O Que é Perda De Memória De Curto Prazo? - Causas, Tratamento E Prevenção

2024 Autor: Cecilia Ryder | [email protected]. Última modificação: 2023-12-17 14:22

Você está prestes a sair de casa quando percebe que as chaves do seu carro estão faltando. E não importa o quanto você tente, você não consegue se lembrar onde os guardou na outra noite. Ou você esquece por que entrou em uma sala. Isso acontece muito com você?

A perda de memória é uma parte inevitável do envelhecimento. Se você tende a esquecer coisas que aconteceram apenas algumas horas atrás, é provável que esteja tendo uma perda de memória de curto prazo. O primeiro pensamento que pode vir à sua mente é que pode ser a doença de Alzheimer (DA). No entanto, nem todos os casos de perda de memória são resultado de DA. Para saber mais sobre a perda de memória de curto prazo, suas causas e opções de tratamento, continue lendo.

Índice

• O que é perda de memória de curto prazo?
• Curto prazo vs. Perda de memória de longo prazo
• O que causa perda de memória de curto prazo e esquecimento?
• Quais são os sintomas de perda de memória de curto prazo?
• Como testar a perda de memória de curto prazo
• Riscos de perda de memória de curto prazo
• Remédios caseiros para ajudar a tratar a perda de memória de curto prazo
• Como prevenir a perda de memória de curto prazo

O que é perda de memória de curto prazo?

A perda de memória de curto prazo é uma condição na qual o indivíduo em questão tende a esquecer coisas que viu, ouviu ou fez recentemente.

Quando seu cérebro processa e armazena pequenos pedaços de informação que acabou de receber, isso é conhecido como memória de curto prazo.

Embora a perda de memória de curto prazo seja inevitável no envelhecimento, ela também pode ser desencadeada por um problema mais profundo, como demência, uma lesão no cérebro ou um transtorno mental.

Antes de entrar em detalhes, vamos entender a diferença entre perda de memória de curto e longo prazo.

Curto prazo vs. Perda de memória de longo prazo

As principais diferenças entre a perda de memória de curto e longo prazo são as seguintes.

Perda de memória de curto prazo

• A pessoa afetada acaba esquecendo coisas que fazia há pouco tempo, ou seja, o que havia feito no café da manhã ou assistido na noite anterior.
• É uma parte do envelhecimento normal.
• Pode ser resultado de outras condições médicas subjacentes, como a doença de Alzheimer.
• Seu principal sintoma é o esquecimento de atividades ou coisas recentes.

Perda de memória de longo prazo

• O indivíduo afetado tem dificuldade para recordar memórias quando precisa. Essas memórias podem ter semanas, meses ou mesmo anos.
• Assim como a perda de memória de curto prazo, a perda de memória de longo prazo também faz parte do envelhecimento.
• Também pode ser causado por doenças subjacentes, como a doença de Alzheimer.
• Seu principal sintoma é o esquecimento de coisas que aconteceram no início de sua vida.

Vamos agora examinar os fatores comumente considerados responsáveis por desencadear a perda de memória de curto prazo.

O que causa perda de memória de curto prazo e esquecimento?

As causas potenciais de perda de memória de curto prazo incluem:

• Idade avançada - é mais comum em adultos mais velhos.
• Tumores no cérebro
• Sangramento ou coagulação do sangue no cérebro
• Lesão na cabeça devido a uma queda ou acidente, como uma concussão
• Infecções ao redor ou no cérebro, como encefalite
• Problemas mentais como ansiedade ou depressão
• Abuso de substância
• Estresse
• Alguns medicamentos, como estatinas, ansiolíticos e medicamentos para convulsões
• Condições médicas como transtorno de estresse pós-traumático, doença de Parkinson, doença de Huntington e doença de Alzheimer

A perda de memória de curto prazo também costuma estar associada aos seguintes sintomas.

Quais são os sintomas de perda de memória de curto prazo?

The symptoms of short-term memory loss may include:

• Asking similar questions repeatedly
• Forgetting where you kept a belonging
• Forgetting having participated in recent activities
• Forgetting something that you have recently seen or read

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to get an appointment with a doctor to get yourself diagnosed correctly.

How To Test Short-Term Memory Loss

Your doctor will start by asking questions about your symptoms. They may also want to know how long you have been experiencing these symptoms and about your medical history and lifestyle.

A general physical examination may follow this. A blood test may also be ordered to test for other underlying conditions.

To check if there is a physical cause to the memory loss, your doctor may also suggest an MRI or CT scan of your brain.

Depending on what has been triggering the short-term memory loss, your doctor may then refer you to a specialist for further testing and treatment.

It is better to diagnose the cause of short-term memory loss as soon as possible to prevent further complications from the condition.

Risks Of Short-Term Memory Loss

Most risks associated with short-term memory loss are a result of the underlying conditions responsible for triggering it rather than the memory loss alone. If the symptoms of short-term memory loss become too severe, it may interfere with your ability to:

• Drive
• Take care of yourself
• Avail treatment

We can conclude that individuals experiencing short-term memory loss must not be left alone as it has the potential to become life-threatening.

