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No, it's common and it will gradually increase. It has nothing to do with dementia. I've been working with several people in their 90s who are still mentally sh

by SiVal 7y ago

No, it's common and it will gradually increase. It has nothing to do with dementia. I've been working with several people in their 90s who are still mentally sharp enough that our work is based on my need for their expertise (nothing to do with their own health), and they universally complain about this "tip of the tongue" problem, which I began noticing in myself a few years back. It's frustrating but not a sign of dementia.

perl4ever 7y ago
"It has nothing to do with dementia" It might not be/probably isn't. It can be dementia, or drugs you are taking, or drugs you are not taking, or serious illness, or metabolic problems, or nothing at all. If it gets better, it wasn't dementia or terminal illness.
- SiVal 7y ago
  It doesn't have to get better to not be dementia. I agree that if there is a sudden increase, you should first ask yourself about recent lifestyle changes (sleep, alcohol/drugs, medicines, recent general anesthesia) and ask a doctor if you're still concerned. But although a sudden increase can be a symptom of something else--especially in combination with other symptoms--a gradual increase beginning in mid-life is a symptom of the "terminal illness" of ordinary aging.
  - michaelcampbell 7y ago
    > It doesn't have to get better to not be dementia. That may be true, but that's not what he said.
ido 7y ago
I have a variation of this problem, where I'd speak one language and the word I'm looking for would pop in another & the same in the language I'm actually using in the moment will remain frustratingly elusive (I speak 3 languages regularly - German with my wife & immediate environment, Hebrew with my mother & other relatives and English online/at work).
- lapnitnelav 7y ago
  Only bilingual but have a similar problem living in an English speaking country but practicing my native language regularly enough. I end up forgetting some pretty basic words in both languages quite regularly

by SiVal 7y ago

perl4ever 7y ago

"It has nothing to do with dementia" It might not be/probably isn't. It can be dementia, or drugs you are taking, or drugs you are not taking, or serious illness, or metabolic problems, or nothing at all. If it gets better, it wasn't dementia or terminal illness.

SiVal 7y ago
It doesn't have to get better to not be dementia. I agree that if there is a sudden increase, you should first ask yourself about recent lifestyle changes (sleep, alcohol/drugs, medicines, recent general anesthesia) and ask a doctor if you're still concerned. But although a sudden increase can be a symptom of something else--especially in combination with other symptoms--a gradual increase beginning in mid-life is a symptom of the "terminal illness" of ordinary aging.
- michaelcampbell 7y ago
  > It doesn't have to get better to not be dementia. That may be true, but that's not what he said.

ido 7y ago

I have a variation of this problem, where I'd speak one language and the word I'm looking for would pop in another & the same in the language I'm actually using in the moment will remain frustratingly elusive (I speak 3 languages regularly - German with my wife & immediate environment, Hebrew with my mother & other relatives and English online/at work).

lapnitnelav 7y ago
Only bilingual but have a similar problem living in an English speaking country but practicing my native language regularly enough. I end up forgetting some pretty basic words in both languages quite regularly