MEMORY LOSS: 10 REASONS WHY YOU ARE SO FORGETFUL!

Have you ever read so seriously for a test or an exam, only to step into the hall or venue and lapse into that blank, trance-like state where nothing seems to flow and the answers to the asked questions seem to diffuse out of your brain? That's what memory loss does to you....and very occasionally, we are inclined to think it is our numerous enemies who are actively working to see us have extra-years in school or elsewhere. In trying to make sure you fail, they, your enemies from the village, come for your memory. Lol.

But like seriously, while there may be one or two instances of genuine village witchcraft at work, memory loss is often a scientifically explainable phenomenon, and in most cases, the cause is very mundane. Again, the experience is not only limited to the academic space: every other sphere of life is directly or indirectly affected by memory loss. It could be an important phone number that you just have to remember or a code or password or even someone's name. Very embarrassing indeed.

Today, instead giving a detailed exposition as to how village witches come to you in the middle of the night, while you sleep, to collect all the very important information in your brain and make you forgetful, I shall be highlighting some scientifically explained common causes of memory loss (be it short term memory loss or long term memory loss). And if after reading the list below, you still are not able identify the cause of your memory loss, then perhaps, a Pastor may be all you need. But just before that, here.....10 reasons for your memory loss:

1. Inadequate sleep: is a very common cause of forgetfulness, especially among college students who crash read and have very little sleep during exams. Now, I know medical students will read this and roll their eyes in disbelief, but that's the fact. It is incontrovertible. Good sleep is needed for memory to be consolidated. So if your sleep is too little or your sleep habits are bad, you stand a risk of suffering from memory loss- both short and long term.
2. Poor, unhealthy dieting: foods that are high in sodium e.g spicy foods such as sharwama, suya, etc have been associated with memory loss. And so are junks- doughnuts, biscuits, cakes, etc. Junks cause a spike in blood insulin which negatively affects the formation of memory. Also, foods rich in trans fats such as fried chicken, processed meat and margarine are bad for memory. Perhaps you should consider avoiding these foods when you are going in for an exam or preparing for a presentation.
3. Depression: depression is all shades of bad! There is absolutely nothing cool about it. Apart from driving people to suicide, it also impairs memory. The grief that follows the loss of a loved one, an unexpected breakup or any other major tragedy is capable of plunging anyone into a depression. When you are depressed, you are more forgetful and less likely to make any conscious effort towards remembering. Life loses its colour and shine...everything becomes dark and gloomy.
4. Alcohol: has been implicated in the loss of short term memory. Especially beers- because of their high levels of nitrosamine. Now, if you are the type who goes out to pop bottles a day before or hours to a test or an exam, rest assured, the alcohol will mess up your memory. Even more so when you binge drink. With this in mind, you may want to consider skipping alchohol until after exams or that major prpresentation.
5. Head trauma/injury: a blow to the head, a knock or any reasonably forceful blunt trauma to the head can lead to loss of memory. In some lucky individuals, the forgetfulness is only temporary while in others, it is permanent. Except you are addicted to banging your head on the wall or you are involved in high impact and physically risky sports such as rugby, boxing, wrestling, rock climbing, skateboarding, etc, you shouldn't have to worry about memory loss from this.
6. Stress and anxiety: is it that wicked boss of yours that is stressing the life out of you? Is it your wife? Hubby? Or landlord? Wherever it comes from, stress can inflict you with memory loss. Which is why it is usually advised that you avoid crash reading as much as you can....it puts too much pressure on you and makes you overly stressed and anxious. You become to jumpy and that's not nice for you at all. Be in the best possible emotional state at all times.
7. Hypothyroidism: is a thyroid disoder whereby the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid (T3 and T4). Thyroid hormones have iodine (a very important mineral for brain development memory) incorporated in them. When the thyroid gland is not optimally functional, it means less thyroid hormones are available and consequently less iodine too.
8. Vitamin B deficiency: deficiency of vitamin B12 is implicated in memory loss. Fortunately, Vitamin B12 is available in a lot of the foods we eat and as such should its deficiency is not a major cause of memory loss in young adults. Foods like eggs, cheese, fish, crab, liver, soymilk, etc, are a rich source of vitamin B12.
9. Drugs: drugs such as codeine, morphine, methyldopa, Valium, heroine, naproxen, sleeping pills, certain antidepressant drugs and a host of other drugs have memory loss as a side effect- although their memory loss is often mild, temporary and reversible after cessation of the drugs.
10.  Brain disease: examples of brain diseases associated with memory loss include brain tumours, dementia, Alzheimer's disease (very common in the elderly), brain infections like meningitis, etc. As a rule, any insult or infringement on the brain can present with memory loss. Talk to your doctor as soon as you start noticing any sudden or gradual loss in memory.

Please, leave questions or comments in the comment box below.

Thanks for reading!

Sources:doctorshubs.com.ng