Other sites in our network: What's on TV, Now, Pick Me Up, Puzzles and Prizes
Branding_print

What is memory loss and what are the causes?


Everybody forgets things from time to time. In particular, the things that we tend to forget most are the things that we feel do not matter to us. The things that we tend to remember most easily are the things that are important to us - like a special birthday. However, some people just seem to have better memories than others, and some people are more forgetful than others.

There are certain situations that can affect your memory and make you become more forgetful than you normally are. These
ect concentration and memory. Certain illnesses can directly affect the way the brain works. For example, an underactive thyroid can slow down the body's functions, including the brain, and can make you more forgetful.

Age. As we get older it often becomes harder to remember things. This is called 'Age Associated Memory Impairment'. Many people over the age of 50-60 have this common problem, and it is not dementia. For example, it tends to be harder to learn new skills the older we become. Another common example is that you may forget the names of people you have recently met. It is thought that the more we use are brains when we are older, the more it may counter the development of this age-related decline in memory function. So, doing things such as reading regularly, quizzes, crosswords, memorising plays or poetry, learning new skills, etc, may help to keep your memory in good shape.

Dementia. Dementia is the most serious form of memory problem. The rest of this leaflet is just about dementia.

Share this article

If you want to comment on this article, leave a tip or a story, please fill in the box below.

No comments

Add a comment

Please enter the characters in the image:


Join goodtoknow's Diet club now!

Enter your details below to get a free diet profile

weight

height

age

sex


Today's competition

Win! Now CDs

Win! Now CDs

Dance away to 80s classics with the first edition of Now on CD


Health

January health tips

January health tips

There's one for every day of the month, they're really easy and they'll save you money!

Plus...




goodtoknow poll

Will you try and be healthier in the new year?


  • Yes, it's one of my resolutions 91%
  • No, I'm fine as I am 9%


Visit other sites in our network:

Our sister magazines are:


Visit our associated sites: