Resolved question:
my 86 year old mother recently spent 4 weeks in a general hospital after having treatment for purforation of the bowel.. she did NOT require surgery,, just intra venus drips and NO solid food as to ease the bowel.. the treatment was successful and she is now recovering in a community hospital.. the only issue now is she has slight memory loss.. only of recent events, she can remember other issues but other things she just completely forgets. taking into consideration her memory was very sharp prior to her illness and admittance 2 hospital.. what should I do
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Neurologist, Medical
Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com
I have noted your mother's symptoms and they are suggestive of mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.
It can be due to the trauma she was subjected too, due to her bowel perforation and in that case it is reversible.
Since this is of very short duration, we should look for treatable or other reversible causes. This would include doing a CT scan of the brain to exclude an infarct (small area of reduced blood supply). In addition, blood tests should be done to look for vitamin B12 deficiency and thyroid disorders.
I hope it helps.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
if I were to take my mother out for an hour or so to our home from the community hospital would it help to jog her memory in certain issues or would that be impossible to do doctor..I was told by nurses/doctors that this slight memory loss was due to her lenghty stay in hospital and that she may have a kidney infection.. if this is so, how could a kidney infection make her have slight memory loss..
Thank you for getting back.
Taking her home for an hour may not help much, but would be good for her alertness and memory.
Yes, it is possible that prolonged hospital stay has contributed to her memory loss, as there is no stimulation to her brain because of reduced physical and mental activity while at hospital.
Kidney infection or any significant systemic infection contributes to memory loss in an elderly as infection affects brain too, however, this memory loss is temporary and it improves once the infection settles down.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
As this condition happened in the 3rd week of August, would it be much 2 early to diagnose for dementia. her memory loss is short term. vitamin B12 is the vitamin for her condition. Am I right?
Thank you for getting back.
Yes, I agree with you. We should not confirm a diagnosis of dementia too early. She needs good observation and follow up. Only if her memory and other brain functions continue to deteriorate over a period of more than six months, we should consider dementia.
Vitamin B12 is the vitamin for her condition.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sudhir Kumar MD (Medicine), DM (Neurology)
Senior Consultant Neurologist
I Am in the Republic Of Ireland. would I get vitamin B12 in a pharmacy store here in Rep Of Ireland
Yes you will get Vitamin B12 either in the form of tablets or injection in any part of the world.
Wish your mother a speedy recovery!
Regards.