Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypesCausesSymptomsDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionOutlookTips for Caregivers
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types
Causes
Symptoms
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
Outlook
Tips for Caregivers
Understanding memory disorders is crucial because some types can last a lifetime. Correct diagnosis and treatment can significantly affect a person’s quality of life and safety.
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Types and How Long They Last
Common Causes
Nonreversible Causes
The most well-known type of memory disorder isdementia, an umbrella term that encompasses many memory loss conditions that share symptoms.
Alzheimer’s diseaseis the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases.It affects 1 in 9 people 65 and older.People with Alzheimer’s disease have high levels of specific proteins around their brain cells, leading to memory loss and other symptoms.
Other types of dementia include:
Dementia conditions are permanent and frequently progress over time, although there are medications that can help alleviate some symptoms.
Traumatic brain injuries, which often cause types of amnesia alongside other symptoms, may be permanent, but in some cases, symptoms improve over time as the person recovers.
Reversible Causes
Other conditions that cause memory loss may be less permanent and resolve with treatment. Examples of reversible causes of memory loss include:
There are fourtypesof memory: sensory,short-term, long-term, and working. Memory disorders can also impact any of the four types and influence your behavior, motor skills, balance, communication, language, problem-solving, and more.
Below are some common symptoms of memory disorders:
Memory disorders are diagnosed with a series of tests, but no singular test provides a definitive diagnosis for most conditions.
Your first step is often to visit a healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms and concerns. They will ask about your health history and may interview family or friends to get a complete picture of any noticeable memory loss.
You will also likely be asked to complete a series of cognitive assessments, sometimes called neurocognitive testing, which may include multiple hours of written, verbal, or computerized tests that evaluate different aspects of your memory, problem-solving, reasoning, and other cognitive abilities.
Your healthcare provider will likely also administer blood tests to check for other conditions causing your symptoms, like vitamin deficiencies. They’ll also do a complete physical and neurological exam to check for signs of conditions like stroke or Parkinson’s disease.
Brain imaging, such asmagnetic resonance imaging(MRI) andcomputed tomography(CT) scans, can also give providers a clearer picture of what is happening in your brain.
In some cases, they will refer you to a specialist, like a neurologist, psychiatrist, or geriatrician, for additional assessment.
Treatments are available for memory disorders, but the exact treatment depends on what’s causing your memory loss.
In the reversible cases mentioned above, treating the underlying cause may help with memory loss symptoms. For example,vitamin B12 injections, changing medications if they’re causing side effects, or taking antidepressants could all help, depending on the situation.
A healthcare provider may recommend occupational therapy, speech therapy, and medication to treat long-term forms of memory loss like dementia, amnesia, and traumatic brain injuries.
Professional care and assistance, ranging from assistive devices to in-home aide workers to moving to a memory care unit, may be relevant for people who need higher-level support.
Can You Prevent Memory Disorders? (Or Slow Progression?)
Scientists agree that there currently is not enough evidence that any medication or lifestyle change can entirely prevent dementia.However, some medications may slow its progression.
Experts recommend specific lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of dementia and other chronic conditions that impact your memory. These strategies include:
Is Memory Loss Permanent?
Mild cognitive impairment—a form of short-term memory loss and cognitive difficulties—often progresses to Alzheimer’s disease, a long-term, progressive disease.
However, two people with dementia will never present the same. Some people lose their memory and cognitive abilities quickly, whereas others may live well with appropriate support for many years.
The outlook for people with memory disorders depends on individual factors, such as their type of memory disorder, their physical health, and any available support and resources.
Caring for a person with a memory disorder can be emotionally and logistically demanding.
Reach out for help because you deserve support like your loved one does. Your healthcare provider should be able to connect you with local services, such as a home care agency or local charity. Caregiver support groups can also help you cope emotionally during this challenging time.
Summary
There are many varieties of memory disorders. They can range from progressive or irreversible forms like dementia to reversible causes like medication side effects. It’s important to know that not every memory disorder is the same, so proper diagnosis and treatment are paramount.
11 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ohio State University.Memory disorders.Penn Medicine.Memory loss.Allen RJ.Classic and recent advances in understanding amnesia.F1000Res. 2018;7:331. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13737.1Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?Alzheimer’s Association.2024 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures.Ohio State University.Mild cognitive impairment.Alzheimer’s Association.Vascular dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s.National Institute on Aging.Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.National Institute on Aging.What causes Alzheimer’s disease?Alzheimer’s Society.The later stage of dementia.
11 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ohio State University.Memory disorders.Penn Medicine.Memory loss.Allen RJ.Classic and recent advances in understanding amnesia.F1000Res. 2018;7:331. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13737.1Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?Alzheimer’s Association.2024 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures.Ohio State University.Mild cognitive impairment.Alzheimer’s Association.Vascular dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s.National Institute on Aging.Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.National Institute on Aging.What causes Alzheimer’s disease?Alzheimer’s Society.The later stage of dementia.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ohio State University.Memory disorders.Penn Medicine.Memory loss.Allen RJ.Classic and recent advances in understanding amnesia.F1000Res. 2018;7:331. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13737.1Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?Alzheimer’s Association.2024 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures.Ohio State University.Mild cognitive impairment.Alzheimer’s Association.Vascular dementia.Alzheimer’s Association.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s.National Institute on Aging.Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.National Institute on Aging.What causes Alzheimer’s disease?Alzheimer’s Society.The later stage of dementia.
Ohio State University.Memory disorders.
Penn Medicine.Memory loss.
Allen RJ.Classic and recent advances in understanding amnesia.F1000Res. 2018;7:331. doi:10.12688/f1000research.13737.1
Alzheimer’s Association.What is dementia?
Alzheimer’s Association.2024 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures.
Ohio State University.Mild cognitive impairment.
Alzheimer’s Association.Vascular dementia.
Alzheimer’s Association.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s.
National Institute on Aging.Memory problems, forgetfulness, and aging.
National Institute on Aging.What causes Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s Society.The later stage of dementia.
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