Disorders that cause memory loss

Getting a prompt diagnosis and appropriate care is important. Memory may gradually improve over time. There are a few diseases that can cause memory loss, but there are also several minor causes of memory loss.

Tests can be done by a medical professional to ensure a correct diagnosis of the patient. If you have difficulty remembering things, your mind may make the leap to Alzheimer’s disease – but that’s not the only cause of memory loss.

It is particularly common among the elderly but also may be reported by younger people. Sometimes family members rather than the patient report the memory loss (typically in an elderly person, often one with dementia). Losing your memory, whether for a short or sudden duration or permanently is a terrifying experience. Though most cases of memory loss are due to accidents or brain trauma, certain diseases can cause a loss in memory as a complication or symptom.

How they can cause memory loss: About percent of adults taking TCAs report some degree of memory impairment and about percent report having difficulty concentrating. Depression and anxiety are two causes for memory loss, typically short-term. These are mental disorders that can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist.

Several psychiatric disorders can cause short-term memory loss.

People with dissociative fugue, dissociative identity disorder and certain types of amnesia can all have symptoms congruent to this diagnosis. Short-term memory loss may be caused by a lack of oxygen to the brain. 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. Dissociative amnesia is one of a group of conditions called dissociative disorders. Depending on the cause , memory loss may have either a sudden or gradual onset, and memory loss may be permanent or temporary.

Thyroid problems can cause memory problems such as forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating. Medication can reverse the symptoms. Excessive alcohol intake is toxic to brain cells, and alcohol abuse leads to memory loss.

Over time, alcohol abuse may also increase the risk of dementia. The main cause of memory loss is a hormone known as cortisol. Certain medical conditions can cause serious memory problems.

These problems should go away once a person gets treatment. Many people worry about their memory. While aging does attribute to memory loss , certain neurological conditions can result in more severe memory problems: 1. It is normal to have some trouble learning new material or needing more time to remember it.

But normal aging does not lead to dramatic memory loss. Such memory loss is due to other diseases. To determine a cause , your health care provider will ask if the problem came on suddenly or slowly. Eventually the brain cells die, causing tissue loss (see illustration).

In imaging scans, brain shrinkage is usually first noticeable in the hippocampus, which plays a central role in memory function. The hallmark symptom of Alzheimer’s is difficulty in recalling new information.