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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Can Cause Episode Of Disorientation And Memory Loss?

I am 58 years old and had an unusual experience at work. I stepped out into the hallway after using the restroom and realized I did not know which way to walk or which door to go through. It was very upsetting. I knew I was at work, but was completely disoriented as to where I was in the building. In less than a minute, I got myself re-oriented. It was VERY scary. I associate the loss of internal maps with Alzheimers. thoughts?
Mon, 14 Dec 2015
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Welcome to HCM: which are describing her symptoms related to vasovagal presyncope. 2 things happening. One is when you get up from a sitting position to an upright position you don't have enough blood flow to your brain as your heart is not able to detect this on pump enough blood to your brain. This causes a feeling of wooziness or lightheadedness. As you to expect yet thinking is also slowed at that point. The other thing is with this condition is when people go and urinate. For some reason they get the same effect after urinating where they get this Losey disorientated feeling. In the interim I would increase your fluid intake. Vasovagal symptoms can be alleviated by making sure you drinking enough fluids during the day. And coffee does not cut it because it is a diuretic and it makes you urinate more. These are symptoms are discussed with your Dr. at next available appointment.
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Psychologist,  Dr. Psychologist K. V. Anand's  Response
Dear
Welcome to HCM
We understand your concerns

I went through your details. You know yourself well. Alzheimers cannot make you forget internal maps all of a sudden. That is a long process. Once that happens, you will not even know.

Let me clarify to you. You were working and you could recall you were stressed. Naturally stress leads to disorientation. Disorientation is a scary sensation and naturally, because of disorientation, you got scared or got anxious. Naturally because of that the disorientation symptom worsened. You got back your orientation within a minute too. I don't think there is anything to worry with the current episode.

You should be active, indulge in physical exercise and activities, socialize, do brain games and creative hobbies so as to keep dementia or alzheimers at bay.
I also suggest you to consult your physician for a routine complete check up and investigation, though there is nothing to be worried about.

If you still need my assistance in this regard, please use this link. http://goo.gl/aYW2pR. Please remember to describe the whole problem with full detail.

Hope this answers your query. Please feel free to post follow up queries. Available for further clarifications.
Good luck. Take care.
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What Can Cause Episode Of Disorientation And Memory Loss?

Welcome to HCM: which are describing her symptoms related to vasovagal presyncope. 2 things happening. One is when you get up from a sitting position to an upright position you don t have enough blood flow to your brain as your heart is not able to detect this on pump enough blood to your brain. This causes a feeling of wooziness or lightheadedness. As you to expect yet thinking is also slowed at that point. The other thing is with this condition is when people go and urinate. For some reason they get the same effect after urinating where they get this Losey disorientated feeling. In the interim I would increase your fluid intake. Vasovagal symptoms can be alleviated by making sure you drinking enough fluids during the day. And coffee does not cut it because it is a diuretic and it makes you urinate more. These are symptoms are discussed with your Dr. at next available appointment.