DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My daughter urged me to go see a doctor about my memory loss. The doctor gave me a sample of Aricept to try. I have been fortunate in my life, having to take few medicines other than an occasional ibuprofen.

I would like to know the adverse effects of Aricept.

I am very active, play golf, walk three miles a day and will be 80 in two months. – I.O.

ANSWER: Older people live in torment over memory loss. They see it as a sign of Alzheimer’s disease. The fact is that the majority of people have a memory that will serve them in good stead for their entire life. Forgetfulness is more common in older ages, but it’s not forgetfulness that interferes with carrying on a normal life. Forgetfulness is common in younger ages too. Younger people don’t make such a deal of it.

Forgetting where you left your keys or where you put your glasses isn’t a sign of loss of mental functioning. This kind of memory loss is expected and normal.

Forgetting how to cook a meal or how to dress appropriately is a concern. Becoming lost in a familiar neighborhood, constant confusion about the day and date and the inability to find the right word to express oneself are indications that a true memory problem exists and that help is needed.

Prescribing medicines for dementia and memory loss without having performed a basic memory exam does no one a service. Aricept, one of the Alzheimer’s medicines, is a safe drug with few side effects, but taking unnecessary medicine is risky business. The fewer medicines people take, the better off they are. Aricept can cause nausea, diarrhea, loss of appetite, muscle cramps, a fall or rise in blood pressure, tremor and dizziness. These side effects happen infrequently, but I still want to make a point: Medicine should be taken only when there is solid evidence that it is needed and will do some good.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 50-year-old man. I had a testicle removed about a year ago. Since then I have lost all energy and am feeling depressed. Is this normal after a testicle is removed? My doctor doesn’t understand why I feel this way. I would like your opinion. – D.S.

ANSWER: It’s not normal, and your doctor might not understand because it wasn’t his testicle that was removed.

Many men view such an operation as signaling the loss of sexual potency and good health. One testicle usually provides men with all the male hormones they need to be sexually active. Your depression and energy loss could be psychological, and speaking with a mental health professional might get you out of the doldrums.

Or it could be that your testosterone level has dropped. It’s not difficult to check that through blood tests. If that proves to be the case, hormone replacement could be all you need to feel like yourself again

Why was the testicle removed? That could have a bearing on your current state of mind.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 78-year-old man. After a recent checkup, my doctor informed me that I have progressive renal insufficiency. Will you please explain this and what its treatment is? I am waiting to see a nephrologist. – G.B.

ANSWER: The kidneys clean the blood of all the waste products the body produces from the millions of chemical reactions that body cells perform daily.

I bet you don’t have any symptoms – fatigue, weakness or swelling. The problem was spotted because some of your kidney tests were not normal. Those tests tell how great the kidney “insufficiency” is. If it’s minimal, you might not need any treatment other than some dietary changes. Greater impairment calls for medicines.

Impairment to the point where the kidneys are not working or are working very poorly can involve dialysis or kidney transplantation.

The nephrologist (kidney specialist) will tell you how well or how badly your kidneys are performing.

DEAR DR. DONOHUE: My husband has been diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. He also had prostate cancer and was eating lots of potassium-rich foods until his kidney doctor told him to stop. We both thought potassium lowered blood pressure. He suffered a TIA, and we wonder if dropping his potassium caused that. – A.W.

ANSWER: Potassium counters the effect of sodium and can lower blood pressure. The reduction is significant, but not stupendous. Not taking potassium didn’t cause your husband’s TIA (a mini-stroke). Your husband should follow the kidney doctor’s advice. The benefits of potassium for him are outweighed by the danger too much potassium could do to him.

Dr. Donohue regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but he will incorporate them in his column whenever possible. Readers may write him or request an order form of available health newsletters at P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Readers may also order health newsletters from www.rbmamall.com

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