One of the most important things to note is that many health conditions can create similar symptoms to dementia. Some of these symptoms include balance problems, fatigue, and impaired thinking and reasoning. Symptoms usually disappear after treatment of the original medical condition, coining the termreversible dementia. B vitamin deficiencies, especially B12, often manifest in brain function problems, or nerve dysfunction, such as numbness and tingling in feet and hands. Sores in mouth or on tongue Caregivers can attest that the decline in their thinking, remembering, reasoning, and communication skills is so significant that it interferes with their daily affairs. The most common causes of reversible dementia are depression, delirium, and drug toxicity. As people age, the ability to absorb B12 declines. Delirium is also sometimes known as potentially reversible dementia-- which isnt dementia but try saying reversible conditions that mimic dementia a couple of times. Narcotics Additionally, there are cases when a patient has both depression and dementia, but the former tends to appear first before the latter develops. Major depressive disorder the chronic feeling of intense sadness is the most common potentially reversible dementia-like condition. This fermentation process produces chemical byproducts, alcohol and acetaldehyde, which are actually toxic to the body. 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 . Clinical Interventions in Aging. Samuels, M. H. (2015, October 1). 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. There are various conditions, diseases, injuries, and infections that can cause seniors to experience dementia-like symptoms, including confusion, memory loss, and difficulty concentrating. Depression and dementia are both common in later years, and each can lead to the other, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Mike Geary has been a Certified Nutrition Specialist and Certified Personal Trainer for over 15 years now. A Place for Mom is paid by our participating communities, therefore our service is offered at no charge to families. Additionally, delirium causes brain fog and fluctuations between drowsiness and alertness, whereas dementia doesnt affect consciousness. . Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. Leading a healthy lifestyle with a memory-supporting diet may be able to partially restore their mental functioning in the long term and help prevent dementia development. Here are 10 potentially reversible causes of dementia symptoms . Lastly, the doctor might request for laboratory tests to be done. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Most cases of dementia are not reversible, but there are treatment options that may slow progression. Brand Name. If necessary, a doctor may be able to reduce, replace, or eliminate certain medications in order to help reverse dementia-like symptoms. 31(2), 71-78. Dementia, on the other hand, isnt a specific disease. It's estimated that about 50% of people age 85 and older have dementia. There are many forms of dementia, including Alzheimers disease. Lab work is vital for anyone showing these symptoms, especially an aging person. The same thing goes with environmental allergies. Wernicke encephalopathy, which is also characterized by confusion and altered mental status, may look like dementia. The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute medical, legal, or financial advice or to create a professional relationship between AgingCare and the reader. The good news is that candida overgrowth can be eliminated by a variety of medications, both natural and pharmaceutical. Pharmaceutical medications include Nystatin which is more gentle to the system, or fluconazole (Diflucan). In a 2017 study, in 3 months, 60 elderly patients were hospitalized for delirium with infection as the cause. 6 Conditions that Mimic Dementia - HealthCentral Excessive use of alcohol can also result in another form of B vitamin-related dementia, called Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome, which is caused by severe, long term deficiencies of the B vitamin thiamine. There are three common causes of altered mental status-- all of which are easy to remember since they start with the letter D: Dementia, Delirium, and Depression. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. They may leave their glasses or dentures in strange places like the fridge. Staying tuned in to your health and that of your loved ones will help you be aware of any of these reversible conditions, so that you can stop the damage and restore brain health to live a long, healthy and happy life. Medications are also common culprits in mental decline and dementia. What Are the Most Misdiagnosed Conditions in Older Adults? - Next Avenue By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN,co-author of the best-sellers: The Fat Burning Kitchen,The Top 101 Foods , I am sorry that you did not mention Fibromyalgia myalgia in you list of possible causes of dementia It is well known that fibromyalgia causes a condition known as fibrofogwhere you cant remember names or cant think of a subject that is under under discussion ,etc. Celiac disease or IBD. Dementia: Symptoms, Types, Causes, Treatment & Risk Factors Some medications have even been linked to cognitive decline. The former is a condition where the thyroid gland produces low levels of thyroid hormones, while the