By: Dani Kolsrud, Mental Health Rep.

In studying memory loss and it’s unset in the form of challenges, there are some basic tenets worth looking at. The following list illuminates some of the basic factors that have been consistent in memory diagnosed illnesses:

  • Blood flow — Such things as hypertension, stroke, cardiovascular problems affect blood flow.  Blood flow throughout the body is the nourishment all body functions depend on.  Therefore, lack of exercise, sedimentary habits deprive the brain of its food because it stops blood flow.
  • Aging — The risk for “memory challenges” to manifest themselves increases with age and can be seen to show some signs as early as fifty years.
    Inflammatory conditions — Any time the body has to use its immune system to ward off an existing infection, chronic condition such as gum disease, it uses up valuable energy and blood components the brain needs.
  • Genetics — Diseases such as Parkinson’s, AD, forms of dementia definitely have the APOE gene possibility to be passed on to the next generations.
  • Head Trauma — Head injuries with or without a loss of consciousness, are deemed to be precursors of “memory challenges.”
  • Toxins — Alcohol or drug abuse in any form, exposure to environmental dangers such as molds and pollution, all contribute to the possibility of “memory challenges.”
  • Mental Health — Any mental health issue, whether diagnosed or not, that produces depression, stress, and all the other symptoms that comprise a mental illness prevent healthy brain action.
  • Immunity/Infection Issues — Chronic fatigue syndrome, autoimmune issues like rheumatoid arthritis or multiple sclerosis fall into this category.  Even diseases such as Lyme disease, or herpes can play a role in memory deficit.
  • Neurohormone Deficiencies — Low thyroid levels, low testosterone or estrogen levels fall into this category.
  • Diabetes — Different categories of diabetes such as Diabetes I, 2 and or pre-diabetes.
  • Sleep Disorders — The Brain gets energy restored, refuels so to speak, during sleep time so chronic insomnia and sleep apnea can definitely be factors.