Short-term memory loss is when you forget things you heard, saw, or did recently. It’s a normal part of getting older for many people. But it can also be a sign of a deeper problem, such as dementia  brain injury, or a mental health issue.Short-term memory is how your brain stores small amounts of information it’s just taken in. To scientists, short-term memory is often divided between working memory and short-term memory. People typically talk about short-term memory without making such distinctions.

In general, short-term memory loss involves forgetting recent things. This can lead to:

• asking the same questions repeatedly
• forgetting where you just put something
• forgetting recent events
• forgetting something you saw or read recently

First, your doctor will ask you questions about your memory loss, such as how long you’ve had it, your symptoms, and ways you’ve tried to deal with the memory loss.

They’ll also ask you about:

• your general health and lifestyle
• any recent injuries or illnesses
• medications you take
• how much you drink alcohol
• how you’ve been feeling emotionally
• diet and sleep habits

Next, they’ll do a general physical exam to check for any potential medical issues. They might order blood tests to check for other conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies or infection, that might help explain your symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend you have brain scans such as MRI or CT scan to see if there’s a physical cause for your memory loss.