latter shows excessive thyroid hormone levels. Yeast overgrowth in the gut can result from a diet high in carbohydrates, sugars, processed foods and gluten. Damages nerve cells in a similar way to chronic alcoholism or Alzheimers. Another problem with gluten is overall increase in inflammation in the body, which can trigger dementia and brain fog. BrightFocus Foundation. A study showed that out of 340 patients seen in a Behavioral Neurology Outpatient Unit, around 20% of the cases were found to have reversible causes. At the age of 40, Mike now feels healthier, stronger, and more energetic than when he was 20 All because of a healthy lifestyle and great nutrition! That's why it is important to report changes in your thinking skills . Depression symptoms that mimic dementia can include the following[03]: Treatment: Because depression involves ones emotional and physical health, there isnt one simple fix for it. A well-known neurologist from Mayo Clinic, Keith Josephs, MD made the connection between gluten and dementia when he examined a patient suspected of having a type of dementia called Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. She focuses on life enrichment opportunities and memory care. It could be an early sign of Alzheimer'sor it could lead to a misdiagnosis. Do you think your husband has early dementia? If youve ever forgotten where you parked your car, lost your keys in your own house, or walked into a room and forgot why you went there, you are not alone. While this is often found in alcoholics, this disease is due to a vitamin deficiency compared to the toxic effects of alcohol itself and, thus, reversible. He has been studying nutrition and exercise for almost 25 years, ever since being a young teenager. They will happily offer advice and provide options based on your loved ones individual needs and preferences. Prevalence of potentially reversible dementias in a dementia outpatient clinic of a tertiary university-affiliated hospital in Brasil. Cognitive performance and dehydration. As stated, some antidepressants can also cause signs similar to dementia. difficulty speaking and communicating If your loved one has been showing dementia-like symptoms, schedule an appointment with their doctor. This causes a slowed metabolism, fatigue, and weight gain. So, a doctor may call a celiac test negative for celiac disease even in the presence of bad reactions to other wheat proteins or transglutaminases. The condition has been linked to subtle decline in memory and executive function. This Common Condition Can Easily Be Mistaken for Dementia, Experts Say Conditions that involve cognitive decline, such as Alzheimer'sa progressive disease that is the most common cause. A doctor can then identify the cause by evaluating or ordering the following: Once the cause is identified, doctors may alter your loved ones medications, suggest therapy, or recommend routine changes to help clear up their dementia symptoms. Commonly prescribed medications may cause symptoms that mimic dementia. When in doubt, it may be worth seeing if this is an infection in hiding. Adan, A., (2013, June 6). January 26, 2022Mental Health, Senior HealthWritten by:Amanda Cheong, M.D. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland is not producing enough active thyroid hormones, either T3 or T4. This issort ofreversible as the cognitive impairment can be remedied by supporting the clearance of ammonia. I can help you compare costs & services for FREE! Researchers have found that more than 18% of dementias are reversible in the younger group but only 5% in the older population. The decreasing prevalence of reversible dementias. Unable to complete simple tasks they could do before Other symptoms include fatigue, joint pain, weakness, clumsiness, headache, blurred vision, memory problems, confusion, disorientation, mood swings, slurring of words and dizziness. (2020, May 18). Medicina. forms of dementia, such as Alzheimer's disease, but is potentially reversible . What other conditions can be mistaken for dementia? However, these signs and symptoms dont always result in a permanent dementia diagnosis. 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. What quiet "do it himself" activities are suitable and interesting for an older man with vascular dementia? They can manifest as memory loss, general sluggishness, a flitting attention span, and depressed or apathetic mood.[6]. Reversible dementias. 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. Its important to note that an actual dementia diagnosis cannot be reversed, even when it coincides with a reversible condition with dementia-like symptoms. Whereas delirium is considered an acute confusional state that comes and goes, often starting just a few days or weeks ago. New clinic treats patients with reversible condition often mistaken for Among the different infections, 55% had pneumonia and 27% had urinary tract infections. When allergy season strikes, there are healthy alternatives to allergy medications. Even today, there is no known cure for Alzheimers and other types of dementia. If your loved one has reversible dementia-like conditions, the symptoms can go away, or at least be stabilized, once the cause is determined and addressed. Symptoms of normal pressure hydrocephalus can include the following[14]: Treatment: The treatment of normal pressure hydrocephalus involves surgical placement of a hollow tube in