Some types of drugs such as opioids for pain; benzodiazepines for anxiety or stress; antimuscarinics for urinary incontinence; and muscle relaxers for muscle tightness could cause memory loss and side effects that could be mistake for Alzheimer's disease. The gradual progression of hypothyroidism can make it hard to distinguish from primary dementia. Fatigue [5], Infections are a bit tricky in the elderly. The speed of deterioration differs between individuals. However, other subtle symptoms of gluten sensitivity include headaches, skin rashes, skin breakouts, brain fog, depression, anxiety, ADHD and even anemia, even if the test for celiac disease is negative. The symptoms include psychosis, disorientation, memory loss, and confusion. Will All Dementia-Like Symptoms Go Away When The Condition Is Treated? At worst, they lose the ability to take care of themselves. My mom had embolectomy with general anesthesia. Reversible dementias Altered mental status generally refers to the change in cognition or level of consciousness, as we have mentioned earlier. Among the different infections, 55% had pneumonia and 27% had urinary tract infections. Its a disorder caused by complex brain changes. Both are important for a healthy nervous system. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Alcohol To prevent dehydration, older adults should aim to get at least 48 ounces of caffeine-free fluids (six 8-ounce glasses) a day. Earlier, we mentioned that doctors might take a patients thyroid hormone levels when evaluating dementia. What's especially frightening about the new case report is that the . Since a vitamin B-12 deficiency can promote memory loss, it is often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's disease. reversible as the cognitive impairment can be remedied by supporting the clearance of ammonia. After assessing what they Senior Living Tips For Moving To A New Community. Not to be confused with hepatic encephalopathy, which is impaired brain function due to an alcohol-damaged liver--- too damaged to process the ammonia that a normal persons body can go through. ALL OF THE INFORMATION IS VERY INFORMATIVE FOR ME AS A SENIOR, THAT I DID NOT KNOW. Strict avoidance of wheat and other gluten-containing grains is the main treatment for celiac disease. Thousands of Canadians who have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and dementia may actually have a rare "impostor" syndrome that can be reversed with surgery, and a new clinic in . Seniors facing retirement and health crises often seek new housing in senior retirement communities or assisted living facilities as their situation and health needs change. Medication Class. E. All of the above Older adults who have hypothyroidism will have deficits in memory, intelligence, visual perception and even motor skills such as walking. Wernicke's encephalopathy is a health condition encountered in patients who lack a certain substance called thiamine. Delirium. Some of these symptoms include balance problems, fatigue, and impaired thinking and reasoning. Poor . The connection between celiac disease and mental deterioration is not fully known but it could be a combination of several factors. Types of Reversible Dementia. Conditions other than PD may have one or more of these symptoms, mimicking Parkinson's. Listed below are the more . 27(1), 26-29. If left untreated, the bacteria can also move to the kidneys and cause a kidney infection, which becomes even more serious. Delirium is a change in mental state that develops quickly and can become very serious. The condition has been linked to subtle decline in memory and executive function. The B-vitamins, including vitamins B12, B6, B1, B2, niacin (B3) and folate (B9), have been implicated as protective risk factors against cognitive decline and Alzheimers disease. Cognitive symptoms of hypothyroidism can include a decline in the following[11]: Treatment: Medications used to treat hypothyroidism, such as levothyroxine, can clear up memory impairments associated with the condition.