John VorhausMemory loss is a common disorder among many people all over the world. If you suffer from memory loss in the New Jersey area, you should visit the Neurology Center for Epilepsy and Seizures.
When most people experience memory loss, their minds go racing towards the extreme, and they start thinking that they have Dementia or Alzheimer’s. That is rarely the case.
The following are some common causes of memory loss:
Sleep Deprivation
The importance of sleep and its effect on health cannot be overstated.
When you are not getting enough sleep, many negative things happen to your body including memory loss. When you are short on sleep, you may develop mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. These may further exacerbate the memory loss.
Medicine
It is estimated that 44% of Americans take prescription medication every day. Some of these medicines have adverse effects including memory loss.
It does not matter whether they are antidepressants, blood pressure, or weight loss pills; you should ensure you find out the side effects of every medication you are taking. If you think any of your medications are affecting your memory, you should talk to your doctor.
Thyroid Disorder
An underactive thyroid gland may also be the cause of memory loss. When it affects your sleep, it can cause a vicious negative feedback loop resulting in side effects including memory loss.
The good news is that all you need is a blood test to reveal whether or not your thyroid is the cause of your memory loss.
Alcohol
Many of us have had an alcohol filled night that we did not recall the next day. The effects of alcohol on your memory can get a lot more serious than simply forgetting your previous night’s regrets.
Alcohol can interfere with your short-term memory even when the effects of the alcohol have long since worn off. You should try drinking less alcohol, or even better, giving it up altogether.
Reduce your intake in small increments and see how it affects your sleep. If you reach a point where you can drink and still sleep soundly, you can decide whether or not to maintain that intake level.
Mental Health Issues
Your brain’s health is inextricably linked to your memory. Any disorder that makes it difficult for you to focus and learn new things will undoubtedly affect your memory.
Stress and anxiety are two mental health disorders that have been shown to affect memory. They both interfere with the formation of new memories and the retrieval of past memories.
Memory loss could also be a sign or a consequence of depression. The worse the depression, the worse the memory lapses are likely to be.
Luckily, mental health patients have been known to recover their memories with therapy. It will take varying amounts of time depending on the severity of the memory loss.
As you can see, there are many possible causes of memory loss. They may work single handedly, or in combination producing a larger negative impact. If you have memory loss issues, call or visit the Neurology Center in New Jersey for Epilepsy and Seizures today to start your path to progress.