Suffering From Memory Loss? Doctor Shares Ways To Recognise Early Signs Of Brain Disorders

Memory lapses can be normal, especially with age or fatigue. But when forgetfulness becomes persistent or interferes with daily life, it could be a sign of an underlying brain disorder. A study published in the American Academy of Neurology has projected that there will be approximately 4.9 billion cases of brain disorders by 2050 which shows a 22% leap from 2021 estimates. The rapid increase in chronic stress, social isolation and poor lifestyle choices throughout the world is contributing to this rise, not just among the elderly but younger populations as well. In such a situation, it is important for everyone to recognise even seemingly insignificant symptoms of brain disorders like memory loss.

In a conversation with The Daily Jagran, Dr. Apurva Sharma, Consultant – Neurology, Manipal Hospital, Gurugram explained ways to recognise early signs of brain disorders.

Is it just forgetfulness or a sign of something serious?

Occasional lapses like forgetting about an appointment, misplacing car keys or blanking on a name are common, especially if one is stressed or approaching old age. The problem arises when forgetfulness turns into a pattern and begins interfering with everyday life. Having consistent issues in remembering things one could previously recall can be a sign of memory loss, which in turn can point towards a serious disorder. More specifically, it refers to difficulty in forming, storing or recalling memories. Mild memory loss usually signals mild cognitive impairment (MCI). At this stage, an individual’s daily functioning remains the same but noticeable changes can be observed in their speech patterns and behaviour. It can sometimes be an early sign of developing dementia.

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Red Flags Of Brain Disorders You Should Not Ignore

Brain disorders include mental health disorders, neurological conditions and cerebrovascular diseases such as depression, dementia and stroke. These conditions often appear silently or with symptoms so subtle that they are commonly attributed to stress, fatigue or ageing. Apart from memory loss, there are several other signs that could indicate cognitive decline:

Persistent Headaches: Frequent headaches that become more intense with time or do not go away even after resting should not be ignored, as they can be a sign of brain tumour or intracranial pressure. They may even be accompanied by nausea and vomiting.

Loss Of Coordination: Sudden or unexpected dizziness, difficulty walking and loss of balance can mean that there is a problem in the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. This is a symptom of autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis or progressive ones like Parkisnon’s.

Brain Fog: Mental haze or brain fog can literally feel as if a fog has settled in the brain, making it hard to make decisions, think clearly and concentrate on tasks. These changes are mild at first but worsen over time.

Seizures: Abnormal electrical activity in the brain due to neurological conditions like epilepsy and can cause abnormal movements with loss of responsiveness.

Problems With Vision: Changes in vision like blurred or double vision must not be ignored.

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Why early detection matters?

As brain disorders continue to rise globally, early recognition of warning signs becomes more important than ever. Whether it's memory loss, mood changes or physical symptoms like tremors or imbalance, these signals should not be ignored.