Memory Loss
Alternate Names : Amnesia
How is the symptom diagnosed?
A person does not need to see a healthcare professional about simple memory
loss that happens only once in a while. If memory loss is severe and
progressive, Alzheimer's disease must be considered. Dementia can be diagnosed
only if a healthcare provider is made aware of the problem.
The family should be able to discuss the range of the person's symptoms over
time. Included should be how symptoms progressed and whether the symptoms
improved or deteriorated. Also, the family should report how suddenly or
gradually symptoms came on. The healthcare provider should also know all
medications that the individual is taking. This includes over-the-counter
products, herbal remedies,
and all
prescription medications.
Combinations of drugs may impair memory at times. The healthcare provider will
look for other medical conditions that may contribute to the symptoms.
To determine if other medical conditions are contributing to the symptoms,
tests may be done. Tests may include:
blood tests, such as a complete blood count, or CBC,
thyroid function tests,
tests for
infectious diseases and vitamin levels in the blood
memory testing
electroencephalogram, or EEG, which measures brain waves
electrocardiogram, or
ECG, which
measures the electrical activity of the heart
cranial MRI or
cranial CT scans, which look at the
structures of the brain
spinal tap, a
procedure in
which a small amount of fluid is withdrawn from the spinal column to look for
infection or bleeding
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