Do memory loss and forgetfulness indicate dementia?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am worried about my mother-in-law’s health condition. She is 75 years old. She had a stroke a few years back. Now she takes medicines to control her blood pressure. I am not aware of the medicines she is taking now. Nowadays, she forgets things often. Sometimes, she forgets people close to her. Her memory loss has increased in these past four months. Her activity around the house has decreased. There are some changes in her daily activities and gait. Does this memory loss indicate dementia? Is it possible to treat this condition? Does this require urgent attention? I need your valuable suggestion to rectify this problem.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I thoroughly read your query and understand your concern.

I can understand your situation and concern about your mother-in-law. You are right; she may have vascular dementia due to a stroke. It will be better if you do an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) brain plain of your mother-in-law. We can give the medication that helps her, but it will be incurable. Medications will help her to slow down the progress of dementia, but it will happen in the future. We can give symptomatic medications. I suggest you can give her the tablet Donep-M (Donepezil 5 mg and Memantine 5 mg) daily in the morning. If she has behavioral disturbance, suspiciousness, or sleep disturbance, then I would suggest the tablet Risperidone 0.5 mg at night. She needs urgent attention. Otherwise, it may harm her. I suggest the following investigations be done:

CBC (complete blood count).
Thyroid profile.
Vitamin B12.
Vitamin D3.
MRI brain plain.
RBS (random blood sugar), if not done, to rule out diabetes.

I hope that you get my point.

Please let me know if you want some help.

Regards.