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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Suggest Remedy For Short Term Memory Loss

My mother is 74, and within the last 6 months, I ve noticed a huge amount of short term memory loss, and it doesn t seem to be getting better. Today I got a call from her...and she doesn t remember how to pay a bill. After talking a while with her, she mentioned this last summer she had an episode of severe dizziness and couldn t remember who she was or where she was. She didn t tell me at the time.She s generally very active, cuts her own grass, maintains the house (she lives by herself), things like that. She s also very healthy, takes no medication, and is self-sufficient. I talk with her every day, and a few times a week I visit and have breakfast or dinner with her. She forgets what she is talking about and must tell her repeatedly about current events, none of which she remembers. Could she have had a stroke? At some point, I will bring her to live with me, but she won t discuss it yet. She is VERY reluctant to seek medical treatment...she even hates taking the occasional motrin.
Mon, 23 Feb 2015
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Neurologist,  's  Response
I read your question carefully and I understand your concern.

From your description your mother seems to show manifestations of dementia. Dementia can have many causes, stroke being one of them, however the most common one and also compatible with your mothers symptoms is Alzheimer's disease.
Naturally some other potential causes must be excluded through tests such as brain imaging to exclude stroke or tumor and some blood tests such as blood count, glucose, liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes, thyroid function tests, Vitamin B12 levels.
If after the tests and medical evaluation the diagnosis will remain Alzheimers there are some available treatments to slow down its progression but unfortunately not to halt it altogether, only slow it down. Eventually she will need constant attention as she will not be able to function independently. However as I said that diagnosis must be confirmed first.

I hope to have been of help.
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Suggest Remedy For Short Term Memory Loss

I read your question carefully and I understand your concern. From your description your mother seems to show manifestations of dementia. Dementia can have many causes, stroke being one of them, however the most common one and also compatible with your mothers symptoms is Alzheimer s disease. Naturally some other potential causes must be excluded through tests such as brain imaging to exclude stroke or tumor and some blood tests such as blood count, glucose, liver and kidney function tests, electrolytes, thyroid function tests, Vitamin B12 levels. If after the tests and medical evaluation the diagnosis will remain Alzheimers there are some available treatments to slow down its progression but unfortunately not to halt it altogether, only slow it down. Eventually she will need constant attention as she will not be able to function independently. However as I said that diagnosis must be confirmed first. I hope to have been of help.