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What Causes Trouble Remembering Words In An Elderly Patient?
My 70 yo husband is having trouble remembering words and phone numbers--just started within past hour. No other symptoms except when at library earlier, he said he dropped some things. A month ago he had suspected TIA but had other symptoms including numbness of hand/arm.
Wed, 30 May 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
The first thing to do is to distinguish between aphasia and loss of short-term memory. If he can't recall what you've been talking about just a few moments ago then this is a memory problem. If he can't talk about every day stuff without hesitating or struggling to find the right words (and sometimes failing to do so) and does so frequently enough to exclude a coincidence then this is more likely to be aphasia.
Aphasia can be a sign of a cerebrovascular event (like TIA or stroke). Memory problems are more likely to be caused by dementia. In any case he needs a careful assessment by his doctor. Clinical examination (in search of neurological deficits) and laboratory testing (to identify disorders like hyponatremia for example) will help to reveal the underlying disorder.
Sometimes mild dementia can go unrecognized and only be brought to light under certain circumstances like a mild infection, electrolyte disorders, anemia, etc.
So in conclusion, I believe that your husband has to be assessed by his doctor promptly. If you'd like to provide more information about his symptoms, it may help to get a better idea of his current condition.
Best Regards!
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
The first thing to do is to distinguish between aphasia and loss of short-term memory. If he can't recall what you've been talking about just a few moments ago then this is a memory problem. If he can't talk about every day stuff without hesitating or struggling to find the right words (and sometimes failing to do so) and does so frequently enough to exclude a coincidence then this is more likely to be aphasia.
Aphasia can be a sign of a cerebrovascular event (like TIA or stroke). Memory problems are more likely to be caused by dementia. In any case he needs a careful assessment by his doctor. Clinical examination (in search of neurological deficits) and laboratory testing (to identify disorders like hyponatremia for example) will help to reveal the underlying disorder.
Sometimes mild dementia can go unrecognized and only be brought to light under certain circumstances like a mild infection, electrolyte disorders, anemia, etc.
So in conclusion, I believe that your husband has to be assessed by his doctor promptly. If you'd like to provide more information about his symptoms, it may help to get a better idea of his current condition.
Best Regards!
I find this answer helpful
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service. I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
This is called dementia , and there are so many causes , one important cause is vascular dementia , which is specially of acute onset as what you said about your husband, and specially that he had A TIA a month ago. I would like you must see a neurologist , who would probably get an MRI done to know the cause.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
This is called dementia , and there are so many causes , one important cause is vascular dementia , which is specially of acute onset as what you said about your husband, and specially that he had A TIA a month ago. I would like you must see a neurologist , who would probably get an MRI done to know the cause.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
I find this answer helpful
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