DIAGNOSIS CHECKLIST
for Forgetfulness

Why: to determine if acute or chronic. If acute in nature must consider delirium as possible cause of confusion. Delirium is an acute confusional state due to many causes e.g. infection, drug intoxication, alcohol withdrawal, liver failure, kidney failure, hypoxia, low blood sugar, stroke, heart attack or head injury.

Why: e.g. tiredness, pregnancy, being a new mother, general anxiety, grieving.

Why: memory and concentration ability does gradually reduce with age. Age- associated memory impairment (AAMI) is the normal forgetfulness of aging.

Why: e.g. if symptoms are worse in the late afternoon and at night delirium ( acute confusional state) is most likely.

Why: patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis e.g. stroke; depression or AIDS notice their confusion whereas patients with Alzheimer's disease are unaware of their confusion.

Why: may suggest subdural haematoma, extradural haematoma, concussion or posttraumatic epilepsy.

Why: certain medications may cause intoxication e.g. anticonvulsants, anticholinergics, anti-anxiety medications, opiates; or may cause forgetfulness or confusion on drug withdrawal. Medications that may cause forgetfulness as a side effect include tranquilisers, hypnotics, benzodiazepines, sedatives and anxiolytics.

Why: e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, family history - can assess risk of multi-infarct dementia.

Why: e.g. Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, depression, pernicious anemia, lupus erythematosus, migraine.

Why: to assess chance of alcohol withdrawal, alcohol abuse, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, subdural or extradural haematoma due to head injury.

Why: some illicit drugs may cause memory loss e.g. amphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, LSD, PCP. Marijuana use may cause short-term memory loss problems for several weeks.

Why: may determine risk of HIV and syphilis infection which may cause cognitive impairment with memory loss.

Why: e.g. carbon monoxide, chronic barbiturate intoxication, heavy metals such as lead, mercury and manganese. Certain shellfish poisoning may cause permanent short-term memory loss.

Why: e.g. impaired memory, impaired judgement and thinking, impaired verbal fluency and impaired ability to perform complex tasks. Personality may change, impulse control may be lost and personal care deteriorates.

Why: Depression may exhibit many of the features of an early dementia, especially memory impairment, slowed thinking and lack of spontaneity.

Why: can suggest any infection that may cause delirium or meningitis, encephalitis, brain abscess or brain hemorrhage.

Why: e.g. limb weakness or paralysis, facial muscle weakness or paralysis, difficulty with speech and swallow.

Why: may suggest migraine, brain cancer or acute stroke.