Memory Loss
Alternate Names : Amnesia, Forgetfulness, Impaired Memory, Loss of Memory
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What to Expect at your Health Care Provider's Office
The health care provider will perform a physical examination and will obtain a medical history. This may require asking questions of family members and friends.
Medical history questions documenting memory loss in detail may include the following:
- Type
- Can the person remember recent events (is there impaired short-term memory)?
- Can the person remember events from further in the past (is there impaired long-term memory)?
- Is there a loss of memory about events that occurred prior to a specific experience (anterograde amnesia)?
- Is there a loss of memory about events that occurred soon after a specific experience (retrograde amnesia)?
- Is there only a minimal loss of memory?
- Does the person make up stories to cover gaps in memory (confabulation)?
- Is the person suffering from low moods that impair concentration?
- Time pattern
- Has the memory loss been getting worse over years?
- Has the memory loss been developing over weeks or months?
- Is the memory loss present all the time or are there distinct episodes of amnesia?
- If there are amnesia episodes, how long do they last?
- Aggravating or triggering factors
- Has there been a head injury in the recent past?
- Has the person experienced an event that was emotionally traumatic?
- Has there been a surgery or procedure requiring a general anesthetic?
- Does the person use alcohol? How much?
- Does the person use illegal/illicit drugs? How much? What type?
- Other symptoms
- What other symptoms are present?
- Is the person confused or disoriented?
- Can they independently eat, dress, and perform similar self-care activities?
- Have they had seizures?
Physical examination may include a detailed neurological examination. Recent, intermediate, and long-term memory will be tested.
Diagnostic tests that may be performed include the following:
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