Statin Drugs can Cause Memory Loss

statin drugs

If you suffer from high cholesterol, you understand what can happen if it's not taken care of properly. High cholesterol, though controllable, can leave you at risk for numerous medical issues, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular disease, strokes and heart attacks. In order to control Hypercholesterolemia, your doctor may prescribe certain drugs called statin drugs, that are used to help control, maintain, and lower your cholesterol levels. Statins are the standard drugs that doctors turn to to help ... Read More

Symptoms of Short Term, Mild Memory Loss

short term memory loss

Memory loss can fall into two categories. It can either be short-term or long-term memory loss. Short-term memory loss, no matter how it is caused or brought on, includes memories that stem from the same area of the brain that handles working memory. It is generally coined as anterograde amnesia. Short-term memory typically includes, perhaps, what one ate for lunch that day, the recollection of a work meeting, or acquisition of new physical skills. Short-term memory loss ... Read More

Memory Loss Caused by Strokes

memory loss caused by strokes

Memory loss can be caused by a variety of things, but when you are dealing with memory loss caused by a stroke, you may have a more serious issue to attend to. According to the National Stroke Association, strokes are the third leading cause of death in Americans, and can cause adult disabilities such as dementia. Strokes can be avoidable--they are typically caused by high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Other dietary causes may be salt intake and high fat intake. ... Read More

Causes of Sudden Memory Loss

causes of sudden memory loss

Memory loss can be frustrating, especially when it has a sudden onset. One of the main causes for memory loss and amnesias is a traumatic head injury. When you suffer from a concussion or some sort of physical injury to the brain, you may experience sudden memory loss. It may be either memory loss from your long-term memory or your short-term memory, and can be either permanent or temporary. When your brain swells from a physical injury, it can cause temporary ... Read More

What Tests are Used to Determine Causes of Memory Loss?

memory test

When you start to realize you are suffering from memory lapses and significant memory loss, it's time to see a doctor for some neurological exams. By assessing your mental state and memory with neurological exams, a doctor can accurately diagnose any short-term or long-term issues you may be experiencing in terms of your memory. There are many tests that doctors use in order to diagnose memory loss issues and disorders. The most common way of diagnosing issues caused by memory loss, ... Read More

When Should You Seek Medical Attention for Confusion and Altered Alertness?

confusion

Everyone suffers from memory lapses and forgetfulness from time to time. But when does it become serious, and when should you consider seeking medical attention for your memory loss? The first thing people think of when they think of memory loss in older people is Alzheimer's Disease. But you should never jump to conclusions, and by understanding what might be causing your memory loss, and the severeness of the memory loss, you can help inform your doctor of what exactly you ... Read More

Drugs that Cause Memory Loss Due to Side Effects

memory loss from drugs

There are many reasons why one would experience memory loss, but in some cases, the reason for the short-term memory loss can be due to the use of certain drugs. Of course, recreational drugs, such as marijuana, LSD, cocaine, and PCP are all drugs that can cause memory loss, either temporary or permanent, and can lead to more severe cases of amnesia. If you have been using any of these drugs, you may be experiencing memory loss as a result of use. ... Read More

Common Symptoms of Memory Loss

memory loss symptoms

It can be annoying and even a little scary when you forget something important, but it's not uncommon to be a little forgetful from time to time. Forgetting to bring the present to the birthday party, or being unable to recall where you left your car keys are common forms of forgetfulness that we all experience, no matter what age we are. But when is it time to be concerned? What are the most common symptoms of more severe ... Read More

Memory Loss Caused by Meningitis

memory loss

One reason someone could experience memory loss is due to an inflammatory issue called meningitis. Meningitis is defined as inflammation of the membranes that cover your spinal cord and brain. These protective membranes, called "meninges," can become inflamed for a variety of reasons, but is considered a life threatening, medical emergency due to the fact that it can easily effect one's brain and spinal cord due to its proximity. Either way, it is definitely something that should be diagnosed ... Read More

How an MRI Assists a Doctor in Diagnosing Memory Disorders

MRI memory diagnosis

If a doctor determines that they need more information regarding your sudden or gradual increase in memory loss or lapses, they may determine that an MRI, or a Magnetic Resonance Imaging, test might be necessary. In conjunction with a CAT scan, and MRI can provide helpful information to a doctor that is attempting to diagnose a mental disorder or a doctor that is trying to fully understand the reasoning behind a patient's inability to maintain their short-term or long-term memory. An MRI ... Read More

Understanding Retrograde Amnesia

retrograde amnesia

There have been many movies in Hollywood that focus on instances of amnesia. Some movies, in fact, use amnesia as the main plot device, such as the movie Memento, 50 First Dates, and Clean Slate. But amnesia can be defined in a few different ways. The typical, or more well-known, form of amnesia is called retrograde amnesia. This is when after a specific event, someone has difficulty remembering past memories. For example, after a horrible car accident that causes ... Read More

How Can Depression and Other Mental Illnesses Cause Memory Loss?

how depression can cause memory loss

It's nothing new to learn that sadness and stress can lead to depression, but what else does depression and other mental illnesses do to your body? Depression, anxiety, and stress are three of the most typical mental illnesses and disorders that are associated with the loss of memory and decline in memory recall performance. When one is stressed (which occurs typically in those experiencing depression and anxiety symptoms), your body produces the stress hormone cortisol. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for ... Read More

How Do Doctors Accurately Diagnose Memory Loss?

diagnosing memory loss?

Memory loss and memory lapses, whether short-term or long-term, can be very frustrating for those of us that deal with it. But if you are finding that your memory loss is becoming more permanent than temporary, and is getting progressively worse, it's time to see a doctor for some neurological exams in order to find out what is going on. By catching neurological disorders in the early stages, you can get the treatment you need in order to improve your ... Read More

Understanding Memory – “How” We Forget

how do we forget?

For many of us, the idea of our brain storing all of our memory can be a little difficult to wrap our heads around. However, the mechanics utilized in memory can help us understand exactly "how" we forget things. The storage and recollection of memory is quite a phenomenon that scientists are still in the process of fully comprehending, but they do know a few reasons as to why we forget. One reason is because once information is entered into our ... Read More