Forgetting things once in a while can be frustrating. However sometimes it starts to become a serious problem. If it’s affecting your overall well-being, like forgetting to pay your bills, or misplacing important items, then it’s important to identify the problem.
By figuring out what is causing your memory issues, you can hopefully remedy the problem, and ultimately stop forgetting things. Here are some of the possible reasons why your memory is starting to slip.
Stress
Stress can take its toll on us in a variety of ways. One of the most common symptoms of stress is forgetting things. If the stress is intense enough, it can lead to full-fledged blackouts. It’s our body’s way of self preservation and protecting ourselves from unpleasant memories.
If you have a job which is extremely stressful, then it can leave you feeling clouded and forgetful. When you’re in a calm and controlled state of mind you are more likely to write down important dates, and create lists for yourself of important matters that need to get done.
Medication
There are some medications that can leave us feeling downright drowsy. As a result, we could find ourselves being more forgetful and spaced out than usual. If you’ve noticed that your memory has started slipping since you’ve started taking a certain medication, then you might want to ask yourself whether it’s connected.
If possible, try skipping the medication for a day and see if it makes a difference on your state of mind. If it does, then you may want to talk to your doctor about alternative medications without memory altering effects.
Alcohol
Although we may think that an occasional glass of wine here and there is innocent, over time, repeated alcohol consumption can start to significantly impact your brain’s health. Too much drinking can leave you feeling confused, and forgetful, particularly the day after a big night of drinking. If you hope to preserve your memory, you should definitely limit the amount of alcohol you consume.
An Injury
If you recently got into an accident, or suffered a bump on the head, you may be experiencing memory loss as a result of a concussion. It’s critical that you see a doctor right away, and that you determine whether your memory loss is the result of head trauma. In some cases it can be fatal, so you’re always better off being examined by a doctor even if you’re convinced you’re fine.
These are just a few possibilities for why you’re suddenly starting to forget things here and there. If you’re genuinely concerned, the best solution is always to talk with your primary care provider. They’ll be able to take a closer look at your family health history, and your overall health to find the most logical solution for your memory woes.