Do you ever find yourself in a fluster searching frantically for your phone, your wallet, or a set of keys that appears to have magically disappeared into thin air? If you do, you are certainly not alone. Every day, men and women of all ages experience some type of short-term forgetfulness or memory loss.

For many of us, it can be a totally normal part of everyday life. However, in certain people, memory loss can develop into a severe degenerative health issue that seriously impedes their quality of life.

What Does Short Term Memory Loss Signal?

Our brain mirrors the effects of our lifestyle and age. It ages just like the rest of our body. With the greying of hair, so too, our ability to learn and recall might slowly fade. The process may be pushed along by excessive drinking and smoking or health issues such as severe depression or stroke.

What can be most difficult though, is acknowledging the signs that determine whether memory loss is a serious health issue or a consequence of lifestyle such as lack of sleep, medications, or stress.

We all have our moments of forgetting where the keys are or what our password is, and that’s totally fine. Usually, those days are the result of sudden and reversable changes in our lifestyle, meaning that a good night’s sleep, relaxation, or a new medication will also see a potentially positive change in your memory.

Signs of Memory Health Issues

However, what signs might indicate a more serious memory health issue? Not all types of forgetfulness and memory loss are equal, but if you do notice these signs, then it’s definitely worth consulting your health care professional:

Asking Again and Again

One sign is when you notice yourself or a loved one ask the same questions or tell the same story over and over again.

Help, I’m Lost

If you or a loved one experiences confusion, can’t find their way, or gets lost frequently, that’s another sign.

Changes in Mood

Frustration, anger, and unanticipated mood changes can also signal a problem with memory.

Genes, Self-Care, and Memory

Serious memory diseases are sometimes related to our DNA and genetics. For example, it is believed that if one or both of our parents suffered severe memory loss, we are more likely to experience it.

In most cases, though, we do have the capacity to change the habits that either help or hinder our memory. No one knows you better than you. Listen to your body.

One of the simplest, most proactive action you can take every day to help keep memory loss at bay is to eat a balanced diet. One that is high in fresh foods that will nourish the brain with the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals it needs to stay in peak condition and functional effectively.

A diet high in Vitamin B12 is believed to increase blood circulation in the brain and lessen “fuzzy” memory days. Foods high in Vitamin B12 include meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products.

If you have a day where you forget a name or can’t recall the last book you read, it might just be because you have had a momentary lapse of reason – a “bad day”. But if you do find yourself getting lost or forgetting names one too many times, then take the time to talk to your health care professional.

What do you forget most often? Do you find yourself forgetting one too many times? Or is it just a momentary lapse? Please share your forgetful moments with the community!