Causes of memory loss in 40s

Can you really get dementia in your 30s or 40s? Age-related memory loss is widely believed to begin around the age of 6 but new research suggests that memory and other mental declines may commonly occur decades earlier. British civil service workers subjected to a battery of tests designed to assess brain functioning showed evidence. Although most people think of memory loss as something that happens only after turning , many women experience some form of memory loss in their forties.

While this can be frustrating and even worrying, it is a common phenomenon and one that can be managed. Your doctor can screen you for conditions that cause reversible memory impairment.

Certain medications or a combination of medications can cause forgetfulness or confusion. Minor head trauma or injury. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry. You’re not likely losing it or developing dementia. Dipping levels of estrogen — whether from menopause or having a baby — affect brain function.

Mild memory loss tends to increase with age and is generally no cause for concern. But progressive memory loss due to illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease can be serious. Consult your doctor if.

But they did make a finding that helps explain why women in their 40s and 50s frequently say they’re having memory problems : It’s possible that their changing moods and hectic lives make it harder to keep track of everything.

The work is the latest salvo in a years-long back and forth about memory , menopause, and estrogen. Often, women begin to notice memory loss in perimenopause when the production of hormones begins to decrease naturally. This hormonal imbalance causes symptoms including fatigue , insomnia and depression. Foggy thinking and lapses in memory in women are common symptoms of suffering from hormonal imbalances. This memory loss can be debilitating and frustrating, affecting every area of your life.

Memory loss could be a sign that your medication needs to be adjusted. Several types of drugs can affect memory, according to the U. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), including: sleeping pills. Here are six common ones.

Not getting enough sleep is perhaps the greatest unappreciated cause of forgetfulness. Too little restful sleep can also lead to mood changes and anxiety, which in turn contribute to problems with memory. Any problems with memory should be discussed with your doctor so that a reversible cause can hopefully be found and treate.

Some thyroi kidney, or liver disorders. Drinking too much alcohol. Head injury, such as a concussion from a fall or accident.

Some of the culprit medicines include: antihistamines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, pain medications and sleeping pills. Dizziness: 6people, 16. Medication side effects.

Weakness: 6people, 16. Confusional State: 5people, 15. Some reports may have incomplete information. When you are young, your testosterone levels helped regulate the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which in turn affects the function of neurotransmitters (chemicals used for communication) in the brain. As testosterone levels decline, as is common in andropause, the testosterone cannot effectively regulate cortisol.

What Causes Memory Loss ? As a result, neurotransmitters begin to malfunction, causing these momentary lapses in memory. The good news is, causes of memory loss from many of these conditions are normally reversible. Zola says depression and stress are the most common reasons for temporary memory problems.

It becomes difficult to maintain focus, sharp memory and clarity. Low thyroid function is a common cause of brain fog, depression (1), difficulty concentrating and short term memory loss. Hypothyroidism is often associated with mood disturbances and cognitive impairment, implying that thyroid hormones are critical for normal brain functioning.

If you notice any of them, don't ignore them. There are warning signs and symptoms. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Does Your Thyroid Functioning Affect Your Memory ?