What Causes Poor Memory And Lightheadedness In The Elderly?

Posted on Fri, 11 Jul 2014

Question: Hi. I need advis3. My fater is 62 years old. He saw 4 different doctors and they cabt find whats is wrong with him. He hqd mri, several blood tests and lumberpunch and allnis normal. His simptoms is poor short term memory and lightheadedness and get wors when under stress

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX

Thanks for using health care magic.

After crossing the middle age barrier (60) the risk of dementia increases dramatically. During the initial phase of dementia there is no blood changes and very minimal changes on CT and MRI brain if any. If you have some old MRI of your father that can be used to assess the real danger of onset of dementia.

The diagnosis of dementia mostly depends on history of patient and it can be diagnosed by a psychiatrist especially geriatric psychiatrist and neurologist.

In my view I suggest to meet one if these symptoms are present
History of dementia in family
Cryying without specific reason
Gradual progression of his memory impairment
Loosing his way in or around house
Good memory about remote things but forgets the things very rapidly
Denies any problem to his memory
Any recent change in behaviour and personality
Occasional or regular incontinence
History of Diabetes or hypertension or stroke

As a bed side test ask him to draw a round clock and than ask him to put the numbers as in a watch. After this ask him to point a specifiec time in watch for e.g. 10 past 15. If he is able to do this than there is very less probability of dementia and more probability of depression which is much more common than dementia in older age group.
Mostly depressed individuals accept that they have memory problem and answer most of questions like "I do not know"

'Hope I have answered your query. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help".
Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (8 hours later)

When having dimentia do you feel lightheaded as if there is wool in your head...because he is constantly lightheaded.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
not specific to dementia

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX

Lightheadedness is not specific to dementia. It may be present in patient with or without dementia. But generally speaking it is more common in depression and anxiety which are also common in older individuals.

I just like to inform you that on the basis of lightheadedness no conclusion can be drawn. The diagnosis of dementia is made after comprehensive history and neuro-psychological testing and the symptoms I mentioned in your first query are red flags or kind of warning symptoms.

Hope I answered your query and if you do not have any clarifications, you can close the discussion and rate the answer. Wish you good health for you and your family".
Regards
Dr Ashok Kumar

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad