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What Causes Memory Loss?

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Posted on Thu, 5 Mar 2015
Question: I was in Vietnam(1966-1967)USMC, north and west of DaNang. While there we I witnessed the after effects of agent orange, spent a lot of time around it. Before I went to Vietnam, I spent a year in Europe working with the flame throwers on our practice landings off the ships. The flame throwers are fueled with Napalm with we mixed in barrels in the field. We would dump the dry brown powder into a bucket, (for measurement), and then dump that slowly into the barrel of gas, mixing it all the time with a wood paddle. When the liquid became a gel( loose jello), dumped it into the guns, pressurize and shot. My question today, could the agent orange and the napalm be giving me these excruciating headaches, cramping in my legs and arms, that actually brake capillaries with in the arm or leg, leaving a very severe black and blue situation for a few weeks. My primary care Doctor has requested MRI for the brain, the PM Doctor questioned it, said he felt that the blood flow to the right side of my brain is not sufficient. He then sent me for a neuropsychological evaluation. One test was for 2 hours, the second was for 5 hrs., basically the test showed slightly below normal. The psychology doctor said my memory loss is in regards to lack of sleep? Went through 2 ea sleep test, it was determined I have sleep apnea, the air equipment was ordered and I used it 4 nights, throat felt like sandpaper. It was then determined I have a deviated syptom, which will be operated on in April. I still do not why or how, I'm getting these cramps and headaches?, could it possibly the agent orange and napalm? Thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr.Maheshwari (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You may need some blood test to be done.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to the HCM
Agent orange can cause the side effects for example.
Neurological..somnolence (feeling drowsy), numbess and tingling in legs,dizziness,headaches,loss of sensation in lower extremities and sleep apnea.
Gastric problems,kidney problems, psycological problems etc

Since its been quite long to be in exposure with this substance( Dioxin) but you can get checked blood test to detect dioxin.

Since you are 69 years old and other causes of your symptoms at this age which are very common can be atherosclerosis and hypertention and dislipidemia .
I would suggest you to get checked your B.P morning and night for one week daily to rule out hypertention.
For athersclerosis and dislipidemia get lipid profile done .
I would also suggest you to get doppler test of legs to rule out vericose veins.And discuss further with doctor.
If you can upload the reports of your test ,i would appreciate ,as it could also help to conclude further.
Hope I answered your question.you may ask further without hesitation.
Take care.
Regards,Dr.Maheshwari
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr.Maheshwari

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 766 Questions

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What Causes Memory Loss?

Brief Answer: You may need some blood test to be done. Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to the HCM Agent orange can cause the side effects for example. Neurological..somnolence (feeling drowsy), numbess and tingling in legs,dizziness,headaches,loss of sensation in lower extremities and sleep apnea. Gastric problems,kidney problems, psycological problems etc Since its been quite long to be in exposure with this substance( Dioxin) but you can get checked blood test to detect dioxin. Since you are 69 years old and other causes of your symptoms at this age which are very common can be atherosclerosis and hypertention and dislipidemia . I would suggest you to get checked your B.P morning and night for one week daily to rule out hypertention. For athersclerosis and dislipidemia get lipid profile done . I would also suggest you to get doppler test of legs to rule out vericose veins.And discuss further with doctor. If you can upload the reports of your test ,i would appreciate ,as it could also help to conclude further. Hope I answered your question.you may ask further without hesitation. Take care. Regards,Dr.Maheshwari