Reasons For Memory Loss

Learning about memory and psychology has been interesting so far, however, I've been curious as to what are some other reasons for memory loss besides alzheimers disease. With a little research, I was able to find a site that listed the top 10 reasons for memory loss. This list includes:

 #1 – Depression
Severe depression or grief can sometimes lead to forgetfulness and memory loss. Feelings of sadness, extreme grief at the loss of a loved one and or enduring other emotional trauma can result in feeling ‘out of touch’, or ‘in a fog’ and forgetting small details. Depression especially in older men and women can result in forgetfulness, which can worsen if it remains untreated.
#2 – Medication Side Effects
Some medications are known to cause memory loss. In most cases, stopping the medication will result in a complete recovery of memory function. Since many elderly men and women take a wide range of medications, it is possible that one or more of the medications could trigger memory loss symptoms.
#3 – Vitamin Deficiency
Individuals who do not have enough Vitamin B12 in their diet can suffer from memory loss. Vitamin B12 is important for healthy brain functioning, and can often be overlooked as a source of memory problems in the elderly. Prolonged deficiency can lead to permanent damage, but if it is caught early and treated, the memory loss may be only temporary.
#4 – Thyroid Problems
Though problems with the thyroid are known for changing weight and metabolism, thyroid dysfunction can also lead to memory loss. Hypothyroidism is particularly known for causing memory problems as the body becomes less able to absorb the nutrients provided by foods. Fortunately, thyroid problems are treatable and a simple blood test can provide answers about whether thyroid functioning is the cause of memory loss or not.
#5 – Insomnia
Too little sleep is not healthy for the body in myriad wys, especially when it relates to brain functioning and memory. Insomnia or lack of sleep can cause problems with concentration or focusing on details or tasks, resulting in forgetfulness and confusion.
#6 – Medication Interactions
While we mentioned medication side effects as one cause of memory problems, individuals taking several medications might have forgetfulness symptoms as a result of interactions between the medications. While the medications by themselves might not cause forgetfulness, memory loss from interactions is possible.
#7 – Dehydration
Dehydration is a common problem for older adults, and severe cases of dehydration can cause dementia-like symptoms. Ensuring an elderly individual drinks plenty of water each day can reverse memory loss from dehydration. The ideal amount of water for adult men and women at any age is at least six to eight glasses per day.
#8 – Trauma to the Head
Head trauma from a fall or accident can cause memory loss due to damage to the brain. Unfortunately, this type of memory loss is often not recoverable due to brain cell damage.
#9 – Dementia
Dementia of any kind, such as Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia With Lewy Bodies, are common causes of memory loss in elderly individuals. While not all older adults suffer from memory-related diseases, the risk of developing dementia increases with age.
#10 – Brain Tumors
Tumors in the brain can sometimes cause symptoms similar to dementia. The tumor kills brain cells as it grows, resulting in memory loss. Depending on the location of the tumor, the amount of memory loss will differ between individuals.

I honestly never realized how many factors can really affect memory loss and when give a list of just 10, I question what other kinds of factors can account for memory loss.

Link: http://assistedlivingtoday.com/2012/05/10-memory-loss-causes/