Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentComplicationsDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
Complications
Diagnosis
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Frequently Asked Questions
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 ofdementia.
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.
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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:
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.
5 Differences Between Normal Forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s
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:
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:
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:
How to Treat Memory Loss
Beyond medications, there are several steps you can take at home to help improve your memory and cognitive health. These include:
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.
Regular Aerobic Exercise May Help Your Brain Age Better
Complications and Risk Factors Associated with Memory Loss
There are factors that raise your chances of having memory loss. Some common risk factors are:
Complications from memory loss are often related to a person’s inability to take care of themselves. Possible complications may include:
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Memory Loss?
If these examinations aren’t enough to determine the cause of your memory loss, your healthcare provider may perform more detailed testing like:
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.
Learn MoreAn Overview of Subjective Cognitive Impairment
There are many forms of memory loss, and being forgetful doesn’t necessarily mean you have Alzheimer’s disease. Talk to your healthcare provider about your overall health and when your symptoms started. There can be several conditions that can contribute to or cause memory loss.Learn Morehttps://www.verywellhealth.com/alzheimers-4581763
There are many forms of memory loss, and being forgetful doesn’t necessarily mean you have Alzheimer’s disease. Talk to your healthcare provider about your overall health and when your symptoms started. There can be several conditions that can contribute to or cause memory loss.
Learn Morehttps://www.verywellhealth.com/alzheimers-4581763
Learn MoreBrain and Nervous System Conditions
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alzheimer Society.The difference between normal aging and dementia.National Institute on Aging.Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?.MedlinePlus.Memory loss.Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School.7 common causes of forgetfulness.National Institutes of Health.Memory, forgetfulness, and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?.Alzheimer’s Association.Causes and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.National Institutes of Health.Alzheimer’s disease: Common medical problems.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Alzheimer Society.The difference between normal aging and dementia.National Institute on Aging.Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?.MedlinePlus.Memory loss.Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School.7 common causes of forgetfulness.National Institutes of Health.Memory, forgetfulness, and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?.Alzheimer’s Association.Causes and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.National Institutes of Health.Alzheimer’s disease: Common medical problems.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Alzheimer Society.The difference between normal aging and dementia.National Institute on Aging.Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?.MedlinePlus.Memory loss.Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School.7 common causes of forgetfulness.National Institutes of Health.Memory, forgetfulness, and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?.Alzheimer’s Association.Causes and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.National Institutes of Health.Alzheimer’s disease: Common medical problems.
Alzheimer Society.The difference between normal aging and dementia.
National Institute on Aging.Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?.
MedlinePlus.Memory loss.
Harvard Health Publishing/Harvard Medical School.7 common causes of forgetfulness.
National Institutes of Health.Memory, forgetfulness, and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?.
Alzheimer’s Association.Causes and risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
National Institutes of Health.Alzheimer’s disease: Common medical problems.
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