10 Causes of Memory Loss (and what you can do!)July 2 is “I Forgot” Day, making it the perfect time to explain some of the main causes of memory loss. Read on to find out some of the most common factors that contribute to memory loss, as well as a what you can do to address the issue. 1. Sleep deprivation It’s not just about quantity of hours; it’s also about QUALITY. 2. Concussions/head trauma It’s common for concussions to disrupt the more recent memories from before and after an injury. 3. Emotional trauma Severe stress or trauma can cause dissociative amnesia. 4. Aging Age-related memory decline is very common but there are ways to address it. 5. Mental disorders Depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and dissociative disorder can all impact memory. 6. Diseases/disorders From dementia, Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease to Parkinson’s and MS, neurodegenerative illnesses can significantly impact cognition. 7. Anesthesia Some people have longer-lasting effects from anesthesia that affects memory. 8. Alcohol, drugs and prescription medications Short- and long-term alcohol and drug abuse can cause memory issues. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any memory issues related to prescription medications. 9. Vitamin B-12 deficiency More commonly seen in vegetarians and older adults, a vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause memory loss. 10. Cancer treatments Chemotherapy, radiation, and bone marrow transplants can all impact memory. What can you do about memory loss/decline? Noticed that you or someone you love is having memory struggles? LearningRx personal brain training may be able to help! The first step is to take our free brain quiz to help identify weaknesses and pinpoint areas that could use improvement. Afterward, you can schedule your LearningRx Brain Skills Assessment with our trainers. Reasonably priced and taking only about an hour to complete, this Assessment will give us (and you) further insight into your struggles. From there, we will be able to customize a brain training plan that will target these areas. Ready to get started? Reach out to our team today through our Center locator.