|  | Conditions Treatments | Alzheimers

Loss of Memory: Symptoms and Diagnosis

Memory loss, also referred to as amnesia, can occur for a variety of reasons, including injury, illness or age. Understanding the symptoms of potential memory loss can make diagnosis easier, especially for your doctor. To diagnose memory loss, your doctor will take note of your symptoms and run tests to determine any underlying causes of the memory loss, such as Alzheimer's disease.

  1. Forgetfulness

    • Forgetfulness is a common sign of memory loss and can be indicative of other conditions, such as exhaustion, difficulty with concentration, anxiety and even pregnancy.

    Confusion

    • A side effect of memory loss can be confusion. For example, patients may experience confusion because they do not seem to remember events at which they were present.

    Length of Memory Loss

    • Different people will experience different types of memory loss, depending on the underlying cause. Some individuals may only suffer from short-term memory loss, such as forgetting what they ate for breakfast. Others may suffer from long-term memory loss and may forget the names or faces of their family members.

    Irritation

    • Memory loss can be a frustrating condition which can lead to irritability of the affected patient.

    Disorientation

    • Many patients suffering from a form of memory loss may become disoriented and lose track of personal items, time or even their present location.

Alzheimers - Related Articles