Why am so forgetful

Vascular dementia also causes serious memory problems. This is because the memory loss and confusion are caused by small strokes or changes in the blood supply to the brain. Further strokes can make the situation worse. Taking care of your high blood pressure can lower your chances of getting this illness. Your doctor may be able to diagnose the problem or refer you to an expert who specializes in memory problems.

Problems With Your Smell or Taste? Donate Your Brain for Research. Editor: Harrison Wein, Ph. Managing Editor: Tianna Hicklin, Ph. Illustrator: Alan Defibaugh. Attention Editors: Reprint our articles and illustrations in your own publication. The thyroid gland is a butterfly-shaped gland present in the front of the neck. It helps to regulate many body functions by constantly releasing a steady amount of thyroid hormones into the bloodstream. Hypothyroidism is the condition when thyroid gland stops releasing the required amount of thyroid hormone in the body.

People with undiagnosed or untreated hypothyroidism may face memory problems and difficulty concentrating. Researches have also shown that people with untreated hypothyroidism present with a decrease in the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning.

Along with forgetfulness, other symptoms of hypothyroidism could be sudden weight gain, over-sensitivity to cold, dry skin even during summers and persistent hair loss. Vitamin B12 is one of the important elements that the body requires for the production of DNA, red blood cells and the proper functioning of the brain. Vitamin B12 is also important for nerves as it helps in maintaining intact myelin sheaths the protective covering around nerves.

Deficiency of Vitamin B12 in a young person can possibly lead to reversible memory loss and dementia-like symptoms in them. Since vitamin B12 is not produced in the body, one needs to take it in forms of food and supplements.

Depression may lead to forgetfulness and state of confusion in the patient. Pseudodementia is a clinical state where the person is suffering from depression but mimics the symptoms of dementia. A person suffering from pseudodementia may present with symptoms like a delayed response to any stimuli, forgetting things and people, slurred speech, persistent sadness, feeling of fatigue, disturbed sleep, decreased appetite, low self-esteem, and suicidal ideation.

For more on this topic, please read our article on Memory Loss. Health articles in Firstpost are written by myUpchar. As shown in the table below, alternatives are usually available. Underactive thyroid. A faltering thyroid can affect memory as well as disturb sleep and cause depression, both of which can be causes of forgetfulness. A simple blood test can tell if your thyroid is doing its job properly. Drinking too much alcohol can interfere with short-term memory, even after the effects of alcohol have worn off.

One drink is generally defined as 1. Stress and anxiety. Anything that makes it harder to concentrate and lock in new information and skills can lead to memory problems.