Often forget when you are young? be alert for mild cognitive impairment

Being forgetful is a natural thing as you age. However, some people forget more easily than others, even though they are still relatively young. This condition is probably a sign of mild cognitive impairment or what is better known as mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

What is mild cognitive impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment is a decrease in cognitive function found in a person whose condition is more serious for individuals his or her age. This condition is related to brain nerve cells as organs that play a role in remembering and thinking, or medical history that affects blood flow to the brain.

What are the symptoms and features of mild cognitive impairment?

Because it is still relatively mild, this cognitive disorder does not really affect the activities or life of the sufferer. The most common symptoms of mild cognitive impairment include forgetting personal items, forgetting appointments or schedules that are not routine, and difficulty remembering someone's name. Some of these include symptoms of mild amnestic cognitive impairment.

In addition, cognitive disorders can also be nonamnestic in nature which affect thinking abilities. So that someone who experiences it often has difficulty organizing things, making plans, or providing judgments. Both memory and thinking disorders can occur simultaneously in the same person.

Because it has non-specific symptoms such as forgetfulness, the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment is quite complex. Examinations to confirm this disorder include a medical history, a family history of dementia, mental health status, and mental health checks to rule out mental health disorders with similar symptoms such as schizophrenia, depression, or bipolar disorder.

What causes mild cognitive impairment?

The cause of mild cognitive impairment is thought to be due to damage to a similar part of the brain in people with dementia. As a result there were several changes to:

• buildup of beta-amyloid plaque in the brain
• lack of blood flow to the brain
• some minor damage from a stroke
• shrinkage of certain parts of the brain
• swelling of the blood vessels of the brain due to fluid
• lack of glucose levels in the brain responsible for thinking

Will people with mild cognitive impairment develop dementia or Alzheimer's?

Mild cognitive impairment is not included as a symptom of dementia because the effects are not serious enough and sufferers can still carry out their own activities. However, this disorder is considered as an early symptom of dementia and can progress to Alzheimer's which is one of the symptoms of dementia.

However, only 10-15% of people with mild cognitive impairment end up with dementia. In some cases, damage to the brain can also be repaired with lifestyle changes. In addition, symptoms of mild cognitive impairment such as forgetfulness and difficulty thinking can be triggered by stress factors.

The most important factor in the progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia is age. In addition, if there are factors with a history of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes that increase the risk of dementia. Damage due to increased levels of amyloid protein in brain fluid circulation is also an important factor, but it will be difficult to identify and provide a definitive answer whether this mild cognitive impairment can develop into dementia.

How to prevent and treat mild cognitive impairment

Lifestyle changes are measures that can both prevent and inhibit the development of mild cognitive impairment. This is because brain damage can begin when a person is obese, or when there is a disturbance in the heart in the blood vessels that block the blood supply with oxygen to the brain. Efforts to maintain physical health in preventing cognitive decline can be done by:

• Routine physical activity
• Control blood pressure and blood sugar levels
• Quit smoking
• Implement a balanced nutritional pattern, especially by consuming protein, vegetable and fruit sources

In addition to maintaining physical health, people with mild cognitive impairment are also advised to participate in activities that stimulate cognitive abilities, such as being active in social activities, solving puzzles, and reading. However, until now, the decline in brain cognitive abilities and dementia cannot be treated with drug consumption. The combination of maintaining mental and physical health can improve cognitive abilities and prevent them from developing into dementia.