These conditions can impair blood flow to the brain and can damage blood vessels in the brain itself. Memory loss and other cognitive impairments can sometimes occur as a result of chronic cardiovascular conditions, such as high blood pressure or “hypertension” and high cholesterol. hypercalcemia and hypocalcemia, which refer to abnormally high or low levels of calcium in the blood, respectively.hyponatremia, which is the medical term for very low levels of salt in the blood.This system is composed of a network of glands that produce and secrete hormones to enable or support bodily functions.Ĭonditions that affect the endocrine system can interfere with brain functioning and may cause memory problems. Learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia here and Parkinson’s disease here Endocrine conditionsĮndocrine conditions are those that affect the endocrine system. People with PD can develop memory problems a year or more following their initial diagnosis. AD usually affects episodic memory, which involves events, rather than procedural memory, which helps people remember skills. As AD progresses and becomes more severe, the condition may also begin to impact long-term memory. Short-term memory loss is a common sign of AD, especially during the earlier stages of the disease. The most common neurodegenerative conditions associated with memory loss are Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). This damage may eventually lead to irreversible memory loss. Neurodegenerative conditions cause progressive damage to cells in the brain and nervous system. If the brain damage is permanent, the memory loss may also be permanent. Severe or penetrating injuries can cause memory loss lasting longer than 7 days. Concussion-induced memory problems typically last less than 24 hours. A TBI has the potential to cause short-term or long-term memory problems, depending on the severity of the injury and the regions of the brain involved.Ī concussion is a mild TBI that can impair short-term memory or affect a person’s ability to recall information from long-term memory. Traumatic brain injuriesĪ traumatic brain injury (TBI) is any injury that affects brain function. Short-term memory problems often resolve once a person begins wearing devices to correct or compensate for their vision or hearing loss. Problems with vision or hearing can affect a person’s ability to take in new information and make new memories. In some cases, treating the underlying infection helps to resolve the memory loss. Some infections that can cause memory loss include: These infections may be viral, bacterial, or fungal.
Many infections can affect the brain directly, causing cognitive changes, such as memory loss or delirium. Examples include cannabis and psychedelics.Ĭhronic drug use can cause irreversible long-term memory loss. Some recreational drugs can interfere with brain chemistry, triggering short-term memory impairments. Sleep apnea: A condition in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts while a person sleeps.ĭrinking too much alcohol can impair short-term memory.Įxcessive alcohol consumption over time can cause permanent brain changes that impact both short- and long-term memory.Narcolepsy: A condition characterized by periods of excessive sleepiness or sudden and uncontrolled sleep episodes.Insomnia: Difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep throughout the night.Some sleep problems that could increase the risk of memory problems include: Unless a person has an underlying sleep problem, these memory issues should resolve when people manage to improve their sleep schedule. As such, getting an insufficient amount of sleep each night can interfere with short-term memory. This is the process of preserving key memories and discarding excessive or irrelevant information. Scientists generally agree that sleep is important for memory consolidation. Serious memory problems may be a sign of an underlying condition, such as dementia. Long-term memory problems may present as difficulty retrieving previously learned information or memories.Īge-related memory problems are typically mild or temporary. Short-term memory problems may present as difficulty learning new information. Possible causes of memory loss include the following: AgingĪging can cause brain changes that may affect both short-term and long-term memory. Almost any condition that causes brain damage or interferes with brain function or chemistry has the potential to cause short-term or long-term memory loss, or both.
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