We have all been there. You know someone's name, remember the place or can almost say the word, but somehow it refuses to come out. You may even know exactly what you want to say, only for the word to suddenly return a few seconds or minutes later.
These occasional "tip-of-the-tongue" moments are usually a normal part of how the brain retrieves information. However, if difficulty finding familiar words becomes frequent, progressively worse or starts affecting everyday conversations, neurologists say it should not always be dismissed as ageing or a busy lifestyle. According to Dr Sindhuja, Senior Consultant Neurologist, VS Hospitals, Chennai, the pattern of these episodes matters.
What actually happens during a 'tip-of-the-tongue' moment?
"Tip-of-the-tongue state happens when the brain momentarily has difficulty in retrieving the word which is stored in the memory. The word may not necessarily be forgotten, but there could be an obstruction in its retrieval at that moment." In some instances, one may be aware of hints regarding the word but not able to say it out loud at once. Usually, the word pops up spontaneously after a few seconds or minutes without any special effort. The retrieval of the correct word needs the coordination of various parts of the brain that relate to language and memory. When retrieval becomes temporarily slower, the word may feel just out of reach even though the memory itself remains intact.
Stress and lack of sleep can make it happen more often
A demanding day can affect more than your mood. When the brain is under considerable pressure, retrieving information can become more difficult. Sleep deprivation and stress (emotional or mental) can lead to such temporary lapses. Ageing in general slows down the rate of retrieving information, which means that the elderly may take a little longer to remember a word without suffering from a neurological illness. This explains why forgetting a single word now and then is not always a sign of memory impairment.
When could difficulty finding words be a concern?
The frequency and progression of these episodes are important. If word-finding difficulties become increasingly frequent, start interfering with everyday conversations or occur alongside other changes in memory and thinking, they may need medical evaluation. Certain health conditions can also contribute to persistent difficulty with word retrieval. These include vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disorders, depression, anxiety and hearing impairment. Poorly controlled diabetes and blood pressure can also contribute to consistent retrieval difficulties.
When should you see a neurologist?
Word retrieval difficulties are something which should not be overlooked if they appear to be occurring with increasing frequency or severity. Other symptoms of a possible problem are consistently forgetting names of things or common words, difficulty following a conversation or communicating what you have to say, or changes noticed by loved ones in your behaviour or ability to remember things and use language. Confusion, getting lost in familiar places or struggling with routine daily activities are also reasons to seek medical advice. There is one situation where immediate medical attention is particularly important. If difficulty finding words occurs suddenly along with slurred speech, facial drooping, weakness or confusion, it could indicate a stroke and requires emergency medical attention.
What should you do when a word gets stuck?
More attempts at forcing the word out might not always work. In such cases, Dr Sindhuja advises pausing for a while and continuing speaking about the word by describing it or referring to it again later on. This allows the pathway to retrieval to connect naturally again. In addition to that, proper sleep, exercise, healthy eating, and stress management can also contribute to the maintenance of cognitive function. It is also important to control other existing conditions and keep social ties. Learning new skills can also assist with maintaining cognitive health.
Occasionally forgetting a word is usually a part of the natural process of word retrieval. However, what is more important is whether the occurrence of such events is frequent, worsening and happening together with other symptoms. Persistent issues with word retrieval, disorientation, problems with performing daily activities, and even such signs as facial weakness cannot be overlooked. Early recognition of such symptoms can help to find reversible causes of the problem and diagnose potential neurological disorders at an earlier stage.
Disclaimer: Tips and suggestions mentioned in the article are for general information purposes only and should not be construed as professional medical advice.
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