Have you ever had that annoying experience when you see someone you know while you were out walking or shopping, but can’t remember their name quickly enough to say hi? Then – funnily enough, you remember their name a short time later [you did remember their name, not just the exact moment you needed to].

This is a prime example of a typical ‘memory problem’, where there is a time gap or delay in retrieving information in your brain. There is a reason why this happens and it can be a precursor to a bigger health problem, that’s why it shouldn’t be ignored.

Here are three seemingly harmless causes of memory problems you should watch out for.

1. Dehydration

Did you know that something as simple as not drinking enough water can have a negative effect on your brain health? When you are dehydrated, you are prone to headaches, a foggy brain, and poor memory. If your brain doesn’t receive enough fluid your thought processes and emotional stability are affected. A dehydrated brain is a shrunken brain and it’s not healthy. How much water do I need to drink? You ask. Your body needs at least 1.5 litres of water per day [this may differ, depending on your individual body needs]. The key is to count your glasses, and they should range from 6-8 full glasses per day.

2. Stress

It’s impossible to live a life without stress. We always encounter stress factors at work, in relationships, family, and simpler things like sitting in traffic and not having enough time to work on things you need to finish. It’s easy to experience stress in our fast-paced lives as we try to squeeze too much into our days. You also have to remember that chronic stress is a typical starting point for other health issues and memory problems. One tip to help you manage stress is to remember that you cannot always control what happens to you, but you can always control how you react to your current situation.

3. Sleep apnea

This sleeping disorder occurs when the soft tissues at the back of your mouth and throat relax too much during sleep. People with sleep apnea snore loudly and can wake up hundreds of times during the night, they feel grogginess and fuzziness when they wake up. If you think you may have sleep apnea, you need to know that this condition is associated with low blood oxygen levels, which means your brain is not getting enough oxygen food, leading to cognitive impairment over time. If you have a partner with sleep apnea, consult with your doctor to organise a sleep study test.

Do you believe you have memory problems? What are you doing about it?