How do I know if I have mild forgetfulness or more serious memory loss?
Mild forgetfulness is a normal age related memory condition that occurs occasionally and does not prevent you from living a normal life. These changes are typically manageable and do not disrupt aspects of your life. Serious memory loss or dementia typically will begin gradually and worsen over time disrupting normal life. Sudden or severe memory loss such as forgetting a loved one's name or not knowing where you are at can indicate a more serious problem. The good news is when memory loss comes on quickly it is often because of other treatable medical conditions.
What are potential causes of memory loss? Is all memory loss permanent?
There are numerous potential medical conditions that cause memory loss. Many of these conditions can be treated with a prompt diagnosis and treatment. The most common possible causes of reversible memory loss are:
- Minor head trauma
- Medications
- Alcoholism
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Vitamin deficiency
- Hypothyroidism
- Infections
What are potential conditions that can result in permanent memory loss?
- Alzheimer’s
- Stroke
- Brain tumors
- Severe head trauma
- Parkinson’s disease
- Frontotemporal lobar degenerative
- Huntington disease
How are memory loss and confusion diagnosed?
Dr. Ata will conduct a thorough medical exam and obtain your complete medical history. It may be best to bring a family member or trusted individual who is around you frequently to help answer specific questions regarding the problems with your memory. The findings from your examination and questions may indicate the need for additional testing to pinpoint your diagnosis. Receiving a prompt diagnosis is of paramount importance as many medical conditions can cause memory loss and often times these are treatable when identified early.
Some additional tests that may be ordered are below.
- Blood tests
- Imaging studies
- Cognitive testing
- Electroencephalogram (EEG)
- Spinal tap
- Cerebral angiography
Can people with dementia become angry and aggressive?
Yes, roughly half of individuals who experience dementia become aggressive with verbal or physical attacks. This symptom typically occurs in the middle to late stages of dementia. As a loved ones recall starts to fade and friends or family become harder to remember the lack of recognition can cause frustrations and aggression. Typically individuals who become aggressive with dementia have physical and or emotional causes that lead to aggression. This aggressive behavior is typically triggered by something. When this occurs it is important to remember this is not your loved one being mean or rude it is simply a symptom of their condition.
Do Memory Problems Always Indicate Alzheimer’s?
Many times individuals who have an occasional episode of forgetfulness assume they have dementia or early Alzheimer’s. This is not always the case as memory loss and confusion do not necessarily indicate Alzheimer’s disease. There are many other causes of memory loss and confusion other then Alzheimer’s:
- Aging
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Medical conditions
- Emotional issues
- Other types of dementia
For more information about Alzheimer’s disease visit:
Alzheimer’s Association
www.alz.org
Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
www.alzfdn.org
The American Academy of Neurology:
https://www.brainandlife.org/disorders-a-z/alzheimers-disease/
