Memory Loss: When Forgetfulness Needs a Visit and What Causes It

What it involves

MedlinePlus describes memory loss as unusual forgetfulness, such as being unable to remember new events, recall past ones, or both. It may be short and resolve, or it may persist and, depending on the cause, get worse over time.

Who this is for

• Patients who notice they forget recent conversations or repeat the same questions
• Family members who see changes in a parent or spouse and want to know where to start
• Patients who feel low, stressed, or foggy after an illness, surgery, or head injury
• Patients on several medicines who wonder whether those could be affecting memory

What to expect

• Questions about the type of memory loss, how long it has lasted, and what seemed to start it
• A physical exam and a talk about medicines, other conditions, and mood
• A request, if you agree, to speak with a family member or friend who has seen the changes
• A plan that may include blood tests for treatable causes, imaging, or a referral to a specialist for memory testing

Normal aging or something more

MedlinePlus says normal aging can cause some forgetfulness, such as slower learning of new material or needing more time to recall it, but it does not lead to dramatic memory loss. Dramatic loss is due to other conditions. The question a provider asks first is whether the change came on suddenly or slowly, because the pattern points toward different causes.

Causes that can be treated

Many causes of memory loss are not dementia, and MedlinePlus lists a wide range. The more common ones to check for include:

• Low levels of nutrients such as vitamin B12 or B1
• Depression, stress, or another mental health condition
• Side effects of prescription medicines, alcohol, or other substances
• Poorly controlled seizures, or infections that affect the brain
• Head injury, a recent major surgery or severe illness, or a stroke or transient ischemic attack

Blood tests that look for causes

MedlinePlus lists blood tests for specific suspected diseases, such as low vitamin B12 or thyroid disease, among the tests a provider may order. The vitamin D and B12 guide and the thyroid blood tests guide explain what those results mean. Persistent tiredness alongside forgetfulness is covered in the fatigue guide.

When dementia is a possibility

MedlinePlus says memory loss may be a sign of dementia, which also affects thinking, language, judgment, and behavior. Common types include Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia. Tests it lists for evaluating memory loss include cognitive testing, a CT scan or MRI of the head, and other studies, and treatment depends on the cause. Those evaluations are typically arranged through a specialist, and a primary care provider can start the process and make the referral.

What families can do

MedlinePlus says a person with memory loss needs a lot of support. It suggests showing familiar objects and photos, playing familiar music, and writing down when medicines should be taken or other critical tasks done. When safety or nutrition becomes a concern, extended care options may be worth considering. Managing blood pressure and sugar also matters, as the hypertension page and the diabetes page explain.

When to be seen sooner

A sudden change in memory or thinking, memory loss after a head injury, or confusion with weakness, trouble speaking, or a severe headache needs emergency care rather than a routine visit. MedlinePlus also notes that memory loss after a stroke or a transient ischemic attack is a recognized cause. Dizziness or numbness along with it deserves a prompt look, as the dizziness guide explains.

Sources

• MedlinePlus — Memory loss
• MedlinePlus — Memory