The first thing that comes to mind when you have trouble remembering things is probably Alzheimer’s disease, but this isn’t the only reason for memory loss.
Sometimes, we all forget things. Maybe you lost your car keys or can’t remember the name of someone you just met. It’s fairly typical as people age to experience some memory issues as well as a mild decline in other cognitive abilities. But there is a distinction between memory loss brought on by Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders, as opposed to changes in memory that are normal.
Additionally, some memory issues are the result of conditions that are curable. To get a diagnosis and the right care if you are experiencing memory issues, speak with your healthcare provider. Occasionally, one or more of the following problems might be at play. Let’s know the most common Causes of Memory Loss.
1. Trouble Sleeping
Memory loss and dementia have been associated with sleep disorders, such as insomnia, the persistent inability to fall or stay asleep, and sleep apnea, which causes breathing to stop repeatedly throughout the night. Fatigue brought on by sleep deprivation can result in memory loss and brain fog.
People with sleep apnea and insomnia were found to be less likely than those without these conditions to perform well on tests meant to measure memory, according to a study published in the Journal of Sleep Research in May 2022. A study discovered that sleep apnea impairs spatial navigational memory when left untreated.
Remembering where you put things, such as your keys, and where you put directions are all examples of this type of memory. According to one theory, people with sleep apnea experience hundreds of interruptions in the flow of oxygen to the brain throughout the night. People awaken because the disruption of oxygen stresses the brain. Memory loss symptoms can vary depending on the damage that sleeps apnea causes.
2. Silent Stroke
One of the most frequent Causes of Memory Loss is silent stroke. Strokes that close off important blood vessels in the brain can cause clear changes in a person’s capacity to think and move normally. Additionally, silent strokes that affect smaller blood vessels can gradually cause mild memory issues. Vascular cognitive impairment refers to these variations in brain function, which can be mild or severe.
The brain is especially susceptible to blood flow blockages or reductions that deprive it of oxygen and vital nutrients. A stroke is more likely to occur in people who have memory loss. And a stroke’s early warning signs may include forgetfulness.
3. Anxiety, Stress, And Depression
Problems with attention and memory can result from significant stress or anxiety. This is especially typical for people who may be trying to balance work and home obligations while also having trouble sleeping. Typically, reducing stress can boost memory.
Depression, which can also affect brain function, including some memory tests, can result from untreated chronic stress. However, treatment for a mood disorder like depression may include both medication and counselling.
4. Medication
A medication still has the potential to harm your body or impair your memory, even if a doctor legally prescribes it. Even if you follow the doctor’s instructions to the letter, prescription medications (especially those taken in combination) can have a negative impact on your capacity for thought and memory.
A complete list of your medications should be given to each doctor you visit if you have multiple conditions. To avoid prescribing a drug that might interact with the one you are already taking, they need to be aware of this.
The need to change your medication may be indicated by memory loss or forgetfulness. The following medicines can have an impact on memory:
- Medication to treat anxiety.
- Medication to prevent seizures.
- Medication to lower blood pressure.
- Specific analgesics.
- Medications that lower cholesterol.
- Drugs for diabetes.
- Medication for Parkinson’s disease.
- Sleeping tablets.
The risk of reversible cognitive side effects, such as confusion and memory loss, could slightly increase with the use of the cholesterol-lowering medication known as statins. To get rid of this cause of forgetfulness, ask your doctor if any of your medications can be gradually decreased.
5. Deficiency In Nutrition And Other Health Problems
A B12 insufficiency can be one of the main causes of Memory Loss, as it can result in confusion and even dementia. B12 is one of the B vitamins required for healthy nerve function. Vitamin B12, which adults require 2.4 micrograms of daily, is present in foods like dairy, meat, and fish and in foods that have been fortified with it, such as fortified cereals. Vitamin B12 deficiency is at risk for occurring when:
- More than 75 years of age.
- Having a disorder of the digestive system.
- Stick to a strict vegetarian diet.
- Taking certain drugs, such as metformin, proton pump inhibitors or H2 blockers (both of which reduce stomach acid), and birth control pills.
- Afflicted with Sjögren’s syndrome.
- Alcohol consumption in excess.
When your kidneys aren’t functioning properly, such as in chronic or acute kidney failure (also known as renal failure), the buildup of waste products, such as the breakdown of proteins, can affect brain function and cause memory loss.
Toxins can enter your bloodstream as a result of liver diseases like hepatitis, which can then impair brain function. Menopause-related hormonal changes can make it difficult to think clearly and can interfere with sleep, which impairs memory and other cognitive functions.
Also, epilepsy patients may be more susceptible to memory loss over the long term. One of the main causes of the low quality of life experienced by those who have epilepsy is this impairment.
Bottom Line
That’s it with the Causes of Memory Loss. Accepting memory loss and the potential onset of dementia can be challenging. Some people try to hide their memory issues, and some friends or family members make up for someone’s memory loss, sometimes without realising how much they’ve adjusted.
Consult your doctor if memory loss is causing you any concern. They will perform tests and ask you questions about your symptoms to determine the cause of the issue. There are numerous ways to treat memory loss.