Those are examples of everyday forgetfulness. We humans have a lot on our minds nowadays, and misplacing items is a fairly common daily affair. It is when our forgetfulness interferes with daily activities that we should visit a doctor. It may not be the dreaded diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s -- the forgetfulness could be temporary in nature. But a physician's exam should determine the cause or he or she could order tests to diagnose or confirm the illness.
Some degree of memory loss is normal as we age, but there are important differences between changes in memory and Alzheimer’s or other disease-caused memory loss. Some memory problems are treatable and reversible. Age-related memory loss is not disabling and has little to no impact on daily living activities.
Temporary or Reversible Memory Loss
There are myriad reasons why temporary memory loss happens – medications, drugs and mental health issues are just a few of them.
- Medications such as tranquilizers, some blood pressure medications and antidepressants can cause sedation, confusion and forgetfulness. A combination could exacerbate the situation, so if you take more than three medications, talk to your doctor if you notice signs of forgetfulness.
- Chronic alcoholism seriously impairs mental abilities. It also can cause memory loss by interacting with medications.
- Hypothyroidism is when one’s thyroid is underactive and slows metabolism. Can also disturb sleep or cause depression. May result in forgetfulness or thinking/processing problems.
- Lack of sleep is perhaps the most underappreciated cause of memory loss. This can lead to mood changes and anxiety, causing memory problems. Sleep is necessary for memory consolidation. Also, deprivation reduces the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus and causes memory issues.