the brain to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid into the abdomen where it can be absorbed as a part of the normal circulatory process. While this patient did not have CJD, they did have celiac disease with dementia as a result. Keep in mind it may sometimes take 6 months or more for the body to fully recover from the inflammation and chronic reactions from gluten. Inflammation is one of the triggers that helps push people towards Alzheimers disease and dementia. Clarfield, A. M. (2003, October 13). Anti-cholinergic drugs include some antihistamines like Benadryl, tricyclic antidepressants, medications to control overactive bladder, and drugs to relieve the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. The search for treatable conditions may be stopped too early. About 700,000 Americans suffer from this hard-to-diagnose condition because it resembles other brain diseases. Ellison, J. M. (2021, July 15). dementia is a group of symptoms that may occur with certain diseases or conditions. The speed of deterioration differs between individuals. 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. A standardized blood test can check for this immune response and is diagnosed in a small percentage of people. Reversible causes of dementia - identifying seven possibilities When the bodys immune function is low, candida (see below) and other opportunistic organisms will grow out of hand. 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. Other times they might not notice it. However, the reality is that the lines blur when we discuss persistent delirium or reversible dementia and one may be mistaken for the other. In some cases, a CT scan might even be done. Reversible Conditions That Could Be Mistaken For Dementia - HealthCreeds Other natural treatments include taking probiotics such as Saccromyces Boulardi, and anti-fungals such as oregano oil, grapefruit seed extract or nystatin. Reversible conditions that can lead to dementia-like symptoms include: Reactions to medications: These are especially common in the elderly, as the more medications one takes, the more likely it is that there will be negative interactions that could cause dementia. We are the most comprehensive resource for seniors and their families. What reversible condition could be mistaken for dementia? Low thyroid also causes low levels of essential brain chemicals such as dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline, which have been associated with poor brain health and issues such as dementia, depression, and even Parkinsons disease. Delirium. They may have problems focusing, holding, and . Try essential oils instead to relieve symptoms naturallywithout the unhealthy side effects. Ellison, J. M. (2021, July 6). However, in more severe cases, the symptoms may last months or longer. She holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. (2021, June 16). Dr. Amanda Cheong spent her formative medical years within the walls of the Philippine General Hospital, a high-volume tertiary institution built to serve the underserved. [02] During a major depressive episode, the condition can cause rapidly progressive dementia. And for these tests, its best not to coach them so the healthcare provider can get a clear picture of how things are. Depending on their location, brain tumors can affect cognitive function and cause confusion, memory loss, and changes in personality. While this is often found in alcoholics, this disease is due to a vitamin deficiency compared to the toxic effects of alcohol itself and, thus, reversible. Learn . It is likely that some cases of chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, histamine intolerance, irritable bowel, leaky gut, multiple sclerosis and even Lyme syndrome, can be caused or exacerbated from a chronic inflammatory response caused by toxic mold. If youre caring for a loved one with dementia at home, consider exploring AgingCares online support group for caregivers for helpful tips and advice. You might find them in the middle of a task, having forgotten what they were doing just then. If your loved one is taking any of these medications, talk to their doctor to learn if their prescription regimen may be the cause of their memory problems. Caregivers, family members and loved ones can be alert to this condition and be sure anyone with sudden unusual behavior gets checked for a UTI. [2], Delirium is also sometimes known as potentially reversible dementia-- which isnt dementia but try saying reversible conditions that mimic dementia a couple of times. They are more likely to have a urinary catheter which predisposes them to a urinary tract infection. Often, these include memory loss, where they forget something that was said recently. Dementia doesn't affect the level of consciousness. Difficulty concentrating Nirali Desai is a copywriter at A Place for Mom. Takada LT, Caramelli P, Radanovic M, et al. 7 . Benztropine, Tolterodine, Dicyclomine. By taking care of your health, and avoiding processed foods, sugar and starchy carbohydrates and excessive alcohol, you can lessen your chances of getting dementia. Intravenous fluids can often reverse cognitive problems caused by severe dehydration. Try cranberry juice. 