If you or someone you know is dealing with symptoms of dementia, a doctor may very well bring up testing the patient with a neurological exam called the mini-mental state examination, or the MMSE. This test, also referred to as the Folstein test, is a questionnaire that is used by doctors to test cognitive impairment and to screen for issues such as dementia. It takes about ten minutes and can cover areas such as the person’s understanding of orientation, their memory recall and their arithmetic abilities.

The mini mental status examination is a simple test that can be used not only to screen for dementia and other mental issues, but it is also used over longer periods of time to determine the effectiveness of certain treatments. By tracking the patient’s responses and score of the test over a period of time, a doctor can determine whether certain medical treatments are working for the patient, and can assist in keeping progression of mental disorders at bay.

The MMSE will typically test certain concerns, such as one’s attention span, arithmetic calculations, memory recall, language abilities, ability to repeat spoken phrases, their orientation in terms of time and place, and their ability to perform certain commands, such as drawing a certain item or scenario. By assigning points to each of these tests and abilities, a doctor can determine the cognitive abilities of a patient in a short period of time, without having to rely on expensive technological tests such as CAT scans and MRIs.

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 treat and control this disease. Statins are sold under a number of names including Lipitor, Mevacor, Pravachol, and Zocor.

There are many side effects to these commonly prescribed drugs for cholesterol. Patients using statin drugs may experience muscle pain and weakness, digestive problems, rash and flushing, liver damage, and lastly, memory loss.

Memory loss is an issue that a lot of statin drug users deal with, and it is one of the complaints that they typically voice to their doctors. Memory loss, along with other neurological side effects, tend to affect those using statin drugs to control their hypercholesterolemia.

Due to the varying side effects of statin drugs, some doctors tend to shy away from prescribing it until other measures have been used to help control their patient’s high cholesterol. Living a healthy lifestyle, by exercising, eating well, and keeping your weight controlled, are other alternatives to taking statin drugs and experiencing memory lapses and memory loss. These alternatives should be taken into consideration, especially if you feel the side effects outweigh the risks of higher cholesterol levels.

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 occurs when there has been damage to the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory recollection, or nerves of the brain, either by swelling or a traumatic event and injury. Short-term memory loss is determined also as a body’s way of emotionally detaching from a seriously, life-changing event. For example, anterograde amnesia can occur after a car accident, rape, or death of a loved one. When someone begins to lose their short-term memory, it can be either sudden or progressive. If someone you know is suffering from the symptoms of short-term memory loss, it is highly recommended that medical attention be sought to prevent long-term damage to the brain, or to diagnose a larger issue.

Short-term memory loss may appear at first as simple forgetfulness–you can’t recall what you had for breakfast, or you forgot the new person’s name at work. But when it becomes a daily occurrence that is need for concern, one should definitely bring the issue to their doctor’s attention, as short-term memory loss, especially memory loss that is more permanent and progressive, is nothing to be taken lightly.

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. Smoking can also increase your risk for a stroke.

Strokes occur when an artery in your brain is blocked by a blood clot. This causes an interruption in the blood flow to the brain, and causes brain damage by causing brain cells to begin dying off. This, in turn, can affect numerous portions of your brain and your physical abilities, depending on the source of the blood clot in the brain. Your memory, speech or physical movements may be affected.

Strokes vary from person to person, but even small, less severe strokes, which can go unnoticed, can cause memory loss. Memory loss is typically a sign of a less severe stroke, and can sometimes be the first major symptom that friends and family members might pick up on. Dementia can sometimes occur in those who have suffered a stroke.

80% of strokes are preventable, so by living a healthy lifestyle and by eating a low fat, low sodium diet, you can help increase your chances of avoiding a stroke. By monitoring your blood pressure and cholesterol, you can take the steps to prevent strokes and protect yourself from any permanent damage that may result from one.
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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 memory loss, and the memory can return after the swelling has subsided. This is not always the case though, so any kind of physical injury to the head should be checked out immediately.

For those who suffer from hypercholesterolemia, statin drugs that help keep cholesterol at bay may cause sudden memory loss. This is typically temporary, and can be changed by using dietary nutritional intake to control cholesterol instead of statin drugs.

If you have an infection in the brain, you may experience sudden memory loss as well. It is important that brain infections be caught early on to ensure return of memory and proper medical treatment.
Strokes and epilepsy can also cause sudden memory loss. Some strokes, though small, may go unnoticed, but if you are experiencing sudden memory loss, it is definitely a reason for concern. A doctor can run some neurological tests to determine the exact cause of your sudden memory loss.

Sudden memory loss should not be taken lightly, and you should consider medical treatment if you are experiencing such memory lapses. This can be concerning, but if treated properly, permanent damage can be avoided.


