Is Memory Loss Treatable?

Contributed by: Dennis Fortier, President, Medical Care Corporation
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This is a common question that needs to be recast before it can be answered in any useful way.

To explore the question as posed, we must start with this other question: What is the cause of the Memory Loss you wish to treat? Once we have that information at hand, we can properly respond.

The point of this post, and of this recent article from KABC-TV in Los Angeles, is that there are many medical conditions that can cause memory loss. While many seem people to be most acutely aware of Alzheimer's disease, other common conditions such as depression, thyroid disorders, and vitamin deficiency can also impair memory.

In terms of treatment efficacy, these latter three (depression, thyroid, and vitamin deficiency) can be treated with excellent results. Alzheimer's disease treatments are less effective but perhaps not as poor as many headlines would indicate. The key to delaying progressive symptoms of Alzheimer's is early intervention coupled with a robust treatment plan that includes prescription drugs but also emphasizes good nutrition, physical exercise, social engagement, and careful management of other conditions such as diabetes and hypertension.

Not every patient responds well to this treatment but many can delay progression of decline due to Alzheimer's disease for a meaningful period of years. As such, the simple answer to the question "Is Memory Loss Treatable?" must be "Yes". The degree of treatment success depends on the cause of the memory loss and individual factors related to the patient's health and genetics.

1 comment :

  1. Many causes of memory loss are treatable. When a family member starts having memory problems that are severe enough that you can no longer make excuses, it is time to take action. Both you and your family member may fear that Alzheimer's disease or another form of dementia is causing her memory loss.

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