Memories are an essential part of human existence and social life. Through them, we maintain social and familial relationships, form emotional bonds with people, scents, tastes, and sensations. We learn about right, wrong, causes, consequences, and understand opportunities and risks.
For those developing new skills or studying for exams, memory is even more crucial, as it retains the learned information for later use.
Although it's something we don't think much about and is unconscious to us, it can be worked on and improved, but it can also be lost. Who hasn't experienced forgetting where they left their keys or a date on a history test?
There are various causes of memory loss, and many of them can be eliminated or managed to avoid significant impacts. How about learning about the main causes and working to protect your memory?
Causes of Memory Loss and How to Treat Them
There are many causes of memory loss, some genetic, others related to habits. Understanding these causes can help you reduce your memory-related problems.
1. Anxiety
Memory loss, especially among younger individuals, can be caused by the stress and anxiety experienced in daily life. When we are deeply concerned, anxious, or stressed, many neurons and brain regions are activated. As a result, your brain goes into a form of overload and struggles to process even the simplest information.
These are not permanent memory losses, but rather lapses such as not remembering information during a test or forgetting a word. Additionally, this overload makes it harder for your mind to encode new information.
2. Self-Control
The best way to address this issue is by seeking help from a psychologist, as certain cases of anxiety and stress might require medication. Moreover, you can complement these treatments with relaxation activities. Half an hour of meditation, yoga, or other physical activities can help.
3. Lack of Attention
It's no secret that when we do things without paying attention, the chances of retaining the information we're interacting with are minimal. Lack of focus isn't uncommon in today's world, considering the amount of information we receive every minute.
Fortunately, training memory and concentration is easy with simple practices. Engage in activities that exercise your brain, like reading a book, solving a Sudoku puzzle, doing crosswords, or taking courses. Meditation can also be very helpful in improving focus and concentration skills.
4. Depression
This issue is serious. Depression isn't a moment of overload but a psychiatric condition that must be treated by professionals with great care. It's common for people with depression to struggle with concentration and for their brain's neurotransmitters to be affected by body chemistry.
Antidepressants and other medications can help, but they should only be taken under the guidance of a psychiatrist or psychologist and always accompanied by therapy sessions.
5. Hypothyroidism
Yes, hypothyroidism can affect your memory. It's a condition that slows down metabolism, which in turn affects brain function. When memory loss is caused by hypothyroidism, it's usually accompanied by other symptoms such as excessive sleepiness, fatigue, dry skin, difficulty concentrating, brittle hair and nails, and depression.
Treatment varies for each case, so you should consult a general practitioner or an endocrinologist for guidance.
6. Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Memory problems are one of the many consequences of a lack of vitamin B12 in the body. As the absorption of this nutrient is primarily through diet, especially from meat consumption, those most affected by the deficiency include:
- Vegetarians and vegans who don't have nutritional guidance.
- Malnourished individuals
- Alcoholics
- People with absorption issues in the stomach
Solving a vitamin B12 deficiency is often achieved through nutritional supplements. The only case in which they might not work is when stomach absorption is impaired. In this situation, the vitamin is supplied through injections.
7. Medications and Drugs
Both illegal drugs and alcohol, as well as some medications like anticonvulsants, neuroleptics, and drugs for vertigo, can impair your memory. Illegal drugs and alcohol affect neurons in a toxic manner, disrupting their function and hindering information retention.
In the case of the mentioned medications, the issue is their sedative action. This effect can cause mental confusion and memory problems in some individuals as a side effect.
As for medications, since they are necessary for those who use them, the solution is to discuss adjustments in dosage with a doctor or seek brands with fewer side effects. Regarding alcohol, memory problems can be avoided by consuming it in moderation.
Illegal drugs should not be used, as they are not only harmful to the body but also illegal.
8. Inadequate Sleep
Getting sufficient sleep is essential for the proper functioning of the entire body. Your brain needs at least 6 hours of sleep to rest properly and consolidate the information received during the day. This helps prevent loss of focus, reasoning, and attention, which also impact memory.
Establishing a consistent routine to get these 6 hours of sleep is crucial. Set a regular waking and sleeping time every day, avoid coffee after 5 PM, and stay away from the television, computer, and phone at least an hour before bedtime.
If your problem is insomnia or lack of sleep linked to other issues, seek medical assistance. A doctor can recommend remedies to help you sleep better.