Memory Loss or Frequent Forgetfulness? Know When to Worry

Published: 1 October, 2024 | 6'

Who hasn’t occasionally forgotten to grab their house keys, mobile phone, or an item from the shopping list? We’ve all forgotten things several times a day or misplace them because we can’t remember where we left them.

But how can you tell if this is normal due to mere distraction or if it pertains to a more significant issue? We’ll explain.

What is memory loss?

Memory loss is the inability to recognise previously acquired information.

This apparent “dysfunction” sometimes simply relates to a brain readjustment mechanism to avoid the overload of irrelevant information. However, over time, our ability to remember progressively decreases.

Types of memory loss

During ageing, there is a decline in cognitive efficiency, which can be associated with memory loss considered normal. Those forgettings primarily related to age that do not hinder daily activities may occur sporadically without being linked to any illness.

Depending on the duration of the induced memory loss, it can manifest in two ways:

Transient memory loss: There are certain situations that can cause symptoms like forgetfulness or short-term memory loss. For instance, physically, this may be due to deficiencies in certain nutrients, alcohol consumption, dehydration, reactions to specific substances, or head injuries. Emotional situations such as periods of stress, traumatic events, or significant occurrences can also impact memory.
Permanent memory loss: Non-reversible memory loss occurs in states of dementia or certain conditions such as Alzheimer’s.

Sudden memory loss

States of confusion and sudden memory loss lasting several hours, also known as transient global amnesia, typically occur as a consequence of occasional alert states.

During these episodes, a person is unable to create new memories, and therefore cannot recall recent past events or their current situation. For example, not remembering the reason for going to a particular place or how one arrived there.

This generally affects middle-aged or elderly adults and these episodes usually improve within hours, with some cases seeing a return of complete recall of the events that occurred during the episode.

Causes of memory loss in adults

The most frequent causes of memory loss stem from changes in brain function due to natural ageing, mild cognitive impairment, or dementia. However, other factors also lead to memory loss, which may or may not be reversible, as previously discussed. Let’s consider the most common causes of memory loss:

Medical factors affecting memory

Aging: As we age, changes occur in brain function, notably a decline in memory performance. Generally, there is a decreased ability to store new memories, a greater demand for repetition of stimuli to retain them, and all of this means that individuals must exert more effort to recall facts or memories.
Mild cognitive impairment: This involves memory alterations that exceed what is expected due to age but are less severe than in cases of dementia, not significant enough to affect daily living. However, over time, this may progress to dementia.
Dementia: In these cases, memory loss is characterised by a “total erasure” of an event, not just details, showing severe cognitive dysfunction. This disruption does affect daily tasks, as it can create difficulty recalling how to perform routine actions, how to get to familiar places, or forgetting responsibilities like paying bills or switching off appliances, etc.
There are other causes that may induce memory loss, such as specific substances causing confusion or forgetfulness, or conditions like hypothyroidism, vitamin B12 deficiency, mild brain injuries, or traumatic brain injuries, strokes, etc.

The impact of stress and depression on memory

Stressful factors like certain situations in personal life (the passing of a family member, separations or relocations, for example), workplace pressures (specific demands or increased responsibilities), as well as other environmental or dietary changes can also interfere with memory formation and retrieval. This occurs because during these moments of stress, worries keep attention focused on that particular situation. These states, known as stressors, affect memory in various ways, with some cases showing enhanced memory capacity when the stressor is of a mild to moderate intensity and short duration.

Affective and mood alterations such as depression or anxiety can interfere with attention and concentration, potentially leading to an inability to create and retain new short-term memories.

In cases of depression, it can cause memory losses similar to those seen in dementia, although the main difference is that in memory losses associated with depression, there is awareness of the memory loss. Important or recent events are not forgotten.

Warning signs in memory loss

Some of the most characteristic signs that may be a cause for concern and are observed in individuals with memory loss include:

Mental confusion, attention deficits, and disorientation.
Difficulty in carrying out daily tasks.
Symptoms of depression, such as loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and even suicidal thoughts.
Dizziness, language difficulties, headaches, visual disturbances, and apathy.

In such cases, it is recommended to consult a professional to evaluate the cause and provide guidance on what is most appropriate.

Memory loss in older adults

As we mentioned earlier, as we age, our brain also undergoes changes at the neuronal level. Thus, this decline in brain function implies that a greater effort is needed to retrieve a memory or acquire new knowledge.

Therefore, as we reach advanced ages, it is important to pay attention to distinguish what may be a simple lapse from serious memory alterations.

When memory loss is not normal

Generally, conditions associated with memory loss interfere with daily tasks, such as:

Asking the same questions several times in the same conversation.
Forgetting the way home or to usual places.
Being unable to follow instructions from some guidelines or recipes.
Neglecting routine tasks such as personal hygiene, eating at the usual time, turning off electronic devices, etc.
Confusing time or places.

Normally, in these cases, close family members or friends are the ones who begin to notice these changes. When these situations persist, it is advisable to consult a professional along with the affected person to assess the significance of the memory loss and refer them to a specialist if deemed necessary or to conduct tests to determine its origin.

Managing memory loss

Our brain is a muscle that requires nutrients for its proper functioning. Therefore, maintaining a healthy diet, along with adequate rest and exercise, will benefit the entire body, including the brain, throughout our lives.

In cases where cognitive functions begin to decline, there are several strategies we can implement to help ourselves, such as:

Making an effort to pay attention or learn new information each day.
Following a daily routine and making lists of tasks to be completed.
Avoiding situations of stress or learning to manage them with activities that help relax the mind.
Getting enough sleep and trying to maintain a consistent sleep routine each day.
Seeking help if we experience persistent negative feelings or sadness.
Spending time with friends or family and engaging in group activities.
Doing exercises to train the brain such as puzzles, word searches, recalling past events, reading, associating images with uses or dates, etc.

Foods and supplements for memory loss

Nutrition is also a key factor for the proper development of cognitive function and mental well-being. We can find nutrients such as vitamins C and E, and minerals like zinc, which have antioxidant properties and combat oxidative stress that affects cognitive function and memory. Furthermore, the B vitamins support nerve connections and neurotransmitter production.

Amino acids such as tyrosine and carnitine play a fundamental role in memory, as they affect the neurotransmission mechanisms responsible for brain responses.

Other plant-derived ingredients are also useful in providing beneficial properties for cognitive function, such as bacopa, rhodiola, and lion's mane.

All of these can be found in supplement form to complement daily food intake and to enhance these key ingredients in our diet and promote cognitive well-being.

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References

Content reviewed by specialists from MARNYS' Scientific Information area. This article is informational and does not substitute the consultation of a specialist.