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As a person begins to age, it is reasonable to forget little everyday things. For example, you can forget where you put your car keys, or you can leave your clothes in the washing machine overnight. Forgetfulness is not uncommon for an aging crowd. However, if it goes beyond a couple of things here or there, then it is something that needs to be investigated.
TEN THINGS THAT CAN CAUSE FORGETTING
Forgetfulness can occur for a variety of reasons, and some things need to be evaluated by your doctors. Some simple examples of leaving the house open or forgetting to turn off the curling iron may be typical. However, sometimes they are a sign that something is happening that is more evil.
1. DEMENTIA
Dementia is a disease that affects the brain. It alters memory, rational thinking and causes a significant deterioration of life. What is often confusing about this condition is that it is not specific. Instead, many disorders make up this condition.
Alzheimer's disease is a common form of dementia seen in people over the age of 60, but it is only one of the causes. Since thinking, behavior, and memory are involved, a person's quality of life is significantly inhibited. There are three stages of this disease, which are early, middle, and late.
The early stages may show mild memory impairment, but a person can still function. As an individual progresses to the intermediate stage, they often become melancholic or withdrawn. They may also have a hard time remembering details about current life. One of the distinguishing characteristics is that they want to come home even when they are sitting in the living room.
They will lose control of their bladder and bowels and tend to wander in the evening. The final stage is where they are unable to recognize their loved one's face or remember their name. Most will lose their ability to communicate and require 24-hour attention. Alzheimer's disease is a cruel condition that leaves your body running, but your brain cannot remember your current or past life.
Sadly, a person can live with this horrible memory-robbing condition for up to 20 years. There is no cure for this memory impairment, but some medications and therapies have shown promising results in slowing the progression.
2. DECREASE OF COGNITIVE FUNCTION
Several conditions can cause cognitive decline. One of the most common is diabetes. When a person has diabetes, they can have too much sugar in their system. Too much sugar can cause blurred vision, headaches, and cognitive decline. Other things, like poor nutrition, can also cause a problem with cognitive function.
Since there are many reasons that can cause this problem, it should be investigated if it continues.
3. DEPRESSION
Depression is a mental health problem that can be caused by several conditions. It can be circumstantial or it can be due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. A depressed person will often forget things that they would never have forgotten before.
When a person is in a depressed state, they may have a hard time getting out of bed in the morning, their focus and concentration may not be what they were before, and they have a hard time living life as they once knew. Fortunately, there are several treatment options available.
Depression should not be confused with the blues. If you feel sad or hopeless for more than two weeks, then you need to see a counselor or doctor regarding this problem.
4. MEDICATIONS
All drugs come with side effects. While most are generally well tolerated, some may come with some significant caveats. If you are taking medications, such as those that alter blood pressure or brain chemicals, you can have a side effect of cognitive deficits.
The decline in cognitive function and forgetfulness you feel may go away completely when you stop using the medicine. There are many herbs and natural treatments that can cure your problems, and they do not have the dangerous side effect profiles.
5. INADEQUATE SLEEP
Your body needs a fixed amount of rest to function. If you don't get at least seven hours each night, your body may show signs of sleep deprivation. One of the most significant indications of lack of sleep is memory impairment.
Many things can cause your sleep to be interrupted. One of the most common problems is sleep apnea. Apnea is a common condition that affects more than 22 million people in this country. Unfortunately, more than 80 percent of these people will not receive the proper diagnosis.
Only when a person realizes they are not getting enough sleep, has memory problems, and wakes up with a sore throat every morning do they seek help. Insomnia is another problem for a number of reasons. Since acute insomnia is common, it should be investigated before it becomes a chronic illness.
6. VITAMIN B12 DEFICIENCY
Vitamin B12 deficiency can wreak havoc on your body. It's a common deficiency that research reconnects with proper brain function. Not having enough of this vitamin can cause damage to the brain and nervous system.
Many times, people are misdiagnosed with Alzheimer's disease when they experienced a deficiency of this vitamin all the time. It must be caught early to avoid permanent problems.
7. STRESS
Americans live in a constant state of distress. An estimated four to ten people say their stress levels are too high.
While dealing with stress is an unavoidable part of life, it can also affect the body when it continues for long periods. Your body has a built-in mechanism for responding to stress called "fight or flight." When it seems like you're in danger, your cortisol and adrenaline levels will rise to meet this challenge.
High cortisol levels can cause problems. Stress will make you say, do and think things that you never thought possible. One thing people who are stressed notice is that they have a hard time with forgetting. Their mind is only capable of handling so much before their shorts and forgets things that they would generally remember.
8. OVERLOAD YOUR BRAIN
When people try to juggle many things at once, they can quickly overload their brain. It can show similar signs to a stressed person. There are only a certain number of things that can be done and remembered in a day.
People who are overwhelmed may forget to pick up their children from school or they may forget things that are part of their daily routines. Your brain will prioritize what it needs to do, and sometimes when your chemicals are messed up from anxiety and stress, you can miss a few things along the way.
9. THYROID PROBLEMS
The thyroid is a powerful organ that controls many of the body's functions. If your thyroid is hypo or hyper, it means that it is producing too much or not enough hormones. This organ can control your heart, body temperature, and even the metabolism of your food.
The thyroid releases the hormones T3 and T4. When there is a deficiency in the body, known as hypothyroidism, the body can slow down. These people will feel sluggish, gain weight, and may have forgetfulness problems.
Fortunately, if your thyroid causes memory problems, it is an easy solution. Taking a hormone replacement or herbal replacement can bring these chemicals back to a sufficient level.
10. MEDICAL ISSUES
Sometimes forgetting is caused by an underlying medical condition that has not yet been diagnosed. One of the most common conditions that can cause memory impairment is multiple sclerosis (MS), although it is not the only one.
MS is a condition in which the immune system eats away the protective covering of nerves in the body. The damage disrupts communication between the body and the brain, resulting in many problems. One of the problems that people experience is memory loss.
Other conditions, such as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease, which is a disorder of the nervous system, can also cause problems with memory. Parkinson's, Huntington's, and other movement disorders that affect the brain can cause memory lapses and conative problems.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON WHEN TO GET HELP FOR YOUR FORGETTING
When it comes to forgetting, it is essential to assess the severity of the condition. If it's something that happens once or twice, it probably doesn't need to be evaluated.
However, when impaired memory becomes common and worse, it is worth having a medical professional evaluate the condition and make sure it is not degenerative.
Some things, like anxiety and depression, can improve. These conditions can cause a temporary deterioration, but will improve as the situation improves. Unfortunately, diseases like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's will not improve as these conditions are degenerative and will only get worse.
