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What Does Sudden Episode Of Memory Loss Indicate?
Question: My husband is experience sudden memory loss. He does not remember anything that happened today -
going to his office to unlock the door for an employee, going to Lowes to buy parts for a lighting project, or
going to Cosco. I have shown him the items he purchased and he does not remember purchasing them.
going to his office to unlock the door for an employee, going to Lowes to buy parts for a lighting project, or
going to Cosco. I have shown him the items he purchased and he does not remember purchasing them.
Brief Answer:
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
From your description, it is very likely to be an episode of Transient global amnesia,which is a sudden loss of memory.It is temporary ,not harmful condition and it lasts less then 24 hours.The cause is unknown but strenuous physical activity,head trauma and stress can trigger it.
If your husband ,except the episode of memory loss, feels well and recognizes other people ,objects etc ,doesn't have other symptoms (like numbness of any limb, difficulty speaking etc) it is very likely to be transient global amnesia.In this case you have nothing to worry about ,he will be fine after some hours and this is very unlikely to happen again.His memory will return gradually.
The problem is that serious causes of sudden memory loss like stroke or seizures should be excluded first.It might be a good idea to see a physician and get examined just to be on the safe side.If neurological examination is normal ,then it is very unlikely to be something serious.
If this episode of memory loss happens again ,he may need further investigations like CT or MRI to exclude pathological causes.
Hope it helps.
Please feel free to ask for every question you might have.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to Healthcare Magic.
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
From your description, it is very likely to be an episode of Transient global amnesia,which is a sudden loss of memory.It is temporary ,not harmful condition and it lasts less then 24 hours.The cause is unknown but strenuous physical activity,head trauma and stress can trigger it.
If your husband ,except the episode of memory loss, feels well and recognizes other people ,objects etc ,doesn't have other symptoms (like numbness of any limb, difficulty speaking etc) it is very likely to be transient global amnesia.In this case you have nothing to worry about ,he will be fine after some hours and this is very unlikely to happen again.His memory will return gradually.
The problem is that serious causes of sudden memory loss like stroke or seizures should be excluded first.It might be a good idea to see a physician and get examined just to be on the safe side.If neurological examination is normal ,then it is very unlikely to be something serious.
If this episode of memory loss happens again ,he may need further investigations like CT or MRI to exclude pathological causes.
Hope it helps.
Please feel free to ask for every question you might have.
Kind regards,
Dr.Rovena Murati
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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