1. Most seasonal allergies occur in the spring, summer and fall, but with the warming climate, many seasonal allergies have been extended into longer periods. AND IS VERY INTERESTING, AND I M SO HAPPY I READ IT, AND CAN USE THE INFORMATION. We all have days like that. Sleep problems can cause dementia-like symptoms such as trouble focusing, mental fatigue, confusion, and irritability. These include slowness (bradykinesia), stiffness (rigidity), and resting tremor. Other symptoms of a vitamin deficiency include diarrhea, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and impaired vision. It first affects the part of the brain responsible for learning; its why the earliest symptoms include difficulty recalling things and learning new information. (https://www.helpguide.org/harvard/whats-causing-your-memory-loss.htm)Lifestyle changes can help prevent dementia (https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/hsph-in-the-news/lifestyle-changes-can-help-prevent-dementia/)Is It Something Im Taking? Medications That Can Mimic Dementia (https://www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers/article/is-it-something-im-taking-medications-that-can-mimic-dementia)Vitamin B12 deficiency can be sneaky and harmful (https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/vitamin-b12-deficiency-can-be-sneaky-harmful-201301105780)Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimers (https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/medical_tests). Normal pressure hydrocephalus. Dementia in elderly: Irreversible and reversible causes of dementia Both are important for a healthy nervous system. Indian Journal of Psychiatry. These signs are similar to Alzheimers and other types of dementia. In fact, according to Harvard Health, there are more than 50 conditions that can cause or mimic the symptoms of dementia. Is this a sign of early dementia? When he asks about his mother and I tell him she has died he starts crying. You can try to read passages from the "Dementia Praecox . As we age, the liver becomes less efficient at metabolizing toxins and drugs, and the body has a harder time getting rid of these potentially harmful products. What conditions can be mistaken for dementia? A reversible condition which could be mistaken for dementia is? 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. In many cases if doctors can find what caused the delirium and treat the cause, then the dysfunction may be reversed. Head injuries, even ones that seem minor, can cause significant cognitive problems. How to find clinical trials for Alzheimer's? Infections that are left untreated can spread to the kidneys and beyond, and can be life-threatening. However, some medical conditions may cause cognitive decline, and treating those can reverse dementia-like symptoms. A TBI is diagnosed by health care professionals through an evaluation of how the injury happened and an examination of brain functions, reflexes, and senses. Hypothyroidism often occurs in middle age or elderly people with more females than males affected (about 1 male to every 5 females). The MOST COMMON form of dementia is A. Alzheimer's Disease B. Vascular Disease C. Parkinson's Disease D. Huntington's Disease E. Lewy Body Disease 3. Other dementia disorders are: Dementia is a common concern in geriatric care as aging is one of the risk factors for developing a brain disorder that falls under this umbrella term. This Common Condition Can Easily Be Mistaken for Dementia, Experts Say. What is a reversible condition which could be mistaken for dementia? Reversible Conditions That Mimic Dementia - AgingCare.com They think forgetfulness is the first sign of Alzheimer's disease. Many patients have recovered mental function when they followed gluten-free diets. The most common forms of dementiaAlzheimers disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementiaare irreversible and caused by changes in the brain. Alcohol-Induced Dementia: Decay Symptoms, Stages and Treatment Identifying Reversible Conditions Mistaken For Dementia Written by Randell S. in Health & Care, Alzheimers & Dementia Last Updated December 27, 2022 Dementia is often marked by depression, confusion, and memory loss. It's usually the reaction of the brain to a separate medical problem (or several medical problems at once). It hits you like a speeding truck hanging on worn brakes. Weakened immune system This causes a slowed metabolism, fatigue, and weight gain. Causes a deficiency in vitamin B1, which plays a critical role in brain function. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. In addition to memory loss and a decline in mental processes (similar to Alzheimer's), NPH typically can causes difficulty walking (like Parkinson's) and urinary incontinence. Dementia is a progressive condition, meaning that it gets worse over time. The gradual progression of hypothyroidism can make it hard to distinguish from primary dementia. But not all people with memory problems have Alzheimer's. Other causes for memory problems can include aging, medical conditions, emotional problems, mild cognitive impairment, or another type of dementia. However, the reality is that the lines blur when we discuss persistent delirium or reversible dementia and one may be mistaken for the other. If left untreated, this deficiency can cause severe neurological problems and blood diseases, according to Harvard Health. 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. Head trauma can even be life threatening, so its important to take aggressive steps to care for any head injury until dementia symptoms eventually dissipate.