What conditions can be mistaken for dementia? While we have mentioned the most common conditions that can mimic dementia, there are still others out there. Other hormone-related conditions that can cause dementia-like symptoms include hypopituitarism (underactive pituitary gland), porphyria (lack of haem, an iron-containing compound), and Cushings syndrome (too much cortisol hormones). Home care offers support and respite for families caring for a loved one with dementia at home. difficulties walking or moving around. Just because your TSH test comes back normal, dont assume your thyroid is fine without additional tests! After all, dementia has no cure. Reversible dementias. Flavoring water with fruit like lemon, or using smaller, less daunting glasses, might help. With this procedure, dementia can be controlled or reversed. Decreased appetite. By Luisa Coln. constipation (not pooing) or urinary retention (not peeing) dehydration. Mild TBI symptoms are usually temporary and disappear within a few hours, days, or weeks. Known as normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), it has similar symptoms of dementia. It's often caused by a sudden illness or infection. Whereas delirium is considered an acute confusional state that comes and goes, often starting just a few days or weeks ago. 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. 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. [Updated 2021 Aug 11]. Often, these include memory loss, where they forget something that was said recently. Mike is originally from Pennsylvania, but has fallen in love with mountain life and now resides in the picturesque mountains of Utah. One of them is black mold. 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. Your email address will not be published. Vitamin B12 deficiency: An important reversible co-morbidity in neuropsychiatric manifestations. Instead, its a general term that comprises brain disorders marked by cognitive impairment. [ 2] Who hasnt lost a train of thought every once in a while? Older adults who have hypothyroidism will have deficits in memory, intelligence, visual perception and even motor skills such as walking. Hypothyroidism means the thyroid gland is not producing enough active thyroid hormones, either T3 or T4. 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. In order to ensure a proper diagnosis, your loved ones doctor will likely conduct diagnostic tests and perform a physical examination. 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. However, unlike dementia, delirium is often reversible. confusion (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). If someone doesn't get enough of either of these vitamins, they can have symptoms that could be mistaken for dementia. Cognitive Vitality. We use cookies to optimize our website and our service. Is delirium mistaken for dementia? The candida in the gut actually lives off of sugar and starches, fermenting it to produce energy. Doubly challenging is that older individuals are more likely to catch these infections. Whereas delirium is considered an acute confusional state that comes and goes, often starting just a few days or weeks ago. I just need a few things to get you going. Researchers have found that more than 18% of dementias are reversible in the younger group but only 5% in the older population. Hydrocephalus literally means water on the brain. Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) is a condition caused by buildup of fluid typically found in the spinal cord and brain (cerebrospinal fluid) in the brains ventricles. Lovering, N. & Wade, Danielle. Doctors often diagnose dementia as a generalized disorder that affects the brain causing memory loss, confusion, personality changes, and even physical manifestations. This fungal infection can also lead to the formation of abnormal structures in the brain, very similar to that of Alzheimers disease. Getting systemic infections like UTIs under control can help prevent dementia-like symptoms. Indeed, several things can look like dementia. 1. 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. The speed of deterioration differs between individuals. 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 . Several other health conditions have symptoms that mimic dementia, and if treated, those symptoms can be dealt with. 31(2), 71-78. Urinary incontinence Its a disorder caused by complex brain changes. E. All of the above Most seasonal allergies occur in the spring, summer and fall, but with the warming climate, many seasonal allergies have been extended into longer periods. In these cases of dementia, it is possible to improve memory outcomes by treating . The most common forms of dementiaAlzheimers disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Lewy body dementiaare irreversible and caused by changes in the brain. 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 symptoms include psychosis, disorientation, memory loss, and confusion. (2021, November 8). The cognitive symptoms of the brain disorder, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or NPH, is linked to excess cerebrospinal fluid the accumulates in the brain's ventricles, which are fluid-filled chambers. January 26, 2022Mental Health, Senior HealthWritten by:Amanda Cheong, M.D. Delirium is also sometimes known as potentially reversible dementia-- which isnt dementia but try saying reversible conditions that mimic dementia a couple of times. All of these factors may affect their cognitive function, resulting in a potential dementia diagnosis or, in the best case scenario, a reversible form of dementia. Tripathi, M. & Vibha, D. (2009, January). even if the test for celiac disease is negative. Infections that are left untreated can spread to the kidneys and beyond, and can be life-threatening. This fermentation process produces chemical byproducts, alcohol and acetaldehyde, which are actually toxic to the body. Other times they might not notice it. Mills, B. Celiac disease or IBD. Strong odor to the urine. 