Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Long Does Short-Term Memory Loss Last?Early Warning Signs of Short-Term Memory LossCauses of Short-Term Memory LossShort-Term Memory Loss DiagnosisShort-Term Memory Loss TreatmentCoping

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How Long Does Short-Term Memory Loss Last?

Early Warning Signs of Short-Term Memory Loss

Causes of Short-Term Memory Loss

Short-Term Memory Loss Diagnosis

Short-Term Memory Loss Treatment

Coping

Short-termmemory losshappens when things are forgotten within 30 seconds of their occurrence. This may include conversations, events, or something seen, heard, or thought that happened very recently.There are many possible causes of short-term memory loss, such as not getting enoughquality sleepor experiencing emotional challenges.

Learn about short-term memory loss, the symptoms, possible causes, and more.

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Short-termmemoryentails things that happened within the past 30 seconds.For example, someone may decide to write a letter to a friend but forget what they are doing 10 seconds later when they have a pen in hand. This means that something forgotten even minutes after it happens is not considered short-term memory loss.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term MemoryIt is considered long-term memory loss if an experience is forgotten after more than 30 seconds.Long-term memories can be recalled years after they happen.For example, people remember significant events, such as their wedding day or a favorite vacation, for life.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Memory

It is considered long-term memory loss if an experience is forgotten after more than 30 seconds.Long-term memories can be recalled years after they happen.For example, people remember significant events, such as their wedding day or a favorite vacation, for life.

Because short-term memory loss isforgetfulnesswithin seconds of the event, early warning signs involve memory loss that happens right away.For example, someone with short-term memory loss may forget the name of a new person directly after they are introduced or forget a statement that was just said to them in conversation. This can make regular tasks challenging, interfere with daily life, and become dangerous in some situations.

There are various causes of short-term memory loss, including:

Memory loss may signify a more serious condition or disorder, such asAlzheimer’s, but that is not always the case.

Memory Loss and Aging

Many people consider forgetfulness to be a normal part ofaging.Though memory loss and aging may commonly occur together, it does not mean one causes the other. There are many things you can do to prevent short-term memory loss, including:

Various health conditions are associated with short-term memory loss. Perhaps the first condition that comes to mind isAlzheimer’s disease. However, there are other possibilities as well.

Some health conditions related to short-term memory loss include:

Your healthcare provider will ask you about your medical history and may perform one or more of the following:

Treatment for short-term memory loss depends on the underlying cause. For example, people with Alzheimer’s disease may take a prescriptionmedication.Other options may include over-the-counter (OTC) treatments, prescription medications, or lifestyle changes.

Many treatment options involve addressing the causes of memory loss (for example, treatinginsomniato prevent memory loss resulting from difficulty sleeping).Consult with a healthcare provider to ensure your treatment is safe and effective.

Lifestyle and behavior changes can go a long way toward preventing or treating short-term memory loss, including:

Summary

Short-term memory loss is forgetfulness within 30 seconds of an event. There are many possible causes, such as challenges with sleep, medication side effects, or brain injury. It may also be an early warning sign of a health condition such as Alzheimer’s or hypothyroidism. A healthcare provider may perform blood tests or brain imaging to diagnose short-term memory loss. Treatment is individual and based on your health status and the underlying cause of your short-term memory loss.

12 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.Duke University.How long is short-term memory? Shorter than you might think.National Institute on Aging.Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?Camina E, Güell F.The neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and psychological basis of memory: current models and their origins.Front Pharmacol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00438Harvard Health Publishing.7 common causes of forgetfulness.National Institute on Aging.Memory, forgetfulness, and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The truth about aging and dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism (underactive).Sleep Foundation.Memory and sleep.University of California San Francisco Health.Mild cognitive impairment.Alzheimer’s Association.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s.National Institute on Aging.How is Alzheimer’s disease treated?

12 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.Duke University.How long is short-term memory? Shorter than you might think.National Institute on Aging.Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?Camina E, Güell F.The neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and psychological basis of memory: current models and their origins.Front Pharmacol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00438Harvard Health Publishing.7 common causes of forgetfulness.National Institute on Aging.Memory, forgetfulness, and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The truth about aging and dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism (underactive).Sleep Foundation.Memory and sleep.University of California San Francisco Health.Mild cognitive impairment.Alzheimer’s Association.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s.National Institute on Aging.How is Alzheimer’s disease treated?

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.

Duke University.How long is short-term memory? Shorter than you might think.National Institute on Aging.Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?Camina E, Güell F.The neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and psychological basis of memory: current models and their origins.Front Pharmacol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00438Harvard Health Publishing.7 common causes of forgetfulness.National Institute on Aging.Memory, forgetfulness, and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The truth about aging and dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism (underactive).Sleep Foundation.Memory and sleep.University of California San Francisco Health.Mild cognitive impairment.Alzheimer’s Association.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s.National Institute on Aging.How is Alzheimer’s disease treated?

Duke University.How long is short-term memory? Shorter than you might think.

National Institute on Aging.Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?

Camina E, Güell F.The neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and psychological basis of memory: current models and their origins.Front Pharmacol. 2017;8. doi:10.3389/fphar.2017.00438

Harvard Health Publishing.7 common causes of forgetfulness.

National Institute on Aging.Memory, forgetfulness, and aging: What’s normal and what’s not?

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.The truth about aging and dementia.

Alzheimer’s Association.10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

American Thyroid Association.Hypothyroidism (underactive).

Sleep Foundation.Memory and sleep.

University of California San Francisco Health.Mild cognitive impairment.

Alzheimer’s Association.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s.

National Institute on Aging.How is Alzheimer’s disease treated?

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