What Causes Forgetfulness?

Posted on Wed, 16 Apr 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 16 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 2 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Thanks for helping.I have undergone bypass surgery in 2008,on beating heart.I have been doing well since then,I am 70 yrs male retired from Indian Army as Lt Coland feel physically fit.I have started forgetting,which put me in embarrassing situation,I am trying to avois but unable to face humiliation.More over I have devloped tinnituss and keep hearing ringing siund more at night.Please advise .me.XXXX

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Can be Senile Dementia. Detailed Answer: Dear Friend. Welcome to HCM. I am Dr Anshul Varshney. I have read your query in detail. I understand your concern. At age of 70 years, this is a natural thing to have problem of forgetfulness, that we commonly call Senile Dementia. But, Dementia can also be due to systemic causes like Alcohol consumption, Thyroid related issues and can also be a result of complications of diabetes like any infarction in brain, Muti-infarct state. This is a possibility as you are a hypertensive. Sir, it is advisable to rule out systemic causes of dementia, before considering it as Senile Dementia. I would advise you to get following investigations done: 1. MRI Brain 2. Thyroid Profile 3. Fasting Blood Sugar (If never done before) Also, would like to know following things: 1. Since when are you experiencing this problem? 2. Details of Alcohol consumption, in case you do 3. Any history of Stroke? 4. Any history of any addictions? 5. Any history of any head trauma? This is my best advice for you with the available details, reply with answers of questions I have asked, and if you have any further query, please ask us. Stay Healthy

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (18 minutes later)

Thanks for the information and advise.I have done MRI-6 mts back-NAD Thyroid profile _ NAD No stroke. Not addicted to any thing except take 100 ml alcohol four to 5 time a week. I am concerned for my Tinnitus(Ringing noise in left ear for the last two months

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Vascular dementia can have tinnitus Detailed Answer: Welcome again. If thyroid and MRI are normal, chances of Senile dementia are there. But Vascular Dementia is again a possibility as it is associated with tinnitus. Tinnitus and dementia are usually closely connected with each other. People with Alzheimer's disease and dementia due to vascular problems can have associated Tinnitus. But tinnitus also has local causes also. Son i would advise you to get an ENT evaluation done to rule out any local cause. If no local cause is found, you should go for 4 vessel angiography brain to rule out any stenosis of blood vessels supplying your brain, that might not be evident in MRI Brain. But first of all you should get an ENT evaluation. If you have any further query please ask me. Stay Healthy.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar