Memory Loss

About 40% of adults—mostly people age 65 and older—experience a degree of memory loss, but only 5% to 8% go on to develop some level of dementia.

This article will explore some possible causes of memory loss, what symptoms you might expect, and how your healthcare provider may diagnose and treat your condition.

Symptoms of Memory Loss

Memory loss can appear in many forms. The first symptom most people think of is forgetfulness, but memory loss can also appear as:

• Poor decision-making
• Misplacing items
• Losing track of the date
• Forgetting common words or phrases

Memory loss can go by many names, including:

• Amnesia
• Dementia
• Cognitive impairment
• Impaired memory

Regardless of what it is called, memory loss that has an impact on your daily life needs to be evaluated to determine the severity and cause of the memory loss.

Causes of Memory Loss

There are many factors that can cause memory loss, and not all of these lead to permanent impairment.

Brain conditions are a major cause of more permanent or serious memory loss, and can include specific injuries such as:

• Brain tumors
• Cancer
• Concussions
• Head trauma
• Lack of oxygen (hypoxic brain injury)
• Infections of the brain or nervous system
• Fluid collection in the brain (hydrocephalus)
• Multiple sclerosis
• Dementia
• Alzheimer's disease
• Transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), or ministrokes

Other diseases, infections, or conditions that develop in areas of the body other than the brain lead to confusion or memory loss as well. Examples of other conditions that can cause memory loss include:

• Severe stress
• Bipolar disorder
• Depression
• Alcohol or recreational drug use
• Malnutrition
• Epilepsy
• Parkinson's disease
• Huntington's disease
• Thyroid disorders
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Blood clots

What Medications Can Cause Memory Loss?

Aside from medical conditions, memory loss may also be a medication side effect.

Examples of medications most often associated with memory loss include:

• Paxil (paroxetine)
• Tagamet (cimetidine)
• Ditropan (oxybutynin)
• Detrol (tolterodine)
• Elavil (amitriptyline)
• Norpramin (desipramine)
• Aventyl, Pamelor (nortriptyline)
• Cold and allergy medications containing brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, or diphenhydramine

How to Treat Memory Loss

Memory loss can sometimes be treated by taking care of the underlying condition. This is mostly true when memory loss is caused by conditions like acute infections, new medications, a minor head injury, or other short-term problems.

For memory loss caused by more chronic or long-term diseases, treating memory loss by addressing the underlying condition may not be as straightforward. Cancer and chronic conditions like Alzheimer's disease each have their own treatments, but your healthcare provider is the best resource for specific therapies.

Beyond medications, there are several steps you can take at home to help improve your memory and cognitive health. These include:

• Learning new skills
• Having a daily routine
• Planning tasks
• Making to-do lists
• Using calendars and other memory tools
• Putting important items in the same place each day
• Staying active outside of your home
• Participating in activities that stimulate the body and mind
• Keeping in touch with friends and family
• Exercising
• Eating a well-balanced diet
• Getting enough sleep
• Controlling your blood pressure
• Avoiding heavy alcohol use
• Addressing any ongoing mental health problems like depression
  

The specific treatments for your memory loss will depend on the cause and severity of your condition. Talk to your healthcare provider before trying vitamins and supplements aimed at improving memory or cognitive function.

Complications and Risk Factors Associated with Memory Loss

There are factors that raise your chances of having memory loss. Some common risk factors are:

• Age
• Genetics
• Family history
• Other general health problems, especially heart and neurological diseases

Complications from memory loss are often related to a person's inability to take care of themselves. Possible complications may include:

• Falls or injuries
• Malnutrition
• Infections
• Pneumonia
• Dehydration
• Constipation and other digestive problems
• Dental problems
• Incontinence

Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Memory Loss?

If you're experiencing memory loss, your healthcare provider will start by reviewing your family and personal medical histories with you, as well as any recent injuries or changes in medications. Blood testing can help rule out certain conditions or nutritional deficiencies.

If these examinations aren't enough to determine the cause of your memory loss, your healthcare provider may perform more detailed testing like:

• Neuropsychological and psychometric testing
• Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
• Electroencephalogram (EEG)
• Lumbar puncture
• Cerebral angiography
  

When to See a Healthcare Provider

If you are having increasing trouble remembering important events or details, or if you have a difficult time concentrating or thinking clearly, talk to your doctor. In some cases, family and friends may bring changes in your demeanor or personality to your attention and encourage you to seek help.

If you are experiencing more severe forms of memory loss that include things like getting lost or suddenly becoming disoriented, talk to your healthcare provider or get medical attention right away.

Summary

Memory loss can arise for different reasons. Not every type of memory loss is dementia or Alzheimer's disease, and it may take investigating to determine and diagnose the cause of your memory problem.

A Word From Verywell

We all forget things from time to time, but true memory loss usually involves repeated and ongoing episodes of forgetfulness that can impact the quality of your daily life. If you or someone you know is becoming increasingly forgetful, showing changes in their normal behaviors, or displaying other concerning symptoms, seek the help of a healthcare provider in making an official diagnosis and recommending treatment.