Who hasn’t forgotten occasionally where they put their keys? Or that important date? Memory loss is an issue for all of us. While some kinds of memory loss is normal as we get older, some memory loss happens even to the young and invincible. What causes memory loss and how do we overcome this frustrating setback?
The number one cause of normal memory loss is stress, distraction, and lack of focus. We are simply so busy that we never pay close enough attention to details to remember them. Like the name of that person you met ten minutes ago.
One easy way to remember things better is to write down important information, and to make lists. In view of this, we’ve created a number of lists all about memory loss. Perhaps it will help you remember this article when your moment of loss occurs. So read on, and remember!
The number one cause of normal memory loss is stress, distraction, and lack of focus. We are simply so busy that we never pay close enough attention to details to remember them. Like the name of that person you met ten minutes ago.
One easy way to remember things better is to write down important information, and to make lists. In view of this, we’ve created a number of lists all about memory loss. Perhaps it will help you remember this article when your moment of loss occurs. So read on, and remember!
There are some kinds of memory loss that are reversible, simply by changing the direct cause of the memory loss. Some of those causes might be:
Some normal types of memory loss are:
Some strategies for overcoming those normal memory losses:
What can you do to help prevent memory loss? The list looks like one that could be to solve a myriad of problems: take good care of yourself. And if you’ve forgotten how to take care of yourself, here is the list.
But what if your memory loss is a precursor to something else, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia? Here are some lists that might help:
10 early signs of Alzheimer’s
We hope our lists will help a little. If your or a loved one’s memory lapses are worrying you, please see a healthcare provider.
And don’t forget to like us on Facebook!
- Some medications
- Head trauma or injury
- Depression or mental health disorders
- Alcoholism
- Vitamin B-12 deficiency
- Hypothyroidism
- Tumors
Some normal types of memory loss are:
- Absentmindedness—lack of attention or focus
- Blocking—tip of the tongue, similar memories interfere
- Scrambling—confuse key details
- Fade out—forgetting as time goes by
- Retrieval—new info bumps out other items on short term memory
- Less able to multitask
Some strategies for overcoming those normal memory losses:
- Focus and eliminate distractions
- Rehearse or form a mental picture of what you want to remember
- Retrace your steps, either mentally or physically
- Make connections between two things
- Write down those things you want to remember
- The more of your senses you use, the more likely you’ll be to remember.
What can you do to help prevent memory loss? The list looks like one that could be to solve a myriad of problems: take good care of yourself. And if you’ve forgotten how to take care of yourself, here is the list.
- Exercise your body regularly. Reduces the risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which lead to memory loss. Reduces stress, alleviates anxiety and depression—which are also causes of memory loss.
- Eat Healthily. Food impacts the brain
- Manage Stress
- Get plenty of sleep
- Don’t smoke
- Exercise your brain regularly. Challenge yourself, try new things and learn new things. Just as muscles atrophy with lack of use, so does the brain.
But what if your memory loss is a precursor to something else, such as Alzheimer’s or dementia? Here are some lists that might help:
- Early signs of dementia
- Asking the same questions repeatedly
- Forgetting common words when speaking
- Mixing words up — saying "bed" instead of "table," for example
- Taking longer to complete familiar tasks, such as following a recipe
- Misplacing items in inappropriate places, such as putting a wallet in a kitchen drawer
- Getting lost while walking or driving around a familiar neighborhood
- Undergoing sudden changes in mood or behavior for no apparent reason
- Becoming less able to follow directions
10 early signs of Alzheimer’s
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life asking for same info repeatedly
- Challenges in planning or solving problems (recipes, bills, concetration)
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, work or leisure
- Confusion with time or place
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships. Vision problems, difficulty reading, judging distance, color or contrast. Driving problems
- New problems with words in speaking or writing
- Misplacing things and unable to retrace steps
- Decreased or poor judgement
- Withdrawal from work or social activities
- Changes in mood and personality
We hope our lists will help a little. If your or a loved one’s memory lapses are worrying you, please see a healthcare provider.
And don’t forget to like us on Facebook!
RSS Feed