Forgetting Doesn't Mean Alzheimer's.
It is important to remember the diagnostic criteria,because sometimes people are wrongly labeled as having Dementia or Alzheimer's disease.
Forgetting something does not mean a person is developing any kind of dementia. There are many reasons for memory lapses and momentary confusion.
Anyone may forget something, especially when sick, stressed, mildly depressed, tired, distracted, or trying to remember too much. Alzheimer's disease, and dementia in general, are not a part of aging.
Reversible Causes of Dementia-like Symptoms.
HYPOTHERMIA - Low body terperature
.
HYPERTHERMIA - High body termerature
.
DEHYDRATION - Not enough fluid in the body
.
NUTRITIONAL DEFICITS - Inadequate diet
.
SENSORY PROBLEMS - Sight and hearing decline normally with age.Vision and hearing impairments can result in behaviors that are symptomatic of dementia by blocking or distorting the person's perception of environmental and interpersonal cues. Eyeglasses (prescription accuracy, fit, and cleanliness) and hearing aids (batteries, cleanliness and fit) should be checked
.
ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATIONS - Four common environmental situations that can cause dementia-like symptoms are: relocation, rapid changes in the environment, loss of familiar objects and faces in the environment, and lack in the environment of orienting information such as clocks and calendars.
ALTERED PHYSIOLOGY - This term refers to changes in normal body functions, such as a full bladder, constipation, pain or immobility.
ANEMIA - The oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is reduced.
CHRONIC DISEASES - The brain needs oxygen to function. The kidneys and liver clear the waste products from the blood, the lungs supply oxygen to the blood, and the heart and blood vessels transport the oxygen to the brain. Problems in any of these systems can cause dementia-like symptoms.
DRUGS - Drugs can cause dementia-like symtoms because of side effects and interactions with each other or with alcohol. Moreover, drugs can take longer to work, and remain in the body longer for the elderly than for young people.
DEPRESSION - Depression is the most common emotional disorder of the elderly and serious depression can mimic dementia.
Remember, these conditions and problems are reversible and can unnecessarily reduce the functioning of anyone, including a person with Alzheimer's disease.
Forgetting something does not mean a person is developing any kind of dementia. There are many reasons for memory lapses and momentary confusion.
Anyone may forget something, especially when sick, stressed, mildly depressed, tired, distracted, or trying to remember too much. Alzheimer's disease, and dementia in general, are not a part of aging.
Reversible Causes of Dementia-like Symptoms.
HYPOTHERMIA - Low body terperature
.
HYPERTHERMIA - High body termerature
.
DEHYDRATION - Not enough fluid in the body
.
NUTRITIONAL DEFICITS - Inadequate diet
.
SENSORY PROBLEMS - Sight and hearing decline normally with age.Vision and hearing impairments can result in behaviors that are symptomatic of dementia by blocking or distorting the person's perception of environmental and interpersonal cues. Eyeglasses (prescription accuracy, fit, and cleanliness) and hearing aids (batteries, cleanliness and fit) should be checked
.
ENVIRONMENTAL SITUATIONS - Four common environmental situations that can cause dementia-like symptoms are: relocation, rapid changes in the environment, loss of familiar objects and faces in the environment, and lack in the environment of orienting information such as clocks and calendars.
ALTERED PHYSIOLOGY - This term refers to changes in normal body functions, such as a full bladder, constipation, pain or immobility.
ANEMIA - The oxygen carrying capacity of the blood is reduced.
CHRONIC DISEASES - The brain needs oxygen to function. The kidneys and liver clear the waste products from the blood, the lungs supply oxygen to the blood, and the heart and blood vessels transport the oxygen to the brain. Problems in any of these systems can cause dementia-like symptoms.
DRUGS - Drugs can cause dementia-like symtoms because of side effects and interactions with each other or with alcohol. Moreover, drugs can take longer to work, and remain in the body longer for the elderly than for young people.
DEPRESSION - Depression is the most common emotional disorder of the elderly and serious depression can mimic dementia.
Remember, these conditions and problems are reversible and can unnecessarily reduce the functioning of anyone, including a person with Alzheimer's disease.
posted by Marilyn at 3:23 PM
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