David Attenborough health: Seven Worlds, One Planet host’s struggle with memory

David Attenborough, 93, is returning to the BBC narrating a new nature series, Seven Worlds, One Planet. Considered a national treasure in the UK, David has come to present a huge number of nature and animal documentaries over the years.

READ MORE

• Angela Rippon health: Supplement star used to get rid of visceral fat

But two years ago, while preparing for Blue Planet II, he admitted he was taking longer to write the script because of struggles with recalling “proper names”.

The naturalise admitted in 2017 he was “coming to terms” with the fact when it takes longer to find the right words, you can “run into problems”.

Speaking to The Sunday Telegraph 24 hours after a trip to the Jura Mountains in Switzerland, David added: “There were these searing yellow fields and I can’t think of the damn name.

“I wanted to say something about it but I couldn’t and it wasn’t until we got quite close to Geneva that I thought, of course, oil seed rape.”

But the broadcaster has shown no signs of slowing down after narrating Our Planet in 2019 and Dynasties in 2018.

What are the causes of memory loss?

It’s considered normal for people to forget things from time to time. Memory loss can just be a natural part of getting older.

Sometimes it may be triggered by stress, anxiety or depression, or sleeping problems, all of which are treatable.

But the NHS advises if you keep having problems with memory you should see your GP.

It says “See a GP if memory problems are affecting your day-to-day life.

“It’s probably nothing serious, but it’s best to get checked because any treatment you need may work better if it’s started early.”

Occasionally, memory loss can be a sign of something more serious, such as dementia.

The health body adds: “If you’e becoming increasingly forgetful, particularly if you’re over the age of 65, it may be a good idea to talk to your GP about the early signs of dementia.”

READ MORE

• Michelle Visage health: Strictly Come Dancing star’s ‘chronic illness’

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological condition that affect the brain.

There are more than 200 subtypes, but the five most common are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia.

Dementia UK explains what causes dementia: The brain is made up of nerve cells (neurones) that communicate with each other by sending messages.

“Dementia damages the nerve cells in the brain so messages can’t be sent from and to the brain effectively, which prevents the body from functioning normally.

“Regardless of which type of dementia is diagnosed and what part of the brain is affected, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.”

While symptoms differ depending on the type and can affect everyone differently, some general symptoms are noted by the NHS.

These include:

• Memory loss
• Thinking speed
• Mental sharpness and quickness
• Language
• Understanding
• Judgement
• Mood
• Movement
• Difficulties carrying out daily activities

Source: Read Full Article