What can cause memory loss other than dementia

What can cause memory loss other than dementia? UTIs can cause a sudden onset of symptoms that look like. More than conditions can cause or mimic the symptoms of dementia, and a small percentage of dementias are reversible.

Two common examples are dementia caused by vitamin Bdeficiency or an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism). Metabolic diseases that cause memory lapses.

In some cases, poor memory is a symptom of metabolic diseases such as diseases of the thyroid glan diabetes and kidney failure. However, memory loss usually appears when the disease has set in for a long time and is usually accompanies by other , more severe symptoms. Alzheimer’s disease is not the only cause of memory loss in seniors. There are other diseases and outside forces that contribute to it.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prolonged alcohol and drug abuse can have severely damaging effects on the brain. You can also try this online, at. Share this infographic and help spread the word about what memory problems are normal and not.

Other causes for memory problems can include aging, medical conditions, emotional problems, mild cognitive impairment, or another type of dementia.

Most of these conditions can be treated. Your doctor can screen you for conditions that cause reversible memory impairment. Possible causes of reversible memory loss include: Medications. Certain medications or a combination of medications can cause forgetfulness or. What are some other causes of memory problems?

Many things other than aging can cause memory problems. This is usually just a glitch in your memory. The researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine found that such drugs could contribute to the development of dementia and memory loss. The findings come from the analysis of the brains of people taking anticholinergic drugs. They can also affect alertness, memory , and executive function.

Liver and Kidney Disease. Diseases of the kidney or liver can result in an accumulation of toxic metabolic waste. Older adults are particularly susceptible to dehydration. Severe dehydration can cause confusion, drowsiness, memory loss , and other symptoms that look like dementia.

It’s important to stay hydrated (aim for 6-drinks per day). Be particularly vigilant if you take diuretics or laxatives or suffer from diabetes, high blood sugar, or diarrhea. Often it is difficult to disentangle the possible sources of cognitive changes in an older person taking multiple medications for medical conditions that in their own right can affect mental functioning.

If you believe that medications are causing memory loss or affecting other cognitive functions, discuss this with your health care providers. Memory loss is an example. Dementia is caused by damage to or loss of nerve cells and their connections in the brain. How they can cause memory loss : Drugs that lower blood levels of cholesterol may impair memory and other mental processes by depleting brain levels of cholesterol as well.

In the brain, these lipids are vital to the formation of connections between nerve cells — the links underlying memory and learning. Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Understanding what makes dementia different from age-related memory loss is crucial when caring for your parent.

Driving may be dangerous and not possible for someone with dementia.