In between discussing how to save the planet, SirDavid Attenboroughrecently mentioned something that tapped directly into the fears of the worlds older residents: Hes having trouble remembering names. In his case, plant names.Agings biggest bugaboois memory loss, and the worry that someday we wont recognize our loved ones strikes fear in the heart of even the most laid-back boomer.So when the famed naturalist, who turns 91 in May, sat down with The Telegraph less than 24 hours after a trip to the Jura Mountains in Switzerland and noted that he hadnt remembered the name of a searing yellow plant in front of him (it was oilseed rape), some panic alarms went off. Attenborough told the Telegraph that he wascoming to terms with the idea that when finding the right words takes longer, you can run into problems. (He couldnt be reached for comment by HuffPost.)The question is how big a problem does Attenborough actually have. Is he struggling with some memory loss as most people his age will' Or is he experiencing excessive cognitive decline' And, of course, are the rest of us suddenly drawing parallels with our last senior moment'How much forgetfulness is normal'Forgetfulness isa normal part of growing older, according to the National Institute on Aging. With advancing years, changes occur in all parts of the body, including the brain. People may notice they dont remember information as well as they once did, or they misplace things more often. The NIA says these are usually just the signs of mild forgetfulness, not serious memory problems.Some difficulties with memory are related to health issues that may be treatable. Medication side effects, vitamin B12 deficiency, tumors or infections in the brain, and blood clots in the brain can cause memory loss. So can some thyroid, kidneyand liver disorders. So check with your doctor.Stress, anxiety and depression can also be contributing factors. Someone who has recently retired or who is coping with the death of a spousemay feel sad, lonely, worried or bored. Dealing with major life changes renders some people forgetful, the NIA says. The confusion and forgetfulness tied to emotions is usually temporary and goes away when the feelings fade.Fear of Alzheimers may be overblownYes, the number of people living with Alzheimers is on the rise. The latest reports say it afflicts1 in 10 peoplewho are older than 65.But a great many more than that worry about receiving the diagnosis. Alzheimers is the second-most feared disease among people age 55 and older, according to a 2010 survey by the MetLife Foundation. (Cancer is the first.)Alzheimers isthe most common type of dementia ' between 60 and 80 percent of all cases of dementia, according to the Alzheimers Association. Still, it doesnt account for all dementia. Early signs of Alzheimers include memory loss, confusion, difficulty communicating and anxiousness. Attenborough, a legendary TV host, told the Telegraph that writing scripts for his next nature series, Blue Planet II, has become more of a struggle as he cant so easily recall the names of his beloved plants.That said, the nonagenarian is traveling around the globe to film the follow-up to his famous Blue Planet series. And he confessed to his memory lapse during a major newspaper interview just hours after returning from an international trip. Thats not exactly cause for concern.The Telegraph also reported that Attenborough shuns the internet and social media, which is perhaps a good thing: He isnt worriedly searching his symptoms on WebMD. -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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