Reversible Dementia Symptoms and Other Mayo Clinic Insights

Dementia is a complex, progressive disease characterized by a group of symptoms impacting memory, thinking, judgment, reasoning, and social abilities. For individuals who are diagnosed with dementia, these symptoms interfere with their daily lives, impacting their ability to work and perform routine tasks.

Memory loss or confusion is often one of the early symptoms of dementia, but memory loss alone does not mean an individual has dementia. Memory loss can have many causes.

There are over 120 types of dementia, each with various causes, symptoms, phases, and prognoses.

This makes it essential to speak with reliable geriatricians, neurologists, and healthcare practitioners to understand the complexities of dementia, the type of dementia and to obtain a reliable diagnosis and treatment plan.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss the Mayo Clinic’s most recent research on dementia, including its causes, risk factors, and reversible symptoms.

Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia symptoms can differ based on the type of disease. Some people may experience several symptoms, while others may have only a few.

If you notice one or more of the following symptoms, it’s important to see a physician for evaluation. Early diagnosis can lead to effective treatment of symptoms.

Cognitive Changes

• Memory loss that is usually noticed by someone else
• Problems with communicating or finding the right word
• Difficulty with visual or spacial abilities (getting lost while driving)
• Problems with reasoning or problem-solving
• Trouble planning or organizing
• Difficulty performing complex tasks
• Poor coordination and control of movements
• Confusion and disorientation

Psychological Changes

• Personality changes
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Agitation
• Inappropriate behavior (that’s different than usual)
• Paranoia
• Hallucinations

Causes of Dementia

Dementia is caused by a loss of nerve cells and their connections to the brain cells that instruct the body what to do. Dementia symptoms are displayed depending on the area of the brain that is damaged.

Dementia impacts individuals differently because there are different types of dementia and different parts of the brain that are affected, causing different symptoms.

In order to identify, research, and treat Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Physicians group dementias based on what they have in common.

Dementias are grouped by:

• The proteins deposited in the brain or the parts of the brain that are impacted
• Medications that cause reactions that include dementia symptoms
• Diseases having symptoms similar to those of dementia
• Not getting enough of certain types of vitamins and minerals

Dementia symptoms caused by medications or vitamin and mineral deficits may improve with proper treatment.

There is no cure when dementia is caused by protein buildup. However, new and upcoming drugs may help dementias caused by protein deposits.

Non-Reversable Dementias

Progressive dementias are irreversible and get worse over time. These are some of the most common and well-known dementias, including:

• Alzheimer’s disease: The most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s affects memory, thinking, and behavior.
• Vascular dementia: The second most common cause of dementia and is caused by microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockage in the brain
• Lewy body dementia: Is caused by protein deposits called Lewy bodies that develop in nerve cells in the brain
• Frontotemporal dementia: Is caused by a group of disorders caused by progressive nerve cell loss in the brain’s frontal or temporal lobes.

Reversible Dementia-like Conditions

Some conditions can cause symptoms like dementia that can be reversed over time with proper treatment.

Reversible conditions that may cause dementia-like symptoms include:

• Infections and immune disorders
• Metabolic or Endocrine problems
• Too much or too little sodium or calcium
• Difficulty absorbing vitamin B12
• Lower levels of certain nutrients
• Dehydration
• Vitamin B, E, or D deficiencies
• Bleeding between the surface of the brain caused by injuries from falls, especially in older adults
• Brain tumors
• Water on the brain

In addition, certain medications can cause dementia-like symptoms. For example, chronic use of sleeping pills containing Benadryl or medications treating urinary urgency can worsen memory.

Speak with your doctor about potential side effects before taking a new medication or if you notice any changes to your memory when starting a new medication.

Dementia Risk Factors

Researchers have identified several lifestyle choices that can negatively impact brain health and increase the risk of dementia.

Identifying these risks early can allow you to take proactive steps to support long-term cognitive wellness.

Below are common dementia risk factors:

• Age (people 65 and older are more at risk)
• Genetics/Family history of dementia
• Down Syndrome (people with Down syndrome usually develop early onset dementia by middle age)
• Obesity
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Heart disease
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol use
• Head trauma from falls, accidents, or sports
• Poor nutrition

Preventing Dementia

Numerous studies have identified ways to enhance memory and decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

It’s important to focus on your cognitive health and take proactive steps to reduce the risks of dementia as you age.

Here are some healthy lifestyle choices that can improve brain and cognitive health:

• Staying Active: Aerobic exercise raises your heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Regular physical activity, such as aerobic exercise, walking, swimming, or running, is one of the most effective ways to maintain and protect cognitive health
• Healthy Diet: A diet that’s rich in grains, nuts, seeds, vegetables, leaner meats/proteins, less processed foods, and foods that are lower in fat can help reduce one's risk of cognitive decline
• Socially Activity: Staying socially active reduces isolation and loneliness, promotes emotional connections, helps to protect brain health, and reduces the risk of dementia
• Vitamins: Getting enough crucial vitamins through your diet or supplements is essential. According to recent studies, taking vitamin D supplements may ward off dementia
• Treating Hearing Loss: People with hearing loss have a greater chance of developing problems with thinking and cognitive decline. Early treatment of hearing loss with hearing aids may decrease your risk of dementia

Wrap-up

Dementia is a complex disease with various types, causes, and symptoms, affecting each person differently.

Education plays a crucial role in understanding, avoiding risk factors, and preventing and treating Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Although there’s no cure, there are ways to help lower your risk of developing dementia.

Embracing a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular physical activity, along with avoiding known risk factors such as smoking and excessive alcohol use, can promote brain health and decrease the likelihood of developing dementia.