10 Things to Know About Memory Loss

Memory loss affects everyone at least once in their life. You must be particularly vigilant if it is sudden or repeated. Here are ten things you should know about memory loss:

1. It can be translated in different ways

Memory loss results in different ways depending on whether it is short or long-term memory and depending on the area of the brain involved.

Among the most frequent loss of memory are: forgetting important names or numbers, not knowing where one has put one’s personal belongings, asking the same questions or saying the same thing several times, getting lost in known places, having confusion about the date or own identity, or forget important appointments.

2. It may be related to an illness or treatment

Some diseases can cause memory loss. Heart problems, thyroid-related diseases, kidney disease, liver disease or head trauma can cause memory problems.

In the same way, chemotherapy treatments can generate a very important fatigue and lead to concentration disorders.

3. The memory capacity decreases with age

Cognitive functions, and, thus, memory abilities, slow down with age, even in healthy people.

At age 65, it becomes more difficult to perform simultaneous tasks. Small oversights may occur. These loss of memory are often worrying but are not symptomatic of an illness.

4. Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by memory loss

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia resulting in partial memory loss to complete inability to memorise any event. It also affects the long-term memory that makes it difficult for the patient to recognise people, to orient themselves in space or to reason.

This disease is very difficult to manage for those around you.

5. It may be due to stress

Memory loss can be due to organic diseases but also comes from emotional disorders such as depression or anxiety. Trauma (post-traumatic stress disorder) can also affect memory.

Similarly, overwork and fatigue can lead to more or less significant memory loss but in all cases reversible.

6. Your memory should be trained

You can develop your memory skills by working and stimulating your memory.

Doing crosswords, mental arithmetic, learning a poem, reading or learning something new (like a foreign language) prevents the memory from “slumbering”.

7. Lack of sleep promotes memory loss

Sleep plays an essential role in the consolidation of learning done during the day or the days that precede, especially during the paradoxical sleep phase: the neural networks consolidate during this phase of sleep.

To avoid memory loss, it is, therefore, essential to have good quality sleep.

8. Having a healthy lifestyle improves memory skills

Lack of sleep, poor diet and/or alcohol abuse can lead to memory loss.

To preserve memory, a varied and balanced diet is recommended as well as good habits and the regular practice of a physical activity.

9. Memory problems can affect children

The children’s memory can also be affected. This is particularly the case for children with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) with poor short-term memory.

The child will then have learning difficulties. Accompaniment is necessary to promote self-confidence and develop memorisation techniques adapted to this disorder.

10. Some plants maintain the memory

To boost your memory, natural remedies exist such as gingko biloba which is a plant that promotes concentration and memory.

Supplementation of certain vitamins such as vitamin B6, B9 and B12 may also be prescribed by the doctor.