Articles

Memory Loss

At some point, all of us have experienced memory loss, whether an occasional episode of forgetfulness or something more significant. There are many reasons for memory loss, including:

  • Certain medications are one of the leading causes. There are a number of prescription and over-the-counter drugs that can affect memory, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, anti-anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and post-surgery pain medications.
  • In addition to excessive alcohol being well-recognized as a significant cause, smoking has also been linked to memory loss, as it reduces the amount of oxygen entering the brain. Studies have shown that smokers score lower on facial recognition tests than nonsmokers. Illegal drugs can also change the brain’s chemical makeup, impairing memory recall.
  • Sleep deprivation, quality of sleep, and waking up frequently throughout the night also impact memory, as the resulting fatigue interferes with the ability to consolidate and retrieve information.
  • Depression and stress make it difficult to focus, which affects memory. When you are stressed, your mind becomes overstimulated and distracted, which in turn decreases your ability to remember information. Stress caused by emotional trauma can also lead to memory loss.
  • Nutritional deficiencies in vitamins B1 and B12 can affect memory. Eating a diet including high-quality proteins and fats is critical to proper brain function.
  • Severe trauma to the head from a fall or accident can injure the brain and cause both short- and long-term memory loss, which may improve over time.
  • During a stroke, the blood supply to the brain is stopped due to a blood vessel that is blocked or leaking into the brain, frequently causing short-term memory loss. People are often able to remember childhood memories but are unable to recall recent events.
  • Dementia is a progressive loss of memory that interferes with the ability to function in daily activities. Although there are many causes of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common.
  • Other causes of memory loss include an underactive or overactive thyroid gland and certain infections that affect the brain.

If you find that you are increasingly forgetful or if memory problems interfere with your daily life, schedule an appointment with your doctor to determine the cause and best treatment. To evaluate memory loss, your doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical and neurological exam, and ask questions to test mental ability. Depending on the results, further evaluation may include blood and urine tests, nerve tests, and imaging tests of the brain, such as CT scans or MRIs.

Treatment for memory loss depends on the cause and, in many cases, reverses the condition. Treatments might include changing medications, getting enough sleep, reducing stress, eating better, and taking supplements (if deficient). If caused by a stroke, therapy may improve memory over time. If Alzheimer’s disease causes memory problems, targeted drugs and blood pressure medications (which reduce the risk of further damage from dementia) may help.

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