Memory Loss in Young Adults
For some young adults, having memory problems often can be worrisome. Simply forgetting why you walked in a room, or where you put your keys can be stressful when it happens all the time.
Research proves that memory loss starts at 20, when brain cells that have already slipped away cannot be reproduced in the same quantity again.
Early memory loss is shocking to some, however, research indicates that certain lifestyle can lead to having the early signs of memory loss - no matter how old a person is. The researchers focused on some lifestyle factors such as depression, smoking, physical inactivity, diabetes, and obesity.
Depression and Memory Loss
In a survey of 18,500 individuals aged 18 and 19, 20% claimed having memory problems. Among all the lifestyle factors, depression, physical inactivity, having low education and high blood pressure were the most common conditions linked to memory loss. Having more than one of these conditions also increases the chances of having memory problems in young adults.
Because depression is accompanied by severely apathetic state, it is understandable that people who suffer from the condition are likely to develop memory loss. Apathy causes an individual to not have enough energy to care for their surroundings, which in turn stagnates the cognitive process involved in the memory. As a result, depressed individuals have lesser ability to remember things.
Younger adults, on the other hand, deal with early memory loss that is caused by stress. Stress causes one to suffer from anxiety and strong emotions that eat away the resources the brain needs to consolidate memory. Overuse of mobile phones is also one of the factors that cause memory loss among younger adults, especially when they cannot pay attention to their surroundings because of being occupied with technology. Most of us also rely on computer memory rather than their own. Instead of exercising their memory, some people use navigation devices or just search the web for forgotten information.
Other Reasons for Memory Loss
The early onset of forgetfulness is sometimes treatable if you know the cause. When a doctor is able to track the causes of memory loss of an individual, they can target the condition and lessen your memory problems.
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea is a sleep disorder that causes a person to stop breathing while asleep. You may have sleep apnea when you wake up with a headache and suffer from fatigue throughout the day. Snoring is also a symptom of sleep apnea.
If this condition is not treated, it can affect the spatial navigational memory - the type of memory that is responsible for remembering directions and places. Deep sleep or Rapid Eye Movement (REM) plays a huge role in the memory. In the case of people with sleep apnea, their sleep is constantly interrupted because the oxygen supply to their brain is always blocked. This causes them to wake up multiple times a night, unable to enter deep sleep, therefore causing them to develop memory problems.
Silent Stroke
Stroke can block major blood vessels in the brain. After a silent stroke, mild memory loss can develop gradually when smaller blood vessels are affected. Brain functions can change, causing a condition called vascular cognitive impairment.
The brain is greatly affected when it is oxygen-deprived. In fact, people who have problems remembering things are at risk for stroke and forgetfulness can be an early sign of stroke.
Medications
There are some drugs that can affect the memory. If this is the case with your medication, it must be adjusted accordingly. FDA stated that sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medications, diabetes medication, antidepressant and antihistamines are just a few of the medications that can cause memory problems.
Statins are cholesterol lowering drugs that can increase the risk of having reversible cognitive side effects that includes memory problems and confusion.
Nutritional Deficiency
B12 is a B vitamin essential that has a huge role in normal nerve function. Not having sufficient amount of this vitamin can cause confusion, and in some cases, dementia. About 2.4 micrograms of B12 in our diet is beneficial for maintaining a sharp memory. We can get this vitamin from fishes, fortified cereals, meat and dairy products.
Other lesser-known causes of memory loss include alcoholism, drug abuse, infection in the brain area, mild brain injury caused by head injury as well as tumors.
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