Short Term Memory Loss Myths and Facts

Due to the very agitated and dynamic environments people live in, short term memory loss is not a surprising phenomenon anymore. The great amount of information coming from all parts makes it almost impossible for the brain to process it and assimilate it fast and efficiently. There are also some complex situations that might cause a memory shortage, but most often is the stress and the inadequate alimentation that make people forget where they’ve put their keys.

What can cause the loss of short term memory?

Stress, anxiety and fury are some of the most common causes of memory shortages. When someone is nervous or passes through a very busy period, blood pressure tends to grow and that puts a lot of pressure on brain activities. And if these mental states are combined with an inadequate diet, lacking vitamins, amino acids and other essential nutrients, then it shouldn’t be a surprise if the brain gets lazy in processing information and recall it instantly.

Thyroid disorders and diabetes or low levels of glucose can also lead to short time memory loss. Apart from these apparently simple causes, there are some more complicated ones, like the Parkinson’s disease or the Alzheimer’s disease. The problem with these two last conditions is that they not only affect the short time memory, but also the long term one.

What is the sudden short term memory loss?

This condition is usually caused by a physical disorder. A head injury for instance, might affect the area of the brain in charge with memorizing the facts and information. This is usually an irreversible condition and the lost memories are, most of the time, impossible to recover. Another cause of the sudden memory shortage is the stroke. When the blood pressure increases too much in the capillary vases that oxygenate the brain an explosion is likely to happen. This can damage the brain surface and affect the activity of the memory area.

Meningitis or other similar infections of the brain are among the common causes of the loss of short-term memory. Epilepsy has a high influence on the capacity of remembering things that happened in the past and processing new information in one of its advanced stages. The bad news is that the loss of short term memory causes more serious conditions of the brain, such as confusion that can easily lead to paranoia and dementia.

What to do to avoid memory loss on the short term?

Even if the simple cases of memory loss are treatable, it’s always better to prevent than to treat. Therefore, people should try to have an equilibrated diet and a balanced lifestyle. They should avoid drinking alcohol, taking drugs, smoking and drinking coffee and, instead, eat natural foods and drink a lot of fluids (water, green tea, natural juices rich in vitamin C). Eliminating stress is almost an impossible mission, but they could alternate working periods with relaxing activities and even try some stress relief techniques. They could also try to memorize as few information as possible in order to give the brain a break and avoid the short term memory loss.