Surprising Reasons for Memory Loss and getting a Neurology Alzheimer’s test

When people forget little things like where they put their keys or the name of an acquaintance, they immediately start thinking about whether it is the beginning of Alzheimer’s disease.

However, Alzheimer’s is not the only health issue that can lead to memory loss.

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), several factors can contribute to memory loss, and not all of them are as scary as Alzheimer’s. It is important to consult your doctor if you are experiencing any memory loss.

Your doctor is the only qualified person who can diagnose the correct reason for your memory being on the fritz.

It is important to diagnose the underlying reason for the memory loss before drawing any conclusions.

Hence, you should talk to your primary care doctor before you conclude anything based on the memory loss symptoms that you are experiencing.

So, what are the other reasons for apparent memory loss, and are they treatable? Let’s find out.

1. Nutritional deficiency

One of the biggest reasons for temporary lapses in memory is the deficiency of certain key nutrients.

Research indicates that a lack of Vitamin B12 can lead to the development of dementia.

Vitamin B12 is a key vitamin that is responsible for the proper functioning of neurons.

A deficiency of this vitamin can lead to neurons being weak and struggling to communicate information to other neurons.

The daily recommended allowance of vitamin B12 is 2.4 micrograms, and you can easily meet this requirement through your diet as long as you have a properly balanced diet.

Try to include foods rich in vitamin B12 like milk, meat, fish, and other dairy products to avoid the deficiency of this key vitamin.

Vitamin D is yet another crucial vitamin that helps your brain to function properly. If you are experiencing any minor memory lapses, it is wise to get your vitamin D levels checked.

A deficiency in vitamin D can also result in depression and anxiety.

Several foods are rich in vitamin D, including the ones mentioned above- milk and milk products, meat, and fish.

2. Certain medications

Several medications commonly used to treat various health conditions can be a reason for your brain becoming foggy.

If you are experiencing any memory loss due to medication, it is usually a sign that the dose of the medicine needs to be altered.

Some of the most common medications that can potentially hamper your memory include-

• Anti-anxiety and antidepression meds
• Some pain killers
• Some antidiabetic medications
• Some centrally-acting antihistamines
• Cholesterol-reducing medications, especially ‘statins.’

Statins are among the most common causes of temporary memory loss in patients treated for high cholesterol levels.

However, the side effects of these drugs on memory are reversible; if you are experiencing significant memory loss while on these drugs, inform your doctor immediately. Lowering the dosage often resolves the issue.

Another common drug that can cause memory issues is metformin, which is a very popular antidiabetic drug. It has been found to increase the pace of cognitive function loss in older patients.

3. Lack of sleep

If you are not getting enough sleep, you are putting undue stress on your nervous system, leading to lapses in memory and a decline in cognitive function.

Many people with sleep apnea can also have accelerated memory loss. It is a condition in which you tend to have difficulty breathing (or stop breathing for a few seconds) in your sleep.

The disorder, although treatable, is linked to an increase in the incidence of memory loss and dementia.

If you tend to wake up with a headache or fatigue throughout the day, you might be suffering from sleep apnea. It is important to get yourself tested before the condition worsens.

A study found that if sleep apnea is left untreated, it can lead to short-term memory and spatial memory issues. People with sleep apnea are unusually bad with direction as the condition affects their spatial memory, linked to navigating.

The reason for these effects of sleep apnea on the brain and memory arises because people with sleep apnea can have less oxygen supplied to their brains while they sleep.

The lack of oxygen can have serious consequences on the performance of neurons and neuronal pathways, which leads to memory issues.

4. Stress, anxiety, and other mental issues

Stress, anxiety, and depression are the unfortunate repercussions of the modern unhealthy lifestyle. Any stress can hamper your brain activity and put your brain on overdrive, tiring it out, and causing you to lose track of things.

Scientists suggest that people who constantly juggle more than one responsibility are more susceptible to developing stress-related memory loss.

For instance, people handling their work and home responsibilities and having less time for themselves can build anxiety and memory issues.

