I am having severe short term memory loss, what can i do?

Question

I will be doing something and completely forget what i am doing or why i am doing it. I know everyone says that that happens to everyone but i dont think it happens this much. I forget important stuff all the time and then sit and try to remember it and just cant no matter how hard i try. Its like it is right there but i cant grab it. sometimes when i am doing something that requires thinking or alot of mental exertion (i think thats a word), its like my mind fills up with a whole bunch of other sutff and drownds out what ever i am trying to consentrate on. Its really terrible. i even happens when i am talking and all of a sudden in mid sentace i forget what i was going to say and i just sit there half way through a sentance and then stop cause i dont remember what i was saying. i always missplace things and forget where they are.. what can i do about this?

I dont do drugs nor have i ever.

I am 21, male, 6"2' and 200 lbs, no real health issues. I eat a relativly balanced diet or try to any ways. This condition is relativly new i have been experiancing it for the last month or two

Answer 1

The following dietary changes are recommended to lower the risk of or slow memory loss:
• Reduce sugar intake.
• Avoid eating foods that contain such additives as artificial sweeteners, monosodium glutamate (MSG), preservatives, and artificial colors. These chemicals can accumulate in the body and become toxic, causing brain damage and memory loss.
• Eat organically grown foods that are not contaminated with pesticides or insecticides. These toxic chemicals can affect nerve function and cause memory loss.
• Limit alcohol intake and quit smoking.
• Do not use illicit drugs.
The following nutritional supplements may help restore and maximize memory:
• L-Acetylcarnitine (LAC). Studies have shown that acetylcarnitine can improve memory function in the elderly. It can even reverse memory loss in some patients who have early Alzheimer’s disease.
• Phosphatidylserine (100 mg three times per day). Phosphatidylserine probably works by lowering stress hormone levels and increasing the availability of acetylcholine. This supplement may help improve brain function in patients suffering from age-related memory loss.
• Vitamin E (400–800 IU per day). A strong antioxidant, vitamin E protects memory cells from free-radical damage.
• Omega-3 fatty acids. Flaxseed oil (1 tablespoon per day) and fish oil capsules are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 enriched eggs are available in some places.
• Thiamine (3–8 g per day). Treat a vitamin B1 deficiency with supplements. Thiamine/vitamin B1 is a good antioxidant and may also improve mental function in Alzheimer’s patients.
• Methylcobalamin (1,000 micrograms twice daily). Methylcobalamine is the preferred supplemental form of cyanocobalamin, or vitamin B12. Many Alzheimer’s patients have been found to have a vitamin B12 deficiency.
The following herbs may help reverse memory loss and/or improve mental performance:
• Ginkgo biloba extract (24% ginkgo flavonglycosides: 80 mg three times per day) is the herb most well known for its ability to improve memory function. Ginkgo works by improving the circulation of blood to the brain. It is also a strong antioxidant. Therefore, it can slow down memory loss associated with normal aging or due to degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. Several studies have demonstrated that ginkgo helps improve thinking and concentration in patients with Alzheimer’s disease.
• Gotu kola (Centella asiatica: 70 mg taken twice daily). This herb helps improve memory by increasing blood circulation to the brain and keeps blood vessels strong and healthy.
• Ginseng. Studies have shown that ginseng can improve memory and enhance learning ability. The recommended dosage of Korean ginseng is 3–9 g per day. Because ginseng may elevate blood pressure, patients with heart disease or high blood pressure should consult with their doctor before using this herb.
• Brahmi (Bacopa monniera. Brahmi is a herb native to India that is used in Ayurvedic medicine and Japanese medicine as a nerve tonic and treatment for insomnia. It appears to improve a person’s ability to retain new learning. Brahmi, which is sometimes called bacopa in Western countries, contains two compounds known as bacosides A and B. It is thought that these chemicals help to prevent memory loss by improving the efficiency of impulse transmission between nerve cells in the brain. An Australian study published in 2002 reported on the effects of brahmi on 76 human subjects. It showed that brahmi has a significant effect on people’s ability to remember new information, although it does not affect a person’s ability to retrieve information that was known prior to the experiment.

Answer 2

I know what you are talking about because I went through it before. I think it was because I had too much on my mind. Meaning I was trying to keep control of more than I was capable of. I would be talking to someone and loose track of what I was telling them because I was trying to add too many detales and would side track myself. Or driving to work I would drive up in walmart parking lot and think what the **** am I doing here. Lighten your load and keep in mind you do not have to go so deep in detale because they understand what you are talking about. You as well need to get a little more sleep and start eating better and drinking some water. I think it has a lot to do with stress and could be problems in your home life.

If you don't think that the above is the probem the only other think would be a touch of Alzheimer's Disease. Either way you can go see a doctor and tell him / her what is going on or just what you told us here. If it is stress you should be able to handle it your self but a doctor can give a pill to help with either.

Good luck and take some time off.

Answer 3

I completely understand why this would cause you to worry. First of all, are you depressed? Sometimes depression can cause forgetfulness as well as being stressed and depressed. i use to have this problem and i was told by my doctor that the more worried you become because of it and the more you stress over it, that will cause you to be even more forgetful! So just don't panic over it and you won't be so forgetful. Also, try to avoid being stressed and find a way to treat your depression (if you are depressed), and make sure you get plenty of B-vitamins, especially B-12, and always get a plenty of sleep! Good luck

Answer 4

No, that's not normal... It really depends on what other kind of symptoms he's been having, if any otheres at all. There are so many different things it could be, it's hard to even suggest a diagnosis without any type of clinical evidence. My best advice would be to get him to a doctor, soon. They can run various tests on him, to see what's going on. Hope all goes well! :)

Answer 5

Without knowing your age, health, etc, it's impossible to give a decent answer. One thing that often effects brain function is nutrition though, and you can never go wrong with making sure you eat properly, whether that is causing the problem or not.

Answer 6

It sounds to me like you may have bipolar disorder and may not know it. I would get checked by a mental health professional to be sure. It you dont, try taking 500mg of vitamin E daily. It has helped with my short term memory.

Answer 7

I don't mean to minimize your problem but I have the same thing I just call it CRS....(cant remember ****)....and I attribute it to memory overload. IE old age.... Just kidding ,see your family doctor and he/she can find out if its a physical ,meds .related or a mental problem. Good luck

Answer 8

Try taking Lecithin capsules. They are supposed to improve neural connections in the brain...I'm pretty sure

Answer 9

first of all stop doing drugs. You are probably frying your brain. As a doctor I would tell you how you can reverse this problem, but your would probably just forget it...

Answer 10

stop smoking pot.
and start drinking gingko biloba