Posted 10-1-19
So, if you have read the previous 300+ posts about dementia, many of them have scared you more than the thought of sharing an old cabin with talking dolls, clowns with red balloons, or that dude with the knife fingers. You may or may not have considered the possibility that you will eventually have this disease if we can’t find a cure. I know I have. With a mom and an uncle with it today and a grandma who was taken from me by the double un-blessing of dementia and congestive heart failure, you can bet I have considered it although I am NOT worried. Today I start a two part series called “Are You Sure You Have Dementia?” and will finish tomorrow with the flipsided “Are You Sure You Don’t Have Dementia?”.
So, how can you KNOW for certain that you do have dementia? Arguably, the only way to know 100% sure that you do is to die and have your brain examined detail. Since that isn’t a great plan for a diagnosis, the next best plan is to test the dickens out of us with brain scans (preferably over time), other medical tests, cognitive testing to see how our memory is functioning and a few other tests that have went on through the last 100 years with mixed results. Clinical trials are ongoing throughout the world and the Alzheimer’s Association does a great job in matching volunteers to trials. PLEASE NOTE HERE: these are doctor-level tests, not the cornbread-between-the-ears kind of diagnoses like I can offer you. However, if you have been thinking that you have dementia and are waiting the 22 months it takes to get an appointment these days with your doctor, allow these two little articles to be a fun/not fun pre-screening if you would like. However, do NOT trust me on this…talk to your doctor if you have concerns at all. He or she went to more than a baker’s dozen years of training in college plus have years of experience. I write a blog, fix computers really well, and still push the door that only opens in and occasionally put the toilet paper in the wrong way.
My thinking here is I will list the excellent Alzheimer’s Association article 10 warning signs that you may have dementia, then will list other things that may cause the symptoms or some more details. Indeed, not everyone with memory problems is a carrier of this so-far-always-lethal hot mess.
Off we go:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life– First, forgetting where you left your keys or where you parked at Mall of America isn’t a sure sign of anything except being a human. We all do these, especially as we age. However, is it a common occurrence? Do you have Post-its and cheat sheets everywhere to help you do things you used to be able to do? Does your loved one have to function as your event planner far more than they used to? These make it worth considering. However: Memory loss can also come from head trauma (especially subdural hematomas), medications or withdrawal symptoms from stopping them, vitamin issues (too few, too much), diabetes, blood pressure (too high or low), dehydration, thyroid problems (hypo and hyper), Parkinson’s disease (there is a condition called Parkinson’s dementia), Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, AIDS dementia, Neurosyphilis, Hydrocephalus, Normal pressure hydrocephalus, depression or other behavioral health conditions, certain infections (Urinary Tract Infection is a biggie!), strokes or mini strokes (re: TIAs), brain tumors, other chronic diseases, or alcohol/drug use (were the 1960’s rough?), Cephalo Elephantitis Trunkus Maximus (I made this one up, but it would involve having a very large head with a fat trunk for a nose), and ear worms from that Star Trek movie…(Khaaaaaan!) — In short, there are lots and lots of causes of memory loss, and many can be reversed. Note: this list can cause pretty much any of the rest of the 10 items on this list too, so I won’t repeat them.
- Challenges in planning or solving problems- Mimicked by: the above list from #1, ADHD, stress, other cognitive behavioral conditions, being a member of some parts of government.
- Difficulty completing familiar tasks- Mimicked by: any we have listed so far, plus having normal challenges multitasking, extreme busyness, me primarily when I try to do laundry…
- Confusion with time or place- most of the previously listed causes, blindness, being in Rip Van Winkle’s family line.
- Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships- Most of the above causes, vertigo, being in the Wil E Coyote family line.
- New problems with words in speaking or writing- Is this frequent or just a few times? Was your mind preoccupied with multiple things? This one is a tad more serious, I suppose, but even yet it is no guarantee. (Note: Slurred speech not caused by alcohol can be a very serious sign of stroke and other conditions…call 911 immediately!)
- Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps- Depends on the frequency of it happening. Is it every day? Does it correspond with #4? This may be important and may not be. (Note: if you have misplaced your baseball playoff airline tickets, you may just be a Chicago Cub player…but I digress!)
- Decreased or poor judgment- Many of the previously mentioned causes, being in the entertainment industry.
- Withdrawal from work or social activities- fatigue, depression, many of the above causes, having children after 9pm…especially teens.
- Changes in mood and personality- See above, lunar cycles, diet, being my wife when choosing where we will eat supper. (just kidding, sweetie)
How about some more conditions that mimic dementia? Here ya go:
Link Link Link Link Link Link Link Link
Sigh…In summary, there are at least 50 things that look a lot like dementia, but are not. Many of these are treatable.
SO WHAT IS MY POINT WITH THIS LAUNDRY LIST? Please, if you have problems with any of these issues, talk to your doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He or she will diagnose the problem and treat it, if possible. If it does turn out to be dementia, your doc will start a treatment/care plan as soon as possible. There are medicines that can help the symptoms in early-stage dementia that will not work if you wait too long (as we did with my mom). My point is to list lots and lots of causes, nearly all of which are 100% legitimate, so that you will treat it seriously and will find out what caused the symptom. Only a doctor and/or a neurologist can navigate these symptoms. Don’t self-diagnose…just don’t. Don’t trust the internet. Don’t trust me. If you have problems on this top ten list, get it checked today.
Thank you. (Loving) Rant over.
Update: same ole same ole on mom. She was happy and ate well. For a patient on hospice with late-stage dementia, all is well. 🙂 I look very forward to seeing her today.
#EndALZ
Note: I am, in no way, making light of any conditions or causes. I am just trying to get you to the doctor who knows much more than I ever will despite spending thousands of hours researching it myself. Thank you for the grace with my odd sense of humor.
Thank You for the is much needed article. You are such a help!
Thank you very much! 🙂