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. Normal pressure hydrocephalus is a condition in which an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid occurs in the brains cavities. 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. Is it something Im taking? Medications that can mimic dementia. Most Common Reversible Dementia Causes. Early diagnosis and proper treatment of these diseases can help prevent dementia-like symptoms from worsening and, in some cases, reverse the symptoms altogether. [8], 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. What is a reversible condition? Pharmaceutical medications include Nystatin which is more gentle to the system, or fluconazole (Diflucan). People with dementia are at a higher risk of having delirium. AND IS VERY INTERESTING, AND I M SO HAPPY I READ IT, AND CAN USE THE INFORMATION. Brain imaging scans can also help diagnosis. The question here is if depression is being mistaken for dementia. 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. Dementia: A person's level of alertness is typically not affected until the late stages of Alzheimer's, whereas memory is significantly affected throughout the disease. Dont be surprised when they request tests for sexually transmitted diseases-- as there is a number that can lay quiet for several years before spouting up neurologic symptoms. A new study, which appears in the journal Nature Communications, shows that this fungal infection can also enter the brain, causing inflammation and impairing memory, much like dementia. By: Cat Ebeling, RN, MSN-PHN,co-author of the best-sellers: The Fat Burning Kitchen,The Top 101 Foods that Fight Aging&The Diabetes Fix. 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. After all, dementia has no cure. In the later stages of the disease, people with dementia may benefit from care at a memory care community. All of this leads to brain fog and confusion. At worst, they lose the ability to take care of themselves. These signs are similar to Alzheimers and other types of dementia. Depression can make a person LACK motivation and have problems with paying attention or feeling lethargic about . Some types of dementia are reversible Normal pressure hydrocephalus, caused by excess cerebrospinal fluid, can be helped by surgical intervention. Thyroid dysfunction is often associated with cognitive impairment and dementia, including Alzheimers disease. 6 Potentially Reversible Conditions That Can Mimic Dementia by Carol Bradley Bursack Writer June 30, 2016 When dementia symptoms appear it's natural to fear that the person affected has an. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Do you think your husband has early dementia? Many frequently prescribed medications have anticholinergic properties or properties that block the effect of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger important for muscle control, learning, memory, and attention. Can dementia be cured? The good news is that once a mold toxicity diagnosis is made, this can be a very treatable and reversible condition. The Mayo Clinic lists similar symptoms between Alzheimer's disease and . We all have days like that. Current Opinion in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Obesity. 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. 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. That's because anticholinergic drugsblock brain chemicals used for learning, memory, and muscle functions. Other symptoms of a vitamin deficiency include diarrhea, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and impaired vision. Dementia Dementia is a general term that represents a group of diseases and illnesses that affect your thinking, memory, reasoning, personality, mood and behavior. The search for treatable conditions may be stopped too early. Strict avoidance of wheat and other gluten-containing grains is the main treatment for celiac disease. Other conditions that can be mistaken for dementia include: delirium, idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INHP), hearing or degenerative disorders, and Parkinson's disease. Other times they might not notice it. He has over a decade of online writing and research experience. 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. Ellison, J. M. (2021, July 6). Luckily, a balanced diet and vitamin supplements can help prevent vitamin B12 deficiency. Get an easy-to-understand breakdown of services and fees. Dementia is caused by progressive damage to brain cells. 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 is the most common reversible cause of dementia symptoms quizlet? Dementia leads to the death of brain cells (neurons) and loss of brain tissue throughout the brain. There are several physical illnesses, like infections and vitamin deficiencies, that can mimic the symptoms of dementia. 116(8), 895-906. Medical conditions, disorders, and medication side effects can often cause impairments in memory that can sometimes be misdiagnosed as dementia. Is dementia completely reversible? If caught early enough, B vitamin deficiencies can be reversible, and the proper B vitamin supplements can even slow down the onset of Alzheimers or other forms of dementia. As POA for my dad, I have a huge decision: Surgery or pain management?