When Should You Worry About Memory Loss?

Memory loss is an issue commonly associated with dementia and the elderly. But the simple fact is it can have many causes, affecting anyone at any time. It isn’t always reason for significant concern. What you want to take into consideration is the frequency and severity of the memory loss, as well as potential causes. If it is impacting your day-to-day and decreasing your quality of life, it is time to have a conversation with your loved ones and your doctor…

What is memory loss? 

Memory loss refers to the inability to remember information or events that should easily be retrievable. Some common symptoms include forgetting recent conversations or events, asking the same questions over and over, difficulty completing familiar tasks, frequently misplacing items, being unable to retrace steps, becoming confused about time or location or having difficulty following a conversation.

“Progressive memory loss extending over time is the key warning sign,” explains Mander. “If someone starts forgetting entire experiences or things they were once clear about – like the route to a longtime hairdresser – that becomes concerning.” Ditto for if memory loss starts impacting relationships or impeding day-to-day life.

When memory loss progresses to state of dementia, "memory failures become so frequent a person eventually loses the ability to recall recent events or plans completely,” says David Diamond, PhD, a psychologist and neuroscience professor at the University of South Florida.

What causes memory loss?

Some of the most common causes of short-term or long-term memory loss include: 

• Neurological and age-related medical conditions. “In people over 65, Alzheimer’s disease, strokes and Lewy body dementia are the common causes of memory loss," says Dr. Andrew Budson, chief of cognitive behavioral neurology at the VA Boston Healthcare System. Other conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, thyroid disorders or chronic illnesses like diabetes can also impair memory.
• Head injuries.“Head injuries, especially traumatic brain injuries like concussions, are among the most common causes of short-term memory loss,” says Mander.
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• Sensory loss.Hearing and smell deficits can also impact one's ability to remember things. “Hearing loss, if left untreated, has been linked to cognitive decline,” says Michael Yassa, PhD, director of the Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory at the University of California, Irvine. “A loss of smell may also be an early indicator of memory-related conditions.”
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• Mental health conditions.“Stress, depression and anxiety have all been shown to impair attention and memory,” says Mander. One reason for this is “it’s hard to remember things when your brain is in fight-or-flight mode,” explains Yassa.
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• Sleep quality.“Poor sleep or conditions like sleep apnea interfere with memory storage because the brain needs quality sleep to consolidate memories," says Yassa. 
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• Medications, nutrient deficiencies and substance use.Many prescription drugs such as sleep aids, anti-anxiety meds and anticholinergics list memory loss as a side effect and can "affect brain chemistry,” explains Yassa. “Alcohol or drug misuse can also impede memory,” adds Mander. On the flip side, poor dietary habits can lead to vitamin deficiency, which can also cause troubles remembering. 

To learn more about preventing and treating memory loss, read the full article here.

In many cases, if the root cause of memory loss can be addressed, you will see improvement. And if not, the memory loss can be slowed down. You should never be ashamed or afraid to discuss health issues you may be experiencing. Being able to identify you have a problem, and being willing to seek answers will put you on the right track.