Strange Causes of Memory Loss in Adults
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you can remember where you placed your keys or a receipt you recently used in purchasing an item, though you are very confident that they are not lost? Or do you feel embarrassed that you are unable to remember a colleague’s name, yet you just got introduced to each other a couple of days ago?
If you find yourself starting to forget about somethings you should not be forgetting about, you are likely to get worried that perhaps the dreaded Alzheimer’s is catching up with you.
Well, you should know that not all memory loss cases in adulthood are an indication of the conditions. There are quite a number of reasons why you may be having lapses in your memory, and most can always be corrected by taking the necessary steps including nutritional supplements such as promind complex for memory loss.
Therefore, don’t be hard on yourself when you can’t remember people’s names or where you placed your keys.
Here is a look at some of the strange causes of memory loss in adults, and how you can deal with it should you find yourself in such a situation.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea may be responsible for your short bouts of memory losses. It is a common, but treatable sleep condition that usually makes people stop breathing momentarily and frequently in the course of the night. It is linked to dementia and memory loss, and when you suffer from this condition, you are likely to wake up with headaches or migraine and you may also experience daytime fatigue.
If not detected and treated in good time, this sleep disorder is known to affect spatial navigation memory. Spatial memory is the type of memory responsible for remembering locations in space. In other words, it is the kind of memory you need to remember directions and places where you place your stuff. For example, if you have problems figuring out where you placed your car keys, then it is your spatial memory that is failing you.
If you are suffering from this condition, then it is advisable to see a sleep expert for immediate medical assistance. The condition is treatable, but you should not wait for long for it to advance. Since it is characterized by an interrupted supply of oxygen to the brain during sleep, it may be very dangerous and can easily occasion other conditions such as stroke or heart attack.
Silent Stroke
If you find yourself having memory lapses all over sudden, then silent stroke may be another possible reason. This usually happens when major brain vessels responsible for delivering blood and oxygen to the brain are strained or blocked. When such happens, the functioning of the brain will be affected, and memory loss is one of the immediate side effects. This is a serious condition that should never be ignored since it could be a pointer that a major stroke attack is in the offing. You should check with your doctor as soon as possible, or the moment you find that you are becoming too forgetful.
Medications
If you are on medication and you are experiencing memory loss, then perhaps it might be time for the medications to be reviewed. This is because there are several types of drugs that might impact memory and such should always be avoided whenever necessary, or be replaced when memory lapses are recognized. Some of these drugs include-: anti-anxiety medications, sleeping pills, certain painkillers, diabetes medication, and anti-depressants.
Poor Nutrition
There are certain vital vitamins essential for proper nerve functioning, and if you lack, you are likely to experience memory problems. The most notable ones are B vitamins whose deficiencies in the body are known to cause dementia and confusion. It is recommended that at least 2.4 micrograms of Vitamin B12 should be consumed every day. Such can always be obtained from diets including fish, meat, and dairy products or simply from diets containing foods fortified with B12 vitamins. If you suspect that your memory loss is occasioned by a lack of these essential vitamins, then you should try including more of them in your diets and also engaging in games such as unscramble letters to help improve your mental acuity.
Anxiety, depression, and stress
Depression, anxiety, and stress are the other known reasons why someone may experience memory lapses. Not just memory alone, but such people will also have problems maintaining attention for a long time. The best way to deal with this kind of problem is to simply address the reason why you are depressed, stressed or anxious. You can also try taking your minds away from the bothersome situations using games such as scrabble where you will be needed to use your brains to scramble and unscramble letters in the course of the game.
Just remember that if the stress, depression, or anxiety is not treated, various aspects of your life will be affected, and the last thing you want is for your stress levels to hit chronic levels. Such must be addressed as soon as they are detected.
Other causes of memory loss in adults
Other than the above, there are certain conditions that may also make you lose your memory, but in the short term. They include the followings:
- Severe infections around the brain region such as those characterized by neurosyphilis
- Head injuries may lead to mild brain injuries which may also affect the memory faculties of the brain. Head injuries may also lead to neurological disorders and conditions such as stroke, and this is why such should never be ignored.
- Tumors in the brain may affect the brain’s ability to process information. Besides, the treatment of brain tumors may also cause injuries to the brain, which may in effect lead to memory loss. These may include treatments such as radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and brain surgery among others.
- Alcoholism and substance abuse may also lead to memory loss. Studies show that heavy drinking will always lead to mental decline between the first six years, compared to light drinking.
Hopefully, you get insights into why you may be forgetting about where you placed your keys or not remembering faces you should really be remembering. Just consider the recommended actions and you will not have to suffer from memory losses as an adult.
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