Memory Loss and Dementia

There are a number of reasons someone may be experiencing memory loss.

Most commonly, memory loss is associated with growing older, but it can also happen because of disease, a head injury, or other reasons.

It can also range from mild cases to more extreme cases which affect day-to-day life.

It is important to have memory loss evaluated by a professional, as some causes are potentially reversible, and others have medications that can help.

Because there are so many reasons it can occur, our memory loss specialists at the University of Maryland evaluate each patient individually, getting to know who you were before your memory loss so we know how much you've been affected and how to help you best.

To make an appointment or to learn more about our program, call 410-328-4323.

Types of Memory Loss

The most common type of memory loss is dementia, an overarching term for when someone's ability to do day-to-day tasks becomes worse.

Aging

As we grow older, our memory can become less sharp. That can range from forgetting a person's name, or misplacing an item in the house.

This type of memory loss doesn't affect your life or your ability to live independently.

Dementia

Dementia is a broad term for changes in the brain which affect the way we think, including our memory.

It usually progresses slowly over time, and can eventually prevent a person from doing normal tasks, remembering family members and loved ones, and can affect how a person interacts socially.

Symptoms of dementia include:

• Increased confusion
• Memory loss
• Personality changes
• Using words incorrectly

Types of dementia include:

• Alzheimer's disease - the most common form of dementia
• Vascular dementia
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Lewy body dementia

Treating Memory Loss

Treatment is very personalized because each person can have different reasons for memory loss.

If it is a side effect of medication, we may suggest changing medications or using nutritional supplements.

Patients who had memory loss after a stroke may see improvement through therapy.

For those with dementia, we may prescribe medication to help with symptoms, depending on the type of dementia you have.

Part of our approach to treatment is understanding each person's baseline - what were they like before symptoms started? We'll work with you and your loved ones to develop the best plan for your symptoms to get you closer to your baseline.

Make an Appointment

To make an appointment with one of our memory loss specialists or to learn more about our program, call 410-328-4323.