To Dementia in Women

Women diagnosed with Dementia experience a range of symptoms that affect their memory, and thus, affect their ability to handle everyday routines. One San Francisco study set out to find ways the medical community could spot potential risk factors early on in women. Dementia has a host of both physical and mental symptoms, but the researchers at the VA Medical Center focused on one particularly important symptom, acute memory loss.  Over an 18-year period, researchers asked more than 1,000 female participants over the age of 65 if they were having problems remembering things, more so than friends and family. At the beginning of the study, almost 90 participants reported having issues with memory loss. At the end of the study, researchers found that half of the participants who documented memory loss at the start of the study were already diagnosed with either Dementia or cute cognitive issues. While researchers do acknowledge that some memory issues are a result of the normal aging process, there are still things people can do to keep their cognitive health strong, like exercising, eating right, regular sleep, and staying mentally stimulated through activities.