What Causes Memory Loss: Short-Term & Long-Term?

Sometimes people forget things when they've got too much going on. When you're rushing to get to work, and you're scrambling to find your car keys, you might have forgotten where you left them the night before. Or you're in the middle of an argument with your significant other because you forgot your anniversary date. If any of these scenarios sound familiar, you might be wondering what causes memory loss. Luckily, these factors don't necessarily indicate that you're experiencing memory problems.

On the other hand, if you notice your ageing parent or partner struggling to remember what day it is or what their grandchild's name is, they might be developing memory loss. You must figure out what stage of memory loss they are in to help accordingly. If they are at a severe stage where they have difficulty remembering a lot of vital information, it might be time to look into Sagecare dementia care homes to ask for a lending hand. However, if they are in primary stages, you might provide other types of support. Here is a guide to help you understand the causes of short-term and long-term memory loss.

Understanding Short-Term Memory Loss

Your father is sitting at the dinner table telling your family about his day. You asked him what he ate for lunch, and he blanked out. That's a scenario of short-term memory loss. Often, it could just be a normal part of ageing. However, it could also be an indicator of a bigger health problem.

Short-term memory refers to the way your brain remembers minor pieces of information. When an individual experiences short-term memory loss, they usually remember the incidents that occurred in the past two decades but forget the details about a recent incident in the past hour.

Understanding Long-Term Memory Loss

Your mother might be driving to work along the same route they took for several years. Suddenly, you hear her complain that she forgets the directions and gets lost every day. Despite being pinned to her memory for years, the inability to remember the directions could indicate that she's experiencing long-term memory loss.

Long-term refers to the way your brain stores names and anecdotes over a long time. It is associated with the way you perform daily activities. When an individual sees a decline in long-term memory, it has more significant consequences. In some cases, memory loss could occur due to dementia, which would require immediate attention. We provide personalized care for dementia to ensure that your loved one remains healthy. Sagecare is staffed with registered nurses and built into a high-end care home to provide peace of mind to all residents and their families.

Causes of Short-Term Memory Loss?

Although many cases of short-term memory loss may not be severe, it could be an ordinary sign of ageing, and some causes might be alarming. Some potential causes of short-term memory loss include:

· Ageing

· Stress

· Dementia – E.g., Alzheimer's disease or Lewy body dementia

· Brain tumours and infections

· Blood clots

· Head injuries

· Mental health conditions – E.g., depression or anxiety

· Lack of sleep

Some causes of memory loss and forgetfulness, such as stress or lack of sleep, can be improved by focusing on activities or medication that reduce stress and induce sleep. However, more major potential causes such as head injuries, tumours, and dementia require professional care. If your loved one gets diagnosed with dementia, you may need to look into memory care facilities in Toronto to ask for a helping hand. At Sagecare, our primary goal is to help provide an environment where residents can age in place and feel at home.

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What Causes Long-Term Memory Loss?

There are a few different factors that can contribute to long-term memory loss. Treating the underlying cause can help you reverse the memory loss if done within the right time. Some potential causes of long-term memory loss can include:

· Mental health problems – E.g., depression or anxiety

· Stress

· Side effects of prescription drugs

· B-12 deficiency

· Hydrocephalus (water on the brain)

· Drug and alcohol misuses

· Head injuries and infections

· Strokes

· Epilepsy

Although the list doesn't end there, some of these causes of memory loss and confusion damage the brain and are reversible. For example, mental health problems, stress, and prescription drugs side effects are factors you can take into your hands by getting professional help. Treating the underlying cause can stop long-term memory loss from escalating. However, some causes such as severe brain injuries or strokes can damage the brain and memory loss due to those issues might not be reversible.

Symptoms of Short-Term Memory Loss

Sometimes you might be able to identify if a friend, family member, or yourself is experiencing short-term memory loss. Other times, it might require you to dig in and observe all the symptoms closely. Here are some short-term memory loss symptoms to provide you with a clearer understanding.

· Repeatedly asking the same questions

· Misplacing things

· Forgetting recent events and names

Sometimes, short-term memory loss could be one of the symptoms of dementia that require immediate treatment. Nipping the problem at its bud might stop the problem from escalating or slow down its progression.

Symptoms of Long-Term Memory Loss

Usually, long-term memory loss symptoms are easier to identify as they are more prevalent. Some symptoms are listed below.

· Forgetting common words

· Getting lost in familiar places

· Mixing up words

· Confusion about familiar tasks

· Mood changes

If you're concerned about any of these symptoms, the best way to figure out if these are associated with memory loss is by consulting a doctor. The sooner one seeks treatment, the higher the chances of potentially reversing the memory loss.

Dealing with Memory Loss

Whether you or a loved one is dealing with memory loss, it can be a challenging process for everyone involved in the process. Although some causes of memory loss might seem minor, they can spiral into more significant problems if left untreated. The best thing you can do if your loved one is facing memory loss is to offer support in all forms and help them through this challenging time.