Sudden Memory Loss? Let's talk about this.

Do you sometimes forget a word? Do you forget where you put your keys? It's normal for these things to happen from time to time, especially as you get older. But imagine, if you suddenly forgot the names of your children, or if you couldn't remember where you were... it would be a truly frightening experience. Sudden memory loss like this could be a sign of something more serious than we might think.

Usually, this kind of sudden memory loss is not caused by a disease like dementia, which gradually reduces memory. It is often caused by a disease, medication, or a sudden event that affects brain function. In diseases like Alzheimer's disease, memory is gradually lost as brain cells are gradually destroyed. But sudden memory loss can often be treated. Let's look at what can cause it and what can be done about it.

What medications do you use?

Some medications you take can affect your memory. Simply put, these medications block the action of a chemical in the brain called acetylcholine. This acetylcholine is essential for memory, learning, and attention. People with Alzheimer's have low levels of this chemical. The table below lists some common medications that can cause memory loss.

If you are taking a medication like this and are having problems with your memory, do not stop taking the medication immediately, but talk to your doctor and ask if you can switch to another medication.

Stress, anxiety, or depression

Studies have found that people with depression have a reduced ability to recall old memories. One explanation for this is that when you are stressed or depressed, your body's levels of a hormone called corticosteroid increase. When you are in this state for a long time, these high levels of hormones can damage memory signals in the brain.

Also, some antidepressants can increase the risk of memory loss. If you have memory problems while taking such medications, talk to your doctor to see if you can change your medication.

Other health reasons

Vitamin B12 deficiency

Not getting enough vitamin B12 in your diet can also affect your memory. This nutrient helps your body get energy from food and protects the nerve cells that help you think clearly. Our bodies don't make B12, so we get it from animal foods like meat, fish, milk, cheese, and eggs. People who follow a vegan diet may be deficient in this vitamin. If you have a B12 deficiency, talk to your doctor about taking a supplement.

Thyroid problems

The thyroid gland in your neck produces hormones that control how quickly your body burns energy. When this gland doesn't produce enough hormones (hypothyroidism), your entire body slows down. You may feel tired, depressed, and forgetful. This can be detected with a blood test.

Excessive alcohol use

If you drink a lot of alcohol (binge drinking), you can have a "blackout." This means you lose all or part of your memory of what happened while you were drinking. Alcohol prevents the brain from forming new long-term memories. If you continue to drink alcohol at this rate, your memory loss can become permanent.

Head injuries

A fall, a car accident, or a severe blow to the head can cause people to forget events. Even if the accident does not result in loss of consciousness, there may be a sudden loss of memory. Depending on the severity of the accident, memory problems may disappear within 24 hours or become permanent.

Stroke

A stroke occurs when a blood vessel supplying blood to the brain is blocked or bursts, causing a loss of blood supply to part of the brain. Without oxygen, brain cells begin to die. This can lead to short-term or long-term memory loss.

Brain Tumors

Memory can be affected by a brain tumor or its treatment (chemotherapy, surgery, radiation). This condition is sometimes called `` chemo brain '' or ``chemo fog.'' Extreme fatigue caused by cancer can also interfere with thinking clearly.

Brain Aneurysm

A balloon-like bulge in the wall of a weakened blood vessel is called an aneurysm. This usually doesn't cause any problems until it bursts. However, a person with an unruptured aneurysm may experience problems with short-term memory.

Transient Global Amnesia (TGA)

This is another rare cause of sudden memory loss. In this condition, you forget things like recent events and where you are. You may ask the same questions over and over again. But you remember your name and the names of those closest to you. These symptoms usually go away completely in less than 24 hours.

The exact cause of this condition is unknown. People over the age of 50 are at higher risk . The condition can develop after the following:

• Sudden exposure to cold or hot water
• A severe emotional shock
• Intense exercise
• Some medical tests (e.g. endoscopy)
• Sexual activity

`TGA` is nothing to be afraid of, and it doesn't require treatment. It heals on its own.

When should you see a doctor?

No matter how old we are, we all forget things from time to time. But if you or someone close to you has any of the following symptoms, it's important to see a doctor.

Remember! Sudden memory loss is an emergency.

If someone close to you suddenly loses their memory, treat it as a medical emergency. Take them to a hospital's emergency room (ETU) immediately. Since the person may not remember recent events, you will need to tell the doctors what happened before the memory loss.

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