Medical Conditions Which May Affect Your Memory

My friend's dad experienced a stroke recently, and his short term memory was compromised for a time. This is scary, not being able to remember, even the names of family members. This is so similar to when my dad had his stroke. I remember talking with him on the phone, and he remembered me and asked if my older son was practicing his clarinet, but he couldn't remember anything about my younger son. It took some time, but he eventually started remembering things again.

There are certain medical conditions which may affect how your brain operates and how you recall information. Some medical conditions require that you take medications which also can impair your memory. I've experienced this myself when I need to search for a word or try to remember what I wanted to do or say. If you experience a loss of memory, share this information with your health care provider.

Some medical conditions that may affect long or short term memory are:

• Vitamin Deficiencies – A good diet helps your brain to function properly, but you may still suffer vitamin or nutritional deficiencies. Vitamin B1 and B12 can impair your memory and so can a Vitamin D deficiency.
• Lack of Sleep – Sleep deprivation may cause fatigue which can result in loss of concentration and memory problems. It’s important to your health and brain function to get both a good quantity and quality of sleep each night.
• Stress – It’s difficult to focus when you’re under severe stress. It may also lead to depression which can make it difficult to remember things. Emotional trauma may also cause memory loss.
• Stroke – Many people suffer from strokes and don’t realize it for awhile. If you have short-term memory loss, you should see your physician to test for a blockage of a blood vessel or leakage of a blood vessel to the brain.
• Smoking, Alcohol and Drug Use – If you’re using any of these mind-changing items in excess, you could have short or long-term memory loss. All of these items cause derogatory changes in the brain.
• Head Injury – You’ve seen this scenario in movies – someone gets hit in the head and they wake up not knowing who they are or anything about their lives. It does happen, but memory will likely improve over time.

If you have depression, allergies or other medical conditions, you may be required to take prescription or over-the-counter medications. Some conditions requiring medications that can cause memory loss are:

• Anxiety – Any medication prescribed for anxiety may have an effect on your memory.
• Muscle problems – If you have a condition which requires you to take muscle relaxants, be aware that the medications could impair your memory.
• Allergies – Antihistamines – prescription or over-the-counter – can slow the operation of your brain and cause memory loss.
• Pain – Prescription pain pills should be taken only when you need them and stop immediately when you don’t. They can prevent your brain from creating new and healthy cells.
• Sleep medication – Sleeping pills can make you wake up in the morning feeling groggy and can keep you from focusing during the day.

Of course, dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are the worst robbers of our memories. If memory loss begins to interfere with your lifestyle, see your health care provider immediately and take steps toward getting your memory – and your life back on track.

How about you? Do you have experience with others that have lost words or memories due to a medical condition? 

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Here's to keeping our memories alive and well!

Cheers,

Lisa