Memory Loss Causes and Symptoms

Young or old, we all tend to be a bit absent minded sometimes. We forget where we kept our car keys or fumble with names of our friends or family members at times. This is a part of our regular lives i.e. forgetting things once in a blue moon. However, if someone regularly forgets things or suffers from slow mental responses, it may be a sign of memory loss due to mental deterioration. Most of the time memory loss symptoms are reversible and treatable. However, in some cases it leads to permanent memory loss due to aging or trauma.

Causes of Memory Loss

As people age, they tend to get more and more forgetful. This is a common phenomenon and not very serious. It may be a sign of short term memory loss as well. However, there are many problems that indicate a serious mental health disorder, like dementia. This is a serious condition where the symptoms and signs of memory loss develop gradually. Some of the general causes and symptoms of memory loss are as follows:

Poor Concentration
Poor concentration while doing work or carrying out an activity may lead to memory loss. When your mind is tied up else where, it leads to memory loss. You don't seem to remember what you did last as your mind is out of focus. Poor concentration may also arise due to anxiety or depression.

Physical Well-begin
When a person is sick or unwell, it tends to affect his concentration. This directly affects his memory as the brain is concentrating on the body ailment. Sometimes, the type of illness also affects the brain and leads to memory loss. Thyroid problems, infections, urine problems, high fever, etc may lead to signs and symptoms of memory loss.

Drugs and Medication
High drug and medication doses to treat underlying medical problem may cause memory problems. These drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease, etc may interact with the brain impulses causing confusion and memory problems.

Age
One of the common causes includes age. Memory loss is an age related disorder that commonly affect people over 60 years of age.

There are plenty of other causes and symptoms of memory loss. Some of the other causes of memory loss include:

• Aging
• Alzheimer's disease
• Brain damage due to trauma or injury
• Brain infection due to syphilis, etc.
• Emotional upheaval, depression
• Neurodegenerative disease causing loss of nerve cells in brain
• Deficiency of vitamin B12
• Seizures
• Heart stroke
• Temporal lobe surgery
• Encephalitis infection
• Use of drugs like barbiturates or benzodiazepines
• Brain tumors or infections

Signs and Symptoms of Memory Loss

Signs and symptoms of memory loss may arise due to a number of possible causes as mentioned above. One needs to speak about the following memory loss symptoms with their doctor. One never knows it may be a sign of serious mental health condition like Alzheimer's, dementia, etc. Signs and symptoms of memory loss include forgetting things like dates and numbers within a few seconds. For example, you may look into a telephone diary for a number. By the time you pick up the receiver, you have forgotten the number or the name of the person you were calling. One may get confused and mix up words or have problems making a decision. Sometimes, a person may ask the same question again and again during a conversation.

Signs and symptoms of memory loss also include forgetting ones own name, address or personal details. Memory loss symptoms also include forgetting ones keys, wallets, mobile phones regularly. Some people may develop drastic changes in behavior or suffer from mood changes. One may have difficulty performing regular activities or familiar tasks at times.

Memory Loss Treatment

Memory loss treatment depends on the cause of the condition. If the condition is reversible, the treatment may involve taking memory loss medications and change in lifestyle. Memory loss due to aging cannot be reversed and one has to exert some precautions to prevent it from getting worse. If it is a sign of severe mental disorder, the treatment focus on curing that disorder. The patient may be given memory improvement exercises to keep their memory sharp.

One should keep their brain sharp by eating right and carrying out activities that improves concentration power. One should play crossword puzzles, chess, memory games, etc to keep the brain cells active. Hope, the above information on causes and symptoms of memory loss was helpful for you.