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| {{Amnesia}}
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| {{CMG}} ; {{ADI}}
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| ==Overview==
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| It is critical to perform a formal and exhaustive assessment to have a good understanding of memory disorders and patients' subjective complaints in order to provide interventions tailored to address their needs.
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| ==Presenting Symptoms==
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| Symptoms of memory loss vary from person to person, but can include: forgetting dates and names; beginning a task but then forgetting the purpose of it; getting lost easily; repeating things over and over again, sometimes in the same conversation; and having difficulties performing familiar tasks such as driving or baking. They usually occur gradually and may vary in intensity depending on the cause of the condition.
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| Confusion or decreased [[alertness]] may be the first symptom of memory loss and also of serious illness, particularly in older adults.<ref>[http://health.yahoo.com/alzheimers-overview/confusion-memory-loss-and-altered-alertness/healthwise--confu.htmlConfusion, Memory Loss, and Altered Alertness]Retrieved on 2010-03-10</ref>
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| The most worrisome symptoms are not those related to things that people forget to do.{{Opinion|date=February 2012}} Some patients may have problems mixing up or remembering words for objects or can have trouble understanding or taking part in a conversation. Being unable to make a simple decision can suggest that something is not working as it should and [[medical advice]] should be sought.
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| Whether an individual suffers from memory loss is not decided only based on one's symptoms. In order to diagnose the condition a doctor will obtain a detailed medical history of the patient. The patient will also undergo several [[Neuropsychology|neuropsychological]]tests that will focus on his or her memory functions. Several other medical exams such as an[[electroencephalography]], an [[Magnetic resonance imaging|MRI]], or a [[X-ray computed tomography|CT scan]] can be performed in order to establish an accurate diagnosis.
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| The main type of memory loss is [[short-term memory]]. Short-term memory refers to memories that last for a few minutes.
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| ==History to be obtained==
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| Medical history questions may include:
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| *Type
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| :*Can the person remember recent events (is there impaired short-term memory)?
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| :*Can the person remember events from further in the past (is there impaired long-term memory)?
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| :*Is there a loss of memory about events that occurred before a specific experience (anterograde amnesia)?
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| :*Is there a loss of memory about events that occurred soon after a specific experience (retrograde amnesia)?
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| :*Is there only a minimal loss of memory?
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| :*Does the person make up stories to cover gaps in memory (confabulation)?
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| :*Is the person suffering from low moods that impair concentration?
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| *Time pattern
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| :*Has the memory loss been getting worse over years?
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| :*Has the memory loss been developing over weeks or months?
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| :*Is the memory loss present all the time or are there distinct episodes of amnesia?
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| :*If there are amnesia episodes, how long do they last?
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| *Aggravating or triggering factors
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| :*Has there been a head injury in the recent past?
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| :*Has the person experienced an event that was emotionally traumatic?
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| :*Has there been a surgery or procedure requiring general anesthesia?
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| :*Does the person use alcohol? How much?
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| :*Does the person use illegal/illicit drugs? How much? What type?
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| *Other symptoms
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| :*What other symptoms does the person have?
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| :*Is the person confused or disoriented?
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| :*Can they independently eat, dress, and perform similar self-care activities?
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| :*Have they had seizures?
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| ==References==
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| {{reflist|2}}
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| {{WH}}
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| {{WS}}
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| [[Category:Grammar]]
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