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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Memory Loss And Lack Of Focus?

Concerned about recent problem with remembering dates, doctors appointmets, months & days (trouble retaining information I used to store and retain easily, forgetting familiar names (family & friend) - just turned 84, still active physically but feeling unsure when driving & making previously normal decisions. Former business owner, working artist, writer - but now worried that usual, everyday decision making is becoming "uncomfortable" - is it beginning alzheimers or just "normal old-age"? email addr:YYYY@YYYY
posted on Fri, 24 Mar 2017
Twitter Mon, 27 Mar 2017 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 28 Mar 2017 Last reviewed on
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Psychiatrist,  's  Response
Hello, Forgetfulness or amnesia is a fairly common condition at age over 75. It normally occurs due to atrophy or reduction in size of the brain and decrease in neurotransmitter known as Acetylcholine. However a patient of Dementia presents with 1)Cognitive decline ( Inability to perform thinking , reasoning ,remembering). 2) Amnesia or forgetfulness + Any 2 out of the 4- Inability to perform a given motor task (eg- failure to tie shoelaces) / Inability to recognize the sensation of a familiar object ( eg smell, touch ,taste etc) / Inability to talk / Failure in Planning , organising and Sequencing. However Alzheimer's Disease is not the only cause of Dementia though it is the Most Common cause. My suggestion would be to get yourself checked by your nearest Psychiatrist for opinion.
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What Causes Memory Loss And Lack Of Focus?

Hello, Forgetfulness or amnesia is a fairly common condition at age over 75. It normally occurs due to atrophy or reduction in size of the brain and decrease in neurotransmitter known as Acetylcholine. However a patient of Dementia presents with 1)Cognitive decline ( Inability to perform thinking , reasoning ,remembering). 2) Amnesia or forgetfulness + Any 2 out of the 4- Inability to perform a given motor task (eg- failure to tie shoelaces) / Inability to recognize the sensation of a familiar object ( eg smell, touch ,taste etc) / Inability to talk / Failure in Planning , organising and Sequencing. However Alzheimer s Disease is not the only cause of Dementia though it is the Most Common cause. My suggestion would be to get yourself checked by your nearest Psychiatrist for opinion.