[12]. Symptoms associated with dementia may include memory loss, confusion, and disorientation, according to the Mayo Clinic. It could be an early sign of Alzheimer'sor it could lead to a misdiagnosis. Hypothyroidism often occurs in middle age or elderly people with more females than males affected (about 1 male to every 5 females). Cloudy or even pink or brown colored urine confusion Lovering, N. & Wade, Danielle. I use Natur-Throid along with Lugols Iodine. AgingCare.com connects families who are caring for aging parents, spouses, or other elderly loved ones with the information and support they need to make informed caregiving decisions. For years my thyroid test (TSH) came back normal. I'm a senior care specialist trained to match you with the care option that is best for you. Cognitive performance and dehydration. Mills, B. 51(1), 52-55. Dementia and Alzheimers disease are words that strike fear into many of us. When left untreated, it can infect the bladder and the kidney. My 81-year-old mom has dementia and is narcissistic. Your email address will not be published. Sources: Whats causing your memory loss? However, for some people the decline can . Hi! Most people with NPH are diagnosed after age 60. Other conditions that may cause dementia-like symptoms include thyroid disease, diabetes, hypoglycemia, Lyme disease, heart and lung disease, and respiratory infections. It can be caused by the weakening of veins, which may disrupt the flow of CSF, and the swelling of white matter, which affects blood flow to certain brain areas. Inflammation from environmental allergies like dust, mold and pollen, can create brain fog, which over time can cause chronic forgetfulness, memory issues, and slowed responses, leading to dementia. It may come as a surprise that there's a type of dementia that may be reversible. Conditions that can mimic dementia: Symptoms and treatment, How to help a loved one experiencing dementia symptoms, Tolterodineused to treat urinary incontinence, Antipsychoticsused to manage psychosis, especially schizophrenia, Cardiovascular medicationsused to manage heart and blood vessel function, Antispasmodicsused to relieve cramps, muscle spasms, and irritable bowel syndrome, Benzodiazepinesused to treat anxiety or insomnia, Corticosteroidsused to treat inflammation, Inability to concentrate or pay attention, VA Aid and Attendance Benefits for Senior Living, Delirium is commonly mistaken for dementia, The decreasing prevalence of reversible dementias, Is it something Im taking? Medications that can mimic dementia, The cognitive impact of anticholinergics: A clinical review. Medications with significant anticholinergic properties include: Dementia symptoms related to anticholinergic medicationscan include [05]: Treatment: Drug-induced dementia is usually reversible with the discontinuation of the offending drug or alteration of the patients current medications. Cognition-specific symptoms of these infections can include the following[09]: Treatment: Symptoms will usually clear up when the infection is treated and health is restored. In a 2017 study, in 3 months, 60 elderly patients were hospitalized for delirium with infection as the cause. Frontotemporal dementia is an umbrella term for a family of disorders that all have the same underlying pathologiesthat is, they all have this same family of abnormal proteins that you can see . Toxic mold actually gives off volatile toxic vapors that float around in the air causing a chronic inflammatory response. Randell Suba is a former Physiotherapist who returned to his first love, writing. A vitamin deficiency can cause issues such as behavioral changes, depression, and poor recollection. Additionally, delirium causes brain fog and fluctuations between drowsiness and alertness, whereas dementia doesnt affect consciousness. Lastly, the doctor might request for laboratory tests to be done. difficulty following a conversation What is a reversible form of dementia? Other times they might not notice it. Cardiovascular Drugs If youre caring for a loved one with dementia at home, consider exploring AgingCares online support group for caregivers for helpful tips and advice. In the literature, the most frequently observed potentially reversible conditions identified in patients with cognitive impairment or dementia are depression, adverse effects of drugs, drug or alcohol abuse, space-occupying lesions, normal pressure hydrocephalus, and metabolic conditions land endocrinal conditions like . These include: Memory loss. Some of the natural solutions to candida overgrowth include oregano extract capsules, pau darco tea or capsules, grapefruit seed extract, caprylic acid, curcumin, kombucha tea, probiotics and garlic extract. Family history, poor heart health, and having a head injury can also increase ones likelihood. BrightFocus Foundation. [04]Acetylcholine naturally decreases during the aging process, so anticholinergic medications are especially dangerous for an elderly persons cognitive health. She did a saliva test along with a more extensive blood test for Free & Thyroid antibodies. Dementia in your family. TBI symptoms typically appear at the time of injury, or soon after, but in some cases, they may not develop for days or weeks. TBIs may cause dementia-like symptoms that can include the following[10]: Treatment: Specialized hospital care and inpatient rehabilitation