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 ... Read More
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
There are many different learning styles out there. You yourself may find that you do better at writing down material than you are listening to it, or perhaps you love getting down and dirty and find opportunities to dissect frogs or plants are more fulfilling and memorable to you than a lecture given by your teacher. It’s important to understand that everyone has a different way of learning, and by understanding your learning style, you will be able to better ... Read More
You may notice that many things you learned in school used acronyms to help you remember them. And chances are many of them you may still recall to this day. For example, you may have had to remember the five Great Lakes in the United States. It is typical for people to remember them by using the acronym “HOMES”: Huron, Ontario, Michigan, Erie, and Superior. Many people go their entire lives remembering this acronym, while forgetting other things ... Read More
