Almost everyone has a lapse of memory from time to time. You can't remember where you parked your car or can't remember someone's name. This is normal. But when memory loss interferes with work performance, social activities and daily life, you may need medical care. Memory disorders are becoming more recognized and prevalent in our aging population. Most memory disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, are treatable. The physicians of Neurology Indiana are specialists whose scope of practice includes treating memory disorders.
Memory loss ranges from age-associated memory impairment, which indicates a normal degree of forgetfulness, to dementias such as Alzheimer disease, which can have a profound effect on a person's ability to function. It usually begins with memory loss. As it progresses, there is loss of reasoning and the loss of the ability to perform daily tasks. Alzheimer disease, the most common cause of dementia, affects 4 million Americans. According to the American Academy of Neurology, 10% of people older than age 65 and 50% of people age 85 and older suffer from Alzheimer disease. The National Institutes of Health estimates that there will be 8.5 million Americans with Alzheimer disease by the year 2030. In Indiana, Alzheimer's Disease is not uncommon, affecting an estimated 70,000 Hoosiers. The physicians and staff of Neurology Indiana are experienced in meeting the special needs of people with Alzheimer's disease and other memory disorders as well as helping in a patient and caring atmosphere.
Memory disorders, regardless of underlying cause, can severely disrupt your life. Accurate diagnosis and treatment is the only way to minimize this disruption. Although Alzheimer disease is irreversible, there are effective treatments that can improve cognition, function and quality of life. Memory impairment resulting from other causes, such as depression or thyroid problems, can often be improved or even completely reversed with treatment. Hundreds of disorders can cause memory loss or dementia. Memory loss may be due to conditions such as stroke, tumor, encephalitis, aneurysm, head injury, other degenerative brain diseases, diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid disorders, nutritional deficiencies, Korsakoff's syndrome, reactions to medications, anoxia, drug toxicity, alcohol abuse or even depression or anxiety. Once the underlying cause has been identified, application of disease specific therapies may prevent future decline and may result in significant improvement in memory and thinking.
Some people with memory difficulties are actually suffering from depression or anxiety, rather than a progressive brain disorder. Although they may have symptoms similar to early Alzheimer's disease, they respond to treatment once a correct diagnosis is made. Through early and accurate diagnosis, the physicians of Neurology Indiana work with the patient and family to develop the most appropriate treatment plan for each and every individual patient.
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