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Sudden Memory Loss Causes

If you find yourself having difficulty remembering where you left your groceries after a shopping trip, or even the names of the neighbors that live across the street from you (and have for years), you may be experiencing a case of sudden memory loss, which can lead to very frustrating effects.

  1. Aging Process

    • The aging process is a common cause behind sudden memory loss. Aging leads to loss of memory due to a variety of factors. These factors include the fact that older brains are not as capable of soaking up nutrients that enhance the brain, reduced blood flow (which can alter the cognitive skills), deterioration of the hippocampus (which is the section of the brain that provides access to memories) and the declining levels of proteins and hormones that encourage neural growth and protect brain cells.

    High Blood Pressure

    • People who suffer from high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) may also experience sudden memory loss. Blood pressure that is abnormally high can selectively destroy key areas of the center of the brain, which can trigger small strokes that can lead to both behavioral changes and severe memory loss.

    Head Trauma

    • Injury or trauma to the head can also bring upon sudden loss of memory. Strong forces that fracture or go deep into the skull can lead to serious brain injury due to aggressive shock waves that are transmitted throughout the brain matter. An example of a situation that could cause direct brain trauma is when the head hits the steering of a wheel hard in a road accident.

    Infections

    • Infections of the brain can also lead to sudden memory loss. These infections bring upon inflammation of the membrane around the brain, such as in the disease meningitis, which is a chronic condition that is characterized by sudden and often short-term memory loss.

    Blood

    • Problems associated with the blood can also bring upon sudden memory loss. These memory-altering problems include both interruptions in the supply of blood to the brain and insufficient levels of oxygen within the blood.

    Sleep Deprivation

    • Not getting enough sleep at night for an extended length of time is a cause for sudden memory loss. Serious sleep deprivation can have negative effects on the ability of the brain to produce and retain brand new memories. This is due to key endocrine and metabolic disruptions that can emulate the aging process and its toll on memory.

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