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A number of things which you may never suspect can cause memory loss.  Just watch out

Too Much Stress

In 2009, more than 400,000 people in the UK said they were under so much stress at work, it was making them ill. Studies have shown that people under pressure who continuously have high levels of the stress hormone cortisol in their blood perform less well in memory tests. But it is now also thought that even severe short term stress can cause memory loss.

Solution

You won’t know when your cortisol levels are up, but most of us know when we are stressed and under pressure, whether it’s caused by work, family, relationships or money. Make time for yourself to do what helps you to relax – exercise, a relaxing bath, yoga, or doing some gardening.

You have problem sleeping

Adults generally need at least six hours of sleep a night to function the next day. Lack of sleep and poor quality sleep are both associated with memory loss. Sleep is needed for effective memory storage and retrieval.

People with sleep apnoea, a disorder which causes them to stop breathing in their sleep ten times per hour, often suffer from memory loss and irritability the following day.

Solution

Sleep problems are usually caused by lifestyle, rather than a sleep disorder. Establish a sleep routine, and avoid food and drink (especially alcohol) which help keep you awake or interrupt your sleep pattern.

Sleep apnoea mostly occurs in men, people who are overweight and who snore heavily.

You are Lacking Vitamins

Vitamin B12 is essential for the production of red blood cells and for a healthy nervous system. People who lack vitamin B12 become anaemic and can suffer memory difficulties.

Most people with vitamin B12 deficiency are unable to absorb the vitamin from foods. Although it’s more common in people over the age of 50, it can occur at any age.

Solution

Anaemia symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath and dizziness. Nervous system symptoms include tingling in the hands and feet, muscle weakness, memory loss and confusion.

The good news is that it can be treated  with vitamin B12 injections. Good sources of vitamin B12 are red and white meat, eggs, fish, milk and cheese. Vegans can take supplements.

Disorder of the Thyroid Gland

Memory difficulties combined with general fatigue and sluggishness are often accepted as a normal part of ageing. But they can also be a sign of an underactive thyroid caused by low levels of hormones from the thyroid gland. Hypothyroidism can occur at any age, but is usually more common in older adults and in women.

Drugs

Certain prescription drugs and even those bought at your local pharmacy can affect your memory. This usually happens if you take too many or because they may be interacting with other drugs. As you age and your metabolism slows down, medicines tend to stay in the system for longer and this can also have an effect.

Anticholinergics are a class of drugs which block the activity of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger which carries signals between nerve cells. These types of drugs are often used to treat bladder problems, sleeplessness, nausea and allergies and are found in many over the counter medicines.