Memory loss isn't always worrisome. But here's when it is, what to do.
It’s normal to occasionally forget where you left your keys, struggle to recall a new name or wonder if you’ve already taken your daily medication. “Everyone has memory slips now and again,” says Bryce Mander, PhD, associate professor of psychiatry and human behavior at the University of California, Irvine.
But when forgetfulness progresses, becomes frequent or interferes with relationships or daily life, it may be a sign of something more serious.
At the same time, not all memory problems point to dementia, and many issues are preventable, treatable and even reversible. Here’s how to recognize memory loss, what causes it and how to manage the problems it creates for yourself or someone you love.
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 states 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.
- 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.”
- 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.
- Sleep quality. “Poor sleep or conditions like sleep apnea interfere with memory storage because the brain needs quality sleep to consolidate memories," says Yassa.
- 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.
How is memory loss prevented and treated?
Memory loss treatments vary depending on the underlying cause of the problem. "If the memory loss is due to something reversible, such as poor sleep, medication side effects, a vitamin deficiency or a thyroid disorder, the treatment is pretty straightforward," says Budson.
Sometimes simple dietary or behavioral changes are all that is needed. “There’s no silver bullet,” Mander explains, “but good sleep, exercise, maintaining a diet high in vitamin B12 and mental stimulation all support brain health.” Even something as common and feared as Alzheimer's disease "is not an inevitable result of advanced age,” adds Diamond. "Strong physical health is associated with reducing your risk and a very low rate of dementia."
And "for the best outcomes," stresses Yassa, "early intervention is key to living longer without cognitive decline."