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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Could The Medications Have Caused Memory Loss For A 62-year-old?

I have a friend who is a paraplegic and is on numerous medications. Had a heart attack years ago. Has pain due to his spinal injury. He has some short term memory loss, but he will be talking to me and say something that has nothing to do with the conversation we are having. He started doing this more & more and it really bothers him. He knows that what he says makes no sense after he says it, but he can t stop himself from saying it. He is 62 yrs. old. He has had testing on his brain and there are no tumors present. I realize some of the medications he is on can cause some memory loss, but it is the random statements he makes that no bearing on the conversation that worries me. Can you give me some idea of what could possibly be going on. Thank you for your response.
Wed, 27 Nov 2019
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Dietitian & Nutritionist 's  Response
Hello,

Memory loss from medications is quite common, especially as we age.

There are several things that can be done to improve memory capacity as one ages and to fight the decline that comes with some medication use.

There are games that can be played to stimulate neurotransmission and memory retention.

There are supplements such as Cognizen and choline that can be taken. There are foods that can be eaten such as blueberries that have a proven effect on delaying dementia symptoms.

Following a Mediterrean diet has also been linked to the delay in dementia like symptoms and in Alzheimer's Disease.

I would combine any preventive therapy with a visit to the primary care physician for an evaluation.

There may be medication alterations that can be made or a medication that can be added to stimulate brain function such as Modafinil or a cognitive enhancer such as Namenda.

But, everything should begin with a comprehensive assessment before interventions.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Take care

Regards,
Kathy Shattler, Dietitian & Nutritionist
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Could The Medications Have Caused Memory Loss For A 62-year-old?

Hello, Memory loss from medications is quite common, especially as we age. There are several things that can be done to improve memory capacity as one ages and to fight the decline that comes with some medication use. There are games that can be played to stimulate neurotransmission and memory retention. There are supplements such as Cognizen and choline that can be taken. There are foods that can be eaten such as blueberries that have a proven effect on delaying dementia symptoms. Following a Mediterrean diet has also been linked to the delay in dementia like symptoms and in Alzheimer s Disease. I would combine any preventive therapy with a visit to the primary care physician for an evaluation. There may be medication alterations that can be made or a medication that can be added to stimulate brain function such as Modafinil or a cognitive enhancer such as Namenda. But, everything should begin with a comprehensive assessment before interventions. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Take care Regards, Kathy Shattler, Dietitian & Nutritionist