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While forgetfulness may raise concerns about serious conditions, it is important to make simple behavioural and lifestyle changes before resorting to heavy medication.
Stress and anxiety weaken brain function and memory retention.
Memory lapses can be frustrating, and sometimes even alarming. When forgetfulness becomes more frequent, it may raise concerns about conditions like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. However, before jumping to conclusions, it’s important to recognise the patterns behind your memory issues. In many cases, simple behavioural and lifestyle changes can make a significant difference, without immediately resorting to heavy medication.
Sleep deprivation- Lack of quality sleep is one of the most overlooked causes of forgetfulness. Without adequate restorative sleep, your brain doesn’t get the time it needs to consolidate memories. Sleep deprivation can also trigger mood swings and anxiety, both of which further affect memory retention.
Alcohol- Drinking excessive alcohol can impair short-term memory, even after the immediate effects have worn off. Chronic drinking is not only harmful to your liver and overall health but also disrupts cognitive function over time.
Stress and Anxiety- Constant stress, whether from overwork or personal life, can lead to mental fatigue. This weakens brain function, slowing down neural connections and making it harder to store or recall information. Stress also hinders the formation of new memories and disrupts the recall of old ones. Lack of physical activity can worsen these effects.
Underactive Thyroid- An underperforming thyroid gland can impact memory, disrupt sleep, and even cause depression, all of which are known contributors to forgetfulness. A simple blood test can reveal thyroid imbalances, which are often manageable with medication.
Medical memory loss treatments are always an option when your forgetfulness goes beyond control. But, in the initial stages, one should consider some simple behavioural management recommendations to help cope with these changes, particularly for short-term memory loss treatment.
- Follow a routine to keep everyday necessities, such as wallets, keys, spectacles, and mobile phones, in one place.
- Note everything down. Don’t rely on your brain to recall dates, people, locations, and specifics. Use a pocket notepad, sticky notes, or a voice recorder. Use memory mnemonics, simple codes that help you remember long chunks of information.
- Concentrate on one item at a time. Multitasking ruins all jobs since the brain can only do one thing at a time.
- Memorise things twice. If you need to recall something important, review it several times to fully absorb the information.
If you are taking medicine for a pre-existing ailment, ask your doctor can recommend alternate brands or drug combinations that will not cause memory loss or forgetfulness.
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Delhi, India, India
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