Are There Certain Conditions That Might Be Affecting My Memory?

May 4, 2009 -- Question: Are there certain conditions that might be affecting my memory?

Answer: Almost any medical problem can affect memory. Disorders of the thyroid, anemias, [and] infections like pneumonia -- all these conditions can affect our cognitive abilities. So it's very important if you're having memory problems that you see your doctor, and your doctor will probably do a series of blood tests and other examinations to make sure you don't have a medical problem.

Often when these medical conditions are uncovered, specific treatment for those problems can improve the memory problem.