Forgetting something once in a while is something we all have experienced. Whether we can’t remember an acquaintance’s name or we forget about an errand we intended to do, we’ve all been there.
There are several reasons for being forgetful. It could be because of stress or lack of mental focus. However, memory loss, both short and long term, could also be indicators of a more serious health issue.
For us to better understand memory loss, we first need to look into how our memory works. Our brain processes two different kinds of memories – short and long. Short term memory refers to the brain’s ability to access recent information that is available only for a short period. Short term memory gets stored for only about twenty seconds if left unrepeated, or there’s no attempt to commit the information to memory.
Long-term memory refers to the brain’s ability to access information that is available for an extended period. If you can remember an anecdote or a person’s name in seconds, then it means that the information is already in your long-term memory.
We lose our short-term memory a lot to make way for more and newer information, but we could just as easily lose our long-term memory. Depending on your age, overall health status, and medical history, you can experience memory loss.
Short-term Memory Loss Causes
We know that short-term memory loss happens to us often, as our brain only stores this information for a very short period. Forgetting things that you just heard, saw, or did recently is often chalked up to aging or a momentary mental fog. However, it could also be the first signs of dementia, a brain injury, or it could even be linked to mental health problems, especially if it’s happening more frequently.
Momentary, short-term memory loss could be because of stress or lack of sleep. It could also indicate inadequate intake of vitamins and minerals, notably vitamin B-12. In some cases, long-term substance abuse makes it difficult for the brain to retain short-term memories.
Aside from aging and dementia, short term memory loss could also be caused by physical problems pertaining to the brain, such as blood clots, bleeding, infection, or tumor.
Short-term Memory Loss Symptoms
The most common symptoms of short-term memory loss involve forgetting information that was recently acquired, or situations that took place not long ago.
Signs could be anything from forgetting where you placed something a few minutes ago, having a hard time recalling recent events, not being able to recall newly obtained information or details, and asking similar questions repeatedly.
Long-term Memory Loss Causes
There are several reasons why long-term memory loss occurs. In most cases, it points to an underlying cause. There are cases where the memory loss can be reversed, depending on the circumstances that lead to the condition.
Long term-memory loss is usually caused by serious brain injuries or any trauma or infection to the brain. Brain tumors can cause long-term memory loss, as well as severe seizures caused by epilepsy. Drug or alcohol abuse is also known to cause long-term memory loss.
Like short-term memory loss, dementia can also be one of the reasons behind long-term memory loss. Forgetting information that a person once knew well is often one of the first signs of dementia, which is a progressive decline of cognitive functions, including memory. Dementia is more common among people aged 65 years old and above, but it can also occur among younger people. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease.
Long-term Memory Loss Symptoms
Long-term memory loss involves having difficulty remembering things that happened in the past or information that was known to the person for a long time.
Common symptoms include forgetting vocabulary, which results in the mixing of words or forgetting names. Long-term memory loss also results in forgetting familiar places and tasks, as well as mood behavior effects, particularly increased irritability.
We often disregard memory loss or being forgetful as simply being signs of aging. While there can be a correlation, frequent memory loss, especially when it is interfering with daily tasks, could be a sign of a more serious medical problem. If you believe that you have problems with retaining information or recalling past information, then a visit to the doctor might help you find out why, so you can work on a solution.
