14 reasons your memory is declining may not necessarily be related to aging, though mild memory loss can be part of aging, but to other lifestyle and health issues. These include sleep deprivation, unhealthy diet, medication, diabetes, high blood pressure, lack of exercise, obesity, stroke, etc. So read below 14 reasons your memory is declining.
Sleep Deprivation
Sleep strengthens the link between brain cells, which helps you remember long-term. Consequently, any deprivation of sleep makes it difficult to remember things, particularly when your mind is wandering because of a lack of sleep. Good “sleep hygiene” of 8 hours a night can help with exercise, regular sleep schedule, and avoiding nighttime alcohol and caffeine.
Unhealthy Diet
Unhealthy eating can lead to heart disease, which can cause brain issues including memory problems and dementia. This is why the heart-healthy Mediterranean-style diet is good for your brain, too. The diet includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, olive oil, and other healthy fats like avocado. And reduce your meat intake.
Medication
Sleep aid medication can reduce your memory power. Also can blood pressure meds, antihistamines, and antidepressants. Besides, you may react differently than someone else to the same pill or combination of pills. So inform your doctor about any memory issues when you start a new medication. An adjustment to your dose or alternative prescription may be advised.
Diabetes
If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop memory problems including dementia. Scientists are still not certain why this happens. In the meantime, you can slow this memory decline by preventing or at least controlling your diabetes with medicine, exercise, and a healthy diet.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure (hypertension) raises your risk of memory problems, including dementia. This is because it damages the tiny blood vessels in your brain. It also can lead to other conditions like stroke that cause dementia. But if you can control your blood pressure with diet, exercise, and medication, you can also slow or prevent your memory slipping.
Family Genes
One of the 14 reasons your memory is declining lies in your family genes. Though not that simple! Genes matter more in some types of dementia than others. Hence, a gene that affects memory in one person might have no effect in another. So a genetic test from your doctor may provide some useful information.
Smoking
Smoking reduces parts of your brain that help you think and remember things. This raises your risk of dementia, possibly because it’s bad for your blood vessels. And for sure increases your risk of stroke, damage your brain, and cause vascular dementia. Therefore, try to quit if you smoke.
Heart Disease
Atherosclerosis is when plaque builds up in your arteries and slows blood flow to your brain and other organs. This makes it harder to think clearly and remember things. Also could lead to a heart attack or stroke, which raise your chances of dementia.
Stroke
A stroke stops the flow of blood to part of your brain thus damaging your brain tissue. This can make it hard to think, speak, remember, or pay attention. It’s called vascular dementia. Things that raise your risk of stroke like high blood pressure, heart disease, and smoking may also cause this type of dementia. If you think you’re having a stroke, remember FAST: Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech problems, call your medical emergency in your area.
Depression And Anxiety
It’s difficult to concentrate and remember things if you’re depressed or anxious, and more likely to develop dementia. So speak with your doctor or therapist if anxiety or depression interferes with your enjoyment of normal daily life. Therapy and medication can help.
Head Injury
A traumatic brain injury can affect short-term memory. You might forget appointments or feel unsure of what you did earlier in the day. Rest, medicine, and medical rehab can help you recover. Repeated hits to your head, as in boxing or football, raises your risk for dementia later in life. Hence visit the hospital if you hit your head and then pass out. Or have blurry vision, or if you feel dizzy, confused, or unwell.
Obesity
You have a higher risk for dementia in later life if your body mass index (BMI) is over 30 in middle age. And any extra pounds make heart disease more likely, which can lead to brain decline and memory problems. So, speak with your doctor about the right weight for you. You may be able to improve yours with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Lack of Exercise
Regular exercise lessens the risk of brain decline, memory problems, and dementia. Besides, it seems to improve brain function in those who already have dementia. All you need is just to go outdoors and garden, walk, jog, swim, or even dance for 30 minutes on most days of the week.
Aging
When memory starts to interfere with your daily life it is called dementia which gets worse as you get older. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s which doubles every 5 years after age 65. Though your genes play a part in why this happens, so do things like diet, exercise, social life, and illnesses like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.
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