Here are 10 potentially reversible causes of dementia symptoms.
Confusion and memory loss Urinary incontinence Balance and walking problems
Proper treatment can sometimes—but not always—reverse some or all of the memory impairment and confusion. Early identification and treatment of NPH typically produce better results.
Some people develop a deficiency in vitamin B12 due to poor diets. Other causes of this deficiency include health problems such as pernicious anemia or Crohn’s disease. Older adults can also develop a reduced ability to absorb this vitamin.
Vitamin B12 supplementation can often improve or restore your memory and overall cognitive functioning.
Severe insomnia and sleep deprivation can significantly impact our ability to think and reason. The good news is that there’s a clear treatment to this cause of memory loss.
Ask your physician to review your medication list and make sure she knows all of the medicines that have been prescribed for you by other doctors such as specialists. Cognition can significantly improve if this issue is identified and addressed.
Effectiveness of treatment can range from little to no benefit all the way to full restoration, depending on the type and location of the tumor.
Symptoms of a subdural hematoma include confusion, lethargy, difficulty with speech and headaches. Treatment can involve medication or surgery to drain the blood off the brain. Outcome varies depending on the success of the treatment.
When a change in condition is noticed, whether it’s an increase in challenging behaviors, more lethargy or increased confusion, an infection should be suspected. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the cause of delirium are important for restored cognition.
Understanding the symptoms of depression, getting an accurate assessment from a professional and accessing prompt treatment are important for your cognitive and emotional health.
Korsakoff’s syndrome is typically a long-term condition that sometimes follows an incident of Wernicke’s encephalopathy. It more closely resembles dementia’s symptoms and includes confusion, memory loss, hallucinations, and confabulation (making up stories).
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, about 25% of people with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome will fully recover.
