10 Conditions that Can Lead to Memory Loss

Memory loss and cognitive problems are very serious. Taking care of your health and managing medical conditions you have can go a long way towards preventing memory loss. These ten conditions can lead to serious memory loss. If you have any of these conditions, or a family history that precludes you getting one of them, it's imperative that you be proactive with your health.

1. High Blood Pressure: If your blood pressure stays high it can lead to hardening of the arteries. When your arteries harden blood doesn't flow through them like it's supposed to. This will cause circulation problems that lead to memory loss. Hardening of the arteries can also lead to stroke. Strokes can sometimes cause dementia, a condition in which a person will have severe memory impairment.

2. Diabetes: Uncontrolled diabetics have high levels of cortisol in their bodies. Cortisol is a stress hormone. If levels of cortisol remain high in the body it will lead to memory loss. It's very important for diabetics to maintain proper control of their blood sugar and practice coping strategies to help with stress reduction.

3. Hypothyroidism: The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located in the neck. When not enough thyroid hormone is produced you have hypothyroidism. A very common symptom of hypothyroidism is memory loss. Taking medication to control your thyroid condition is very important in helping control cognitive problems.

4. Fibromyalgia: If you suffer from fibromyalgia you are probably very frustrated by memory problems. People who used to be able to remember everything have problems with simple tasks after developing fibromyalgia. Studies have found that chronic pain and sleep problems are the cause of fibromyalgia patient's memory problems. Working with your doctor to control pain and getting help with insomnia are what's called for to combat this problem in fibro patients.

5. Cholesterol: Low levels of the good cholesterol, or HDL cholesterol, can lead to memory loss. Exercise is the best way to raise your good cholesterol numbers.

6. Depression: Someone who suffers from depression can have memory problems as small as forgetting things to bigger problems like making decisions or performing normal tasks. Neurotransmitters in the brain are affected with depression and cause memory loss. Taking care of yourself and seeking medical treatment for depression will help with this problem.

7. Vitamin B: If you are deficient in the B vitamins you can suffer from memory loss. Eating foods rich in B vitamins and taking supplements is a great way to combat this.

8. Brain Tumors: People who develop brain tumors will notice that they can't remember people's names or places that they go to every day. Brain tumors damage the brain in numerous ways; memory loss is just a small part of the problem.

9. AIDS: Patients with AIDS often develop memory problems. With the advances in treatment options for AIDS patients this is not as much of a problem as early years. Taking your medication as prescribed and doing what your doctor says will help with memory loss for AIDS patients.

Alzheimer's disease is still the leading cause of memory loss but it is by no means the only cause. If you have any of the above conditions you need to stay in close contact with your physician and do everything you can to protect your memory.