There is a range of medical treatments available to combat short-term memory loss. However, these treatments vary depending on the cause of the condition. Medications to treat clots, surgery, cancer therapy, and cognitive therapy are the most popular approaches when it comes to getting rid of memory loss caused by serious underlying medical conditions like cancer or blood clots in the brain.

In some cases, nutrient deficiencies could also be responsible for triggering short-term memory loss. Restoring the deficient nutrient can help with memory loss. There are also a few natural remedies that are known to enhance your cognitive functions, which may also be beneficial in treating the symptoms of short-term memory loss. They are as follows.

Home Remedies To Help Treat Short-Term Memory Loss

1. Ginkgo Biloba

You Will Need

• 1 cup of water
• 1-2 teaspoons of ginkgo biloba tea leaves

What You Have To Do

1. Add one to two teaspoons of ginkgo biloba tea leaves to a cup of water.
2. Bring it to a boil in a saucepan and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Turn off the stove and allow the tea to cool a bit.
4. Strain the tea and drink it up.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this 1-2 times daily.

Why This Works

According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, ginkgo biloba extracts were found to improve cognitive function as well as symptoms of mild cognitive impairment and dementia (1). Hence, it may also be beneficial for short-term memory loss.

2. Omega-3

You Will Need

Omega-3 supplements

What You Have To Do

1. Consume an omega-3 supplement daily.
2. Consult a doctor to know the correct dosage of the supplement for you.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once daily.

Why This Works

Omega-3 supplements exhibit protective effects in cases of dementia and mild cognitive impairment (2). They can, therefore, also improve short-term memory loss in the affected individuals.

[Read: Top 10 Foods Rich In Omega 3 Fatty Acids]

3. Vitamin B12

You Will Need

Vitamin B12 supplements

What You Have To Do

Consume a vitamin B12 supplement daily. Make sure you consult a doctor for the correct dosage.

How Often You Should Do This

You may take this supplement daily for a prescribed period.

Why This Works

Vitamin B12 deficiencies are often associated with symptoms of memory loss in older adults (3). Thus, restoring this deficiency may help enhance cognitive function in the affected individuals.

4. Curcumin

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
• 1 glass of hot milk

What You Have To Do

1. Add a teaspoon of turmeric powder to a glass of hot milk and stir well.
2. Drink the mixture.

How Often You Should Do This

You may do this once every night.

Why This Works

The main active component of turmeric is curcumin. Curcumin may help reduce or reverse the symptoms of memory impairment (4). Hence, this remedy is a great option for treating short-term memory loss.

While these remedies work their magic, here are a few tips that may help prevent short-term memory loss.

How To Prevent Short-Term Memory Loss

• Get enough sleep.
• Exercise regularly.
• Solve puzzles and do other activities that challenge your brain.
• Reduce distractions by eliminating clutter in your home.
• Create a to-do list and stick to schedules.

Most often than not, short-term memory loss is part and parcel of aging and quite common. It usually doesn’t create many issues in the affected individual as it doesn’t interfere with their ability to function independently.

However, if your short-term memory loss is a result of an underlying medical issue, it is highly recommended that you avail medical treatment for your condition immediately for effective results. Do not wait to consult a doctor if you feel that this condition is interrupting your daily life.

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Expert’s Answers For Readers’ Questions

How to help someone with short term memory loss?

You can make it easier for someone with short-term memory loss by:

• Being flexible and patient.

• Helping the affected individual remember details by breaking down new activities into simpler steps.

• Providing more verbal cues rather than asking questions.

• Establishing a routine.

• Writing important things down on a paper.

• Not leaving them alone.

Do memory problems always mean Alzheimer’s disease?

No, having a memory problem doesn’t always mean that the individual has Alzheimer’s disease. Aging, other underlying health problems, cognitive issues, or dementia could also be triggering the problems with memory.

Is short-term memory loss serious?

Most cases of short-term memory loss are a result of advancing age and are thus not so serious. However, if underlying conditions like dementia or an injury to the brain is the cause of the memory issue, it may lead to further complications if treatment is not availed on time.

Can stress and anxiety cause forgetfulness?

Yes, mental disorders like stress, depression, and anxiety can trigger forgetfulness, difficulty in concentrating, confusion, and other cognitive problems.

When to see a doctor for short-term memory loss?

See a doctor if the progressing short-term memory loss concerns you and if you want to avail treatment for it. This is especially if the symptoms end up interfering with your day-to-day life or if you exhibit additional symptoms that be an indication of some underlying medical condition.

References

1. “Uma Visão Geral das Revisões Sistemáticas dos Extratos de Ginkgo biloba para Deficiência Cognitiva Leve e Demência” Fronteiras na Neurociência do Envelhecimento, Biblioteca Nacional de Medicina dos EUA.
2. “Contribuição de ácidos graxos ômega-3 para a memória e função cognitiva” Nutricion Hospitalaria, US National Library of Medicine.
3. “Neuropsicologia da deficiência de vitamina B12 em pacientes idosos com demência e indivíduos de controle.” Description Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, US National Library of Medicine.
4. “Efeito da curcumina no comprometimento da memória: uma revisão sistemática.” Phytomedicine, US National Library of Medicine.