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, such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease, and Parkinson’s Disease, among others, is by testing you with a CAT scan or an MRI. This shows the doctor’s how your brain is functioning, and can sometimes be the only test they need in order to diagnose a disorder or mental illness.

In some cases, doctors will use an abbreviated mental test score, or AMTS, especially in the elderly. This is more for confusion and dementia, and covers simple questions that should be stored in one’s long-term memory. The abbreviated mental test score focuses on the patient’s ability to recall data, such as the year of their birth, their name, etcetera. The mini-mental status examination, or MMSE, is used with patients that are coherent enough to participate in repeating words, and testing them on their attention, calculation skills, and orientation.

There are some other tests that doctor’s may use in certain circumstances, such as a Sternberg Memory Scan or the California Verbal Learning Test, or CVLT.

No matter how your doctor decides to determine and diagnose your mental loss reasoning, it is important to trust that your doctor is competent in figuring out what is causing your memory lapses and memory loss.

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 are experiencing.

Understand that memory loss is a typical age-related issue. As you get older, it is typical to experience memory lapses, forgetfulness, and some short-term memory loss. But when you start forgetting words, names of family members, or long-term memories, it might be time to have some neurological testing done to find out what is causing your progressive memory loss.

It’s also a good idea to take a look at your lifestyle and any medications you may be taking. Sometimes, Vitamin B-12 deficiencies can cause temporary memory loss. This is because B-12 helps maintain red blood cells and nerve cells, keeping them healthy. Medications can have side effects that involve memory loss or lapses, and excessive alcohol intake can also cause some reversible memory loss.

And of course, it’s a good idea to rule out a traumatic head injury or a mental health disorder, such as depression or anxiety. These mental illnesses can also cause memory lapses, and it is important to rule this, and stress, out from your list of possible causes.

It’s important to see a doctor as soon as you start experiencing memory loss that is not quite normal for your age or lifestyle. Catching memory issues early on can help a doctor give better and more effective treatment for any illnesses or disorders that you may be experiencing.

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. Alcohol, as well as the recreational drugs listed below, can significantly damage your cognitive abilities.

In addition to recreational drugs, there are numerous over-the-counter drugs that can cause memory loss. The list is extensive, and not all manufacturer’s list “memory loss” as a side effect of their medications, so it can be difficult to determine which over-the-counter medications cause memory loss and lapses in memory.

It is understood that statin drugs, which are used to help control hypercholesterolemia, can cause mild short-term memory loss, in addition to anti-anxiety drugs such as Xanax. In addition to Xanax and statin drugs, drugs such as Topamax, Vesanoid, Zyban, Lupron Depot, Copegus, Ambien and Klonopin.

Typically, over-the-counter medications that cause memory loss do not cause permanent damage. Once the use of over-the-counter medications is ceased, short-term memory generally comes back to its previous state before the drug was started. Understanding what drugs, either recreational or over-the-counter, cause memory loss as a side effect is a good way to fully understand that reasoning for your memory loss.

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 memory loss?

First, it’s important to understand the different between short-term memory and long-term memory. Long-term memory includes memories from the past. For example, your wedding day 20 years ago would be considered a long-term memory. A short-term memory is something that you store in your memory recall for a short period of time, such as what you ate for lunch yesterday.

You also need to consider the progression of the memory loss. If you are getting considerably worse in remembering either long-term or short-term memories, you may want to seek medical attention. Memory loss caused by alcohol and drug abuse or stress is reversible, and shouldn’t get progressively worse. Progressive memory loss is generally a sign of something more serious, and should be checked out by a doctor.

Also, determine whether your memory loss is permanent or temporary. Do you remember the item later on, or have you forgotten it entirely? Amnesia and dementia can be complicated issues, so a doctor’s advice is highly recommended in cases of extreme memory loss.

Whether you’re experiencing temporary memory loss or are dealing with daily, even hourly, forgetfulness, it’s important to discuss these changes with your primary care doctor to determine when it’s time for a neurological evaluation.

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 as soon as possible.

Meningitis can cause a handful of issues after it has been diagnosed and treated. It can cause some permanent and temporary issues. In addition to causing changes in one’s sight, hearing problems, epilepsy, and sometimes paralysis of certain parts of the body (after affecting one’s spinal cord), meningitis can also cause considerable memory loss, confusion, and the inability to concentrate and focus. Along with speech impairments and other mental impairments, the after effects of meningitis can stay with you for a long time. Most problems progressively get better with time, but not always, so it is important to monitor your physical and mental well being during and after being diagnosed and treating your meningitis.

Everyone responds to meningitis differently, but if you are experiencing severe headaches, neck aches, fever, stiffness, and confusion or memory loss, you may be suffering from the symptoms of meningitis. If not promptly attended to, meningitis can be life threatening, so understanding the symptoms and notifying your doctor are ways to stay on top of this inflammatory issue.