Memory Problems
Difficulty with recall, concentration or finding words, from many possible causes.
Last revised
Key takeaways
- Treatable causes: depression, anxiety, thyroid problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, poor sleep, medicines
- Usual first steps: a medical history, blood tests and a memory and thinking assessment
- Most useful single change: See your doctor rather than waiting; several causes can be reversed.
- Commonest mistake: Assuming memory problems automatically mean dementia.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to get help" below apply to you.
Why it matters
Several common causes are treatable, which is why memory problems should be checked rather than assumed to be dementia.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| Treatable causes | depression, anxiety, thyroid problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, poor sleep, medicines |
| Usual first steps | a medical history, blood tests and a memory and thinking assessment |
| Sudden confusion | suggests delirium, usually from an acute illness |
| Sleep apnea | a common and treatable cause of poor concentration |
What helps
- See your doctor rather than waiting; several causes can be reversed
- Bring someone who knows you well to the appointment
- Bring a list of all medicines, including over-the-counter products and supplements
- Be honest about alcohol use and sleep
What to avoid
- Assuming memory problems automatically mean dementia
- Avoiding a checkup out of fear of the diagnosis
- Putting sudden changes down to aging
In depth
Memory is not one system but several. Short-term or working memory holds information for seconds while you use it, like a phone number you are about to dial. Long-term memory stores events, facts and skills for years. Forming new memories depends on attention, so anything that distracts or tires the brain, such as stress, poor sleep or multitasking, can make it seem as if your memory is failing when the information never went in properly in the first place.
Some changes are a normal part of aging. Older adults may take longer to learn new things or recall names, and may misplace items more often, yet still manage daily life independently. Mild cognitive impairment, or MCI, describes changes that are noticeable to you and others and measurable on tests, but not severe enough to interfere with independence. Some people with MCI go on to develop dementia; others stay stable or even improve.
Many memory problems have causes that can be treated or reversed: depression, anxiety, thyroid disease, vitamin B12 deficiency, sleep apnea, heavy drinking and side effects of medicines. That is why getting memory problems checked is worthwhile rather than frightening. If the cause is dementia, an early diagnosis allows access to treatment, support and planning while you can still take part fully in decisions. It also gives families time to learn and prepare together.
Signs and symptoms
- Forgetting recent conversations or events, and asking the same question repeatedly
- Relying increasingly on notes, reminders or family for things you used to remember
- Losing track of dates, appointments or medicines
- Struggling to find words or follow the thread of a conversation
- Getting confused in familiar places or while driving known routes
- Others noticing changes before you do
Causes and risk factors
- Depression, anxiety and chronic stress
- Poor sleep, including from sleep apnea
- Medicines such as some sleep aids, older antihistamines, bladder medicines and opioids
- Thyroid problems, vitamin B12 deficiency and other medical conditions
- Heavy alcohol use
- Alzheimer's disease, vascular disease and other causes of dementia
How it is checked
Your doctor will take a detailed history, ideally with input from someone who knows you well, because they can describe changes you may not notice. They will review every medicine and supplement you take, ask about mood, sleep and alcohol, and do a physical and neurological exam. A short memory and thinking test, which takes a few minutes, gives a baseline to compare against over time.
Blood tests commonly check for anemia, thyroid problems, vitamin B12 deficiency, kidney and liver function and blood sugar. A brain scan, such as CT or MRI, may be done to look for strokes, tumors or other changes. If dementia is suspected, you may be referred to a neurologist, geriatrician or memory clinic for more detailed testing, which can include tests that look for signs of Alzheimer's disease in spinal fluid, blood or on specialized PET scans.
Related topics
- Caring for Someone with Dementia: What Published Guidance Supports (Carers)
- Fibromyalgia: What the Evidence Actually Says (Chronic Pain)
- What the Guidance Really Says About Fatigue in Long-Term Illness (Long-Term Conditions)
- Food Recalls: Sorting the Evidence From the Noise (Food Safety)
Where to go next
- Memory Problems: The Quick Reference
- The Evidence on Memory Problems, Without the Hype
- Brain Health: The Complete Guide
- Stroke: What Published Guidance Supports
- Migraine: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to get help
Get urgent care for sudden confusion or a rapid change over hours or days — this usually means delirium from infection, dehydration or medication rather than dementia. Call 911 for confusion with fever and a stiff neck, sudden weakness on one side, difficulty speaking, or after a head injury.
Where this comes from
- National Institute on Aging — Memory Problems, Forgetfulness, and Aging
- Alzheimer's Association — 10 Early Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimer's
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.