5. Other less common causes of memory loss

Apart from the abovementioned causes, there can be other reasons for memory loss in people of all ages.

Some of the reasons can be:

Microbial infections

Some microbial diseases such as meningitis and neurosyphilis can also cause a reduction in the memory capacity of the brain.

Physical injury to the brain

Injury to the brain, including concussion, can cause damage to the neurons responsible for making new memories. It might also result in confusion and difficulty in concentration.

Substance abuse

Substance abuse, including alcoholism, can have a huge impact on memory and the ability of your brain to function in general. Some of the drugs used recreationally have a neuro-degrative action that can destroy the power of your brain to make new memories.

Diagnostic tests

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia typically begins with a medical history and physical exam.

The medical history will help to identify any risk factors or medical conditions that could be contributing to cognitive decline.

The physical exam can help to rule out other potential causes of dementia, such as a brain tumor or stroke.

From there, a variety of diagnostic tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s dementia or cognitive impairment.

These tests can assess memory, language skills, thinking abilities, and mood.

Blood tests

There is no single blood test to detect dementia. Typically, you will need to get several blood tests including Vit B12, thyroid stimulating hormone, and regular blood counts to rule out conditions that mimic dementia such as hypothyroidism.

Brain imaging

Brain imaging plays an important role in Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) are two techniques that can be used to visualize the brain.

MRI provides detailed images of the brain structure, while PET can reveal areas of abnormal activity.

Brain imaging can also be used to monitor the progression of dementia and to assess the effectiveness of treatments.

Alzheimer’s disease

Though there is no one test that can definitively diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, doctors can use a variety of tools and criteria to make a determination.

These may include blood tests, brain imaging studies, cognitive testing, and assessments of behavior.

Early diagnosis is important, as it gives patients and their families the opportunity to plan for the future and make treatment decisions while the person is still able to do so.

However, making a diagnosis can be difficult, as many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are also seen in other conditions.

Blood test results

Recently, researchers have found that certain blood tests may be able to predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Specifically, higher levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and lower levels of vitamin B12 have been linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.

Additionally, hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) has been found to mimic the symptoms of dementia, while low vitamin B12 levels can cause memory problems and cognitive decline.

As such, it is important for people who are at risk for Alzheimer’s to get their blood levels checked regularly.

By doing so, Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed patients can receive early treatment that could slow its progression.

New testing

The Lumipulse test is used to measure the amount of β-amyloid 1-42 and β-amyloid 1-40 in human cerebral spinal fluid.

This information can help physicians determine whether a patient has amyloid plaques, which is a hallmark sign of Alzheimer’s disease.

Results from this test must be interpreted with other patient clinical information.

The Lumipulse test can be a helpful tool for physicians when diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease but it is important to remember that it is just one part of the diagnosis.

Clinical trials

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, treatments are available to help manage the symptoms.

Clinical trials are an important part of research into Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative disorders, as they provide crucial data about potential new treatments.

Participation in a clinical trial can be a valuable experience for both patients and researchers, and it offers hope for the future treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

How Prime MD Plus can help

At Prime MD Plus, our board-certified geriatrician can help to diagnose and treat your memory loss.

We will get laboratory tests to help rule out other causes of memory loss, such as thyroid problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, and depression.

We will also review your medical history, conduct a physical examination, and get other testing that is needed.

Based on all of this information, we will be able to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.

We can help get you to any available clinical trials as well.

If you are concerned about memory loss, please contact us today to schedule an appointment. We will work with you to ensure that you receive the care and treatment that you deserve.

Conclusion

There can be several reasons for you not being able to remember things other than Alzheimer’s. However, most of the grounds on this list are benign and completely reversible.

If your recent memory loss is bothering you, you must visit your doctor to straighten things out. Your doctor might be able to guide you through the issues with a further evaluation which may include brain scans, imaging tests, and/or genetic testing.

Consult a specialized doctor for any kind of memory issues with Prime MD Plus, where you can connect with a board-certified geriatrician in the Dallas-Fort Worth area to help diagnose and manage any memory problems you may have. Check out primemdplus.com for more information.