“I am forgetting a lot. Is there any medication to improve my memory?”
Lately, I've been very absentminded and forgetful. Is there any medication that I can use to improve my memory? Can you also recommend any mental exercises?
3 Answers
There're multiple supplements on the market advertising to help boost memory however there is no medications or supplements with clinical research data that I aware of.
Need to be evaluated for Thyroid disease,vitamins deficiency and start with Ginkgo bilons and thiamine and vitamin D 3 .After the memory charts evaluations will probably need namenda based on the memory score.
You FIRST need to be evaluated by a good Internist, neurologist, or geriatrican for objective memory loss (and possible other associated neurological abnormalities) with a COMPLETE HISTORY and PHYSICAL and NEUROLOGICAL EXAM.
This includes any history of head injury, concussion, alcohol use, or illicit drug use--all of which can cause memory loss. Also, multiple small brain infarcts can cause memory loss--this is usually seen in older patients with concomitant vascular risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, etc.
Also, some prescribed MEDICATIONS(pain meds, anti-epilieptic drugs, anti-anxiety meds, etc) can cause memory loss and may need to be stopped.
Then you will need your thyroid and B12 blood levels checked, along with a few other simple blood tests. Any MEDICATION you might be on also needs to be evaluated for effects on your memory. Also, older men can develop memory loss when TESTOSTERONE levels decline("male menopause") after the age of 35-40 or so.
Lastly, a brain MRI or CT scan is USUALLY NOT indicated without any additional neurological findings(other than some mild short term memory loss). But a brain imaging scan may be needed depending on the results of your HISTORY, PHYSICAL, NEURO EXAM, and BLOOD TESTS.
Treatment will probably hinge on the results of your work-up and whther you have any REVERSIBLE or curable causes--like hypothyroidism, B12 deficiency, and any causative agents like head injury/concussion, certain medications, alcohol, etc.
This includes any history of head injury, concussion, alcohol use, or illicit drug use--all of which can cause memory loss. Also, multiple small brain infarcts can cause memory loss--this is usually seen in older patients with concomitant vascular risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, etc.
Also, some prescribed MEDICATIONS(pain meds, anti-epilieptic drugs, anti-anxiety meds, etc) can cause memory loss and may need to be stopped.
Then you will need your thyroid and B12 blood levels checked, along with a few other simple blood tests. Any MEDICATION you might be on also needs to be evaluated for effects on your memory. Also, older men can develop memory loss when TESTOSTERONE levels decline("male menopause") after the age of 35-40 or so.
Lastly, a brain MRI or CT scan is USUALLY NOT indicated without any additional neurological findings(other than some mild short term memory loss). But a brain imaging scan may be needed depending on the results of your HISTORY, PHYSICAL, NEURO EXAM, and BLOOD TESTS.
Treatment will probably hinge on the results of your work-up and whther you have any REVERSIBLE or curable causes--like hypothyroidism, B12 deficiency, and any causative agents like head injury/concussion, certain medications, alcohol, etc.
