Question

Tina’s 83-year-old great uncle forgets where he is during his yearly check-up. He doesn’t remember if he’s had memory problems before and no family members came to your office with him. List your differential diagnosis. What assessments would you perform?

Answer 1

He actually could be having a stroke.


He could have Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.

He could have a concussion.

He could have brain damage from substance abuse or smoking.

Treatment for memory loss depends on the cause. In many cases, it may be reversible with treatment.

For example, memory loss from medications may resolve with a change in medication.

Nutritional supplements can be useful against memory loss caused by a nutritional deficiency. And treating depression may be helpful for memory when depression is a factor.

In some cases -- such as following a stroke -- therapy may help people remember how to do certain tasks such as walking or tying shoes.

In others, memory may improve over time.

Treatments may also be specific to conditions related to memory loss.

For example, drugs are available to treat memory problems related to Alzheimer's disease, and drugs to help lower blood pressure can help reduce risk of more brain damage from dementia related to high blood pressure.

Hope this helped!