Some surprising causes of memory loss

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While some think that forgetfulness is nothing to worry about, memory loss usually accompanies other health issues. Some causes are more unexpected than others, and it is something that anyone can experience at any point in their lives. Dr. Curtis Cripe, the director of research at neuroengineering company NTL Group shares how memory loss can have surprising roots:

Medications Memory loss could be a huge sign of necessary adjustments to current medication. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, there are several types of drugs that can affect memory, including sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medications, antihistamines, antidepressants, painkillers, diabetes medication, and cholesterol-lowering medications.

Stress, depression, and anxiety. Frequent stress, anxiety and depression can lead to problems with memory and attention spans, said Dr. Curtis Cripe. This is a common mental phenomenon experienced by people who lack sleep because of juggling home and work responsibilities. Easing the amount of workload can improve the memory through time.

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Head injury According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, mild confusion and memory loss can happen after a head trauma or injury. It can also bring about confusion and trouble with concentration.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the director of research and development at the NTL Group, a company that develops neuroengineering diagnostic and treatment programs to address a broad array of neurological dysfunctions. For more articles like this, visit this blog. 

The causes and treatments of memory loss

Short-term memory or the onset of forgetfulness, even if simply occasional, can be significantly disruptive to daily lives. There are a variety of causes for loss of memory, and we’ve outlined them below:

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One common cause is both prescription drugs and over-the-counter medication. It could very possibly be that your sleeping pills, antihistamines, anti-depressants, pain medication after undergoing a surgery, or muscle relaxants are interfering with your memory. Secondly, there’s lack of sleep. If you’ve been overworked and simply getting too little sleep, the resulting fatigue could also affect the processing and retrieval of information in the brain.


Other major contributors to memory loss are bad nutrition or deficiency in nutrients and vitamins, stress and depression, heavy consumption of alcohol, smoking, drug use, and incurrence of a head injury. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to mitigate the condition. Eating healthier food and sleeping right are practical ways to keep memory loss at bay.

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For most people getting on in age, it’s advisable to socialize more regularly, as doing so pushes back depression and stress which are also known causes of memory loss. Staying mentally active, from doing crossword puzzles and volunteering for civic projects to learning to play a musical instrument or reading more books, is also an effective deterrent of memory loss.

Engaging in more physical activities is also a good way to retain a sharp memory. A sedentary life decreases blood flow throughout our body and brain. Jogging, brisk walking, and doing aerobics and meditation activities like yoga help greatly; a simple 10- to 15-minute walk in a day is a great regular habit to develop.

Dr. Curtis Cripe is the head of research and development at the NTL Group, which specializes in developing brain-based technology for healing and repairing neurological dysfunctions. For more info on Dr. Curtis and the NTL Group, go to this website.