Dementia is a broad term which serves to describe a range of different cognitive disorders, and causes problems with memory, recognition of objects and surroundings, decision making ability, and speech. Dementia is more common in older adults, but can occur as early as forty years of age.
Alzheimer's Disease is a type of dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease, and it has become the 6th leading cause of death among the USA. 1 out of every 3 Americans over age 65 dies with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or other dementia.
Dementia has many different causes. Some can be reversed and others cannot. Knowing the causes of dementia can assist you reduce your risk of contracting the disease.
Dementia may be caused by certain diseases. However, it may likewise occur spontaneously with no underlying cause. When dementia occurs with no underlying cause it normally does the case in the form of Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, or as Vascular Dementia. Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia are caused by abnormal clumps of protein in the brain called plaque. Vascular Dementia is caused by problems with the circulation of blood in arteries in the brain. It can occur after heart attack, a stroke, or infection of a heart valve.
Bladder Infection: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI's) can cause symptoms of dementia in the elderly. This is known as urinary psychosis and can be addressed and reversed with antibiotics. While this generally occurs with bladder infections, any infection may cause symptoms of dementia.
Medication Interactions: When multiple medications are made at the same time to manage various illness and problems, there is still the risk of one medication interacting with another. This can mean that one drug makes another drug more or less powerful, or that one drug completely counteracts another. Over the counter (OTC) medications can do this just as easily as prescription medications. Medication interactions can also cause drug toxicity and increased side effects and confusion.
Medication Toxicity: When medications and their by products aren't metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys, medications can build up in the body and become toxic. Toxicity can result in mental confusion and symptoms of dementia.
Depression: Depression can result in forgetfulness, confusion, lack of motivation, agitation, and anxiety. These symptoms may be interpreted as dementia. Antidepressant medications can be useful in stabilizing mood and improving some basic function in those with depression.
Dehydration: When there isn't enough fluid in the body, dehydration results. When we're dehydrated, our electrolyte balances change from normal to much higher in concentration. This can result in mental confusion, heart palpitations and a host of other symptoms.
Hearing and Vision Problems: Loss of one of these senses can cause changes in behavior that may be construed as dementia.
Tumors: Brain tumors can cause mental confusion, mood changes and personality changes. These symptoms mimic dementia.
Lack of Oxygen to the Brain (Anoxia): Anoxia can be caused by any situation that would impede oxygen reaching the brain. Some conditions that can lead to anoxia are heart attack, carbon monoxide poisoning and severe asthma. Chronic heart and lung problems can also result in anoxia and symptoms of dementia.
Alzheimer's Disease is a type of dementia. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease, and it has become the 6th leading cause of death among the USA. 1 out of every 3 Americans over age 65 dies with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease or other dementia.
Dementia has many different causes. Some can be reversed and others cannot. Knowing the causes of dementia can assist you reduce your risk of contracting the disease.
Dementia may be caused by certain diseases. However, it may likewise occur spontaneously with no underlying cause. When dementia occurs with no underlying cause it normally does the case in the form of Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, or as Vascular Dementia. Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia are caused by abnormal clumps of protein in the brain called plaque. Vascular Dementia is caused by problems with the circulation of blood in arteries in the brain. It can occur after heart attack, a stroke, or infection of a heart valve.
Bladder Infection: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI's) can cause symptoms of dementia in the elderly. This is known as urinary psychosis and can be addressed and reversed with antibiotics. While this generally occurs with bladder infections, any infection may cause symptoms of dementia.
Medication Interactions: When multiple medications are made at the same time to manage various illness and problems, there is still the risk of one medication interacting with another. This can mean that one drug makes another drug more or less powerful, or that one drug completely counteracts another. Over the counter (OTC) medications can do this just as easily as prescription medications. Medication interactions can also cause drug toxicity and increased side effects and confusion.
Medication Toxicity: When medications and their by products aren't metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys, medications can build up in the body and become toxic. Toxicity can result in mental confusion and symptoms of dementia.
Depression: Depression can result in forgetfulness, confusion, lack of motivation, agitation, and anxiety. These symptoms may be interpreted as dementia. Antidepressant medications can be useful in stabilizing mood and improving some basic function in those with depression.
Dehydration: When there isn't enough fluid in the body, dehydration results. When we're dehydrated, our electrolyte balances change from normal to much higher in concentration. This can result in mental confusion, heart palpitations and a host of other symptoms.
Hearing and Vision Problems: Loss of one of these senses can cause changes in behavior that may be construed as dementia.
Tumors: Brain tumors can cause mental confusion, mood changes and personality changes. These symptoms mimic dementia.
Lack of Oxygen to the Brain (Anoxia): Anoxia can be caused by any situation that would impede oxygen reaching the brain. Some conditions that can lead to anoxia are heart attack, carbon monoxide poisoning and severe asthma. Chronic heart and lung problems can also result in anoxia and symptoms of dementia.