Memory slips are annoying, frustrating, and sometimes frustrating. When they're in excess, they will trigger fears of dementia or Alzheimer's disease. But there are some treatable causes of forgetfulness. Here are six common ones.
Lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep might be the most important underappreciated explanation for forgetfulness. Too little restful sleep can even result in mood swings and anxiety, which may result in problems with memory.
Medicines Tranquilizers, antidepressants, some blood pressure medications, and other medications can affect memory, normally by causing sedation or confusion. This could make it difficult to pay full attention to recent things. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist should you suspect that a brand new medicine is affecting your memory. As shown within the table below, alternatives are commonly available.
Medicines that may affect memory and possible substitutions. |
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If you're taking these medicines… |
Ask about switching to one in every of these medications. 
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Paroxetine (Paxil) |
one other antidepressant akin to fluoxetine (Prozac) or sertraline (Zoloft), or a unique style of antidepressant akin to duloxetine (Cymbalta) or venlafaxine (Effexor) |
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cimetidine (Tagamet) |
A distinct style of heartburn medication, akin to lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec), or esomeprazole (Nexium) |
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oxybutynin (Ditropan) or tolterodine (Detrol, Detrusitol) |
Other medications for overactive bladder, akin to trospamine (Sanctura), solifenacin (Vescare), or darifenacin (Enblex) |
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amitriptyline (Elavil), desipramine (Norpramin), or nortriptyline (Aventyl, Pamelor) |
Other sorts of medication, depending on why your doctor prescribed a tricyclic antidepressant (neuropathic pain, depression, etc.) |
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Cold or allergy medications containing brompheniramine, chlorpheniramine, or diphenhydramine. |
loratadine (Claritin) or other nonsedating antihistamines |
An underactive thyroid. A weak thyroid can affect memory (in addition to disrupt sleep and cause depression, each of which will be causes of forgetfulness). A straightforward blood test can tell in case your thyroid is working properly.
Wines. Drinking an excessive amount of alcohol can interfere with short-term memory even after the consequences of alcohol have worn off. While “too much” varies from individual to individual, it's best to follow the advice of not more than two drinks a day for men and no multiple a day for ladies. A drink is often defined as 1.5 ounces (1 shot glass) of 80 proof spirits, 5 ounces of wine, or 12 ounces of beer.
Stress and anxiety. Anything that makes it difficult to focus and lock in recent information and skills can result in memory problems. Stress and anxiety fill the bill. Both can interfere with attention and stop the formation of latest memories or the retrieval of old memories.
Mental stress. Common symptoms of depression include a suffocating sadness, lack of drive, and decreased pleasure in belongings you normally enjoy. Forgetfulness may also be a symptom—or a result—of depression.
If memory loss is bothering you, it's value talking to your doctor to see if there are any reversible causes at the foundation of the issue. Something like getting more sleep, changing medications, or a stress-reduction program can restore your memory.