Medically known as amnesia, memory loss is the inability to remember events or information. Amnesia can affect both short and long-term memory. Damage to the medial temporal lobe usually causes it. Memory tends to weaken naturally with age but can affect young people. Memory loss can be triggered by head trauma, emotionally disturbing experiences, or physical deficiencies. Learn the difference between natural memory loss and that caused by trauma. The following list outlines symptoms that are often associated with amnesia and may require medical attention.

Forgetfulness

The most common sign of memory loss is forgetfulness. People often forget little things. It is normal for a person sometimes to become forgetful of the details of a conversation. However early onset of memory loss makes a person extremely forgetful. A person may forget the entire conversation that just occurred. Short-term memory loss typically occurs. First, patients will forget important dates and events. They will repeatedly ask the same questions. Some people have difficulty recognizing the faces of close family and friends.

Difficulty Carrying Out Familiar Tasks

Performing day-to-day tasks is hard for people experiencing memory loss. Difficulty performing familiar tasks may be one of the first symptoms. You may notice that they have difficulty balancing a checkbook or following the rules of a game. Memory loss causes problems with daily activities, such as cooking or using the phone.

Confusion

Confusions is an early sign of memory loss. A person may get lost in their neighborhood, forgetting where they are and how to get home. They may have difficulty remembering the day of the week and where they are going. Some lose track of which day, month, or even what year it is.

Poor Judgment

In the early stages of memory loss, they may experience changes in judgment skills and decision-making ability. Not everyone who makes poor decisions is affected by memory loss. People with memory loss may dress inappropriately for the seasons or temperature. They are susceptible to scams and often have difficulty handling their money.

Misplacing Things

People with memory issues often place their belongings in unusual places and aren’t able to find them later. For example, a person may keep an iron in the fridge or their lipstick in a sugar bowl. When they are not able to locate their belongings, they may accuse others of stealing.

Problem With Simple Math

In the early stages of memory loss, you may notice someone experiencing problems solving simple math problems. People often have problems keeping track of checkbooks and monthly bills. An inability to concentrate makes them take longer when performing simple tasks. They may also experience issues related to their vision, such as judging colors or distance.

Language Or Speaking Problems

Using the right words at the right time can seem like an arduous task for most memory loss patients. They tend to forget simple words like cat, watch, book, and so on. Or, they may substitute easy words with unusual words. Use of such strange words can make memory loss patients difficult to understand. If a person is not able to find his toothbrush, he may call it, “the thing I put in my mouth.”

Mood Swings

Someone with memory loss may experience extreme mood swings, from happiness to anxiety, or tears. Changes in personality tend to make a once-confident person fearful, shy, and depressed. They may become depressed or suspicious. Memory loss often upsets the patient. They may feel become self-conscious and feel extremely uncomfortable when out of their comfort zone. These feelings often cause them to isolate themselves.

Hygiene Problems

Body odors can be one of the biggest signals that your family member is losing the capability to care for his or herself. With memory loss issues, a person forgets to perform personal hygiene. Look for changes in the appearance of your loved ones to find clues to memory loss. An example is stubble on someone who is generally clean-shaven. Unwashed clothes or putting clothes on inside-out can be a subtle hint of the condition.

Withdrawal From Social Activities

A person in the early stages of memory loss will generally start to withdraw from social activities. They may start disengaging from sports they used to play, social events they used to attend, or hobbies they once loved. There may be a tendency to sleep more and sit for long periods in front of the television. They tend to feel wary of social obligations.