can typically reverse dementia induced by TBI. However, a combined approach using medicine, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments can help treat symptoms, resulting in the reversal of depression-induced dementia. There are many other reasons why you may be experiencing cognitive problems, including stress, depression, and even vitamin deficiencies. With depression, however, it is possible to reverse the condition through regular exercise, medication, stress-reduction techniques like prayer, yoga, and medication, as well as cognitive therapy. Anti-cholinergic drugs include some antihistamines like Benadryl, tricyclic antidepressants, medications to control overactive bladder, and drugs to relieve the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency could include the following: Treatment: Dementia-like symptoms are likely to go away when vitamin B12 levels return to normal with a healthy diet or supplementation. Hypothyroidism (low thyroid) is a significant cause of reversible cognitive impairment. Dementia or delirium can also result from alcohol or drug abuse, so you need to inform the healthcare practitioner if your loved one has a history of drug or alcohol problems, including abuse of over-the-counter medications or prescription drugs. Age, general health and the underlying disease causing brain damage will all affect the pattern of progression. Illnesses including diabetes, Down syndrome, multiple sclerosis, heart disease . most common potentially reversible dementia-like condition, Difficulty speaking and understanding thoughts, Inability to perform activities of daily living, Serologic tests for syphilis (or similar). Researchers have found that more than 18% of dementias are reversible in the younger group but only 5% in the older population. Sometimes its hard for them to communicate that theres something wrong. This causes a slowed metabolism, fatigue, and weight gain. Growing older, losing our ability to remember, think, reason, speak, or care for ourselves is not the way we want to view our own aging or that of our loved ones. This is something best discussed with your healthcare practitioner. (2021, June 16). (2020, July 9). "It's amazing what a liter of IV fluid can do," Hashmi adds. Niacin (B3) deficiency is a known cause of pellagra, a disease characterized by symptoms of dementia, diarrhea, and dermatitis that can be resolved through niacin supplementation. In order to reverse these dementia-like symptoms, its important to train your body to have natural, healthy sleep patterns. Thyroid dysfunction has been implicated as a cause of reversible cognitive impairment and as such, the thyroid stimulating hormone has long been part of the screening laboratory test for dementia. The most common forms of dementiaAlzheimers disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementiaare irreversible and caused by changes in the brain. Get an easy-to-understand breakdown of services and fees. Thyroid dysfunction is often associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimers disease. One of the most important things to note is that many health conditions can create similar symptoms to dementia. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) may follow a fall, sports injury, or motor vehicle accident, and theyve been linked with dementia due to their direct impact on the brain. Thiamine is also a B vitamin and is found in whole-grain foods, some breakfast cereals, beans and peas, nuts and seeds. Luckily, a balanced diet and vitamin supplements can help prevent vitamin B12 deficiency. To alleviate and even reverse symptoms, make sure your loved one receives professional vision and hearing tests. Medical conditions, disorders, and medication side effects can often cause impairments in memory that can sometimes be misdiagnosed as dementia. It hits you like a speeding truck hanging on worn brakes. However, not everyone who has depression will develop dementia, and vice versa. Dementia Dementia is a general term that represents a group of diseases and illnesses that affect your thinking, memory, reasoning, personality, mood and behavior. Irreversible dementia syndrome. Sometimes, they may have problems doing things they used to do, such as getting dressed for a party or preparing their food. Emmady PD, Tadi P. Dementia. General hypothyroidism can be tested by a simple TSH test, but this should not be the only test performed. . Problems with thinking clearly, loss of memory, brain fog Early diagnosis and treatment for these conditions may help alleviate and potentially even reverse your loved ones cognitive symptoms. I finally got into a Nurse Practitioner who worked for a D.O at a holistic type of clinic.
