Sometimes, a person may develop dementia as a result of another condition. By curing or at least partially treating the underlying condition, the signs and symptoms of dementia are often partially or completely reversed. Conditions that may cause reversible dementia include the following:
• Drug abuse, misuse, or reactions. In older people, some drugs can produce side effects that mimic dementia, especially if the medication is misused or overused. Common medications that can produce these effects include tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and anti-depressant or anxiety drugs. The symptoms typically disappear after the drug use is discontinued.
Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH). Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear liquid in the central nervous system that acts as a cushion for the brain and CNS. It also circulates nutrients and chemicals to the brain and nervous system and eliminates waste products from the brain. When cerebrospinal fluid accumulates and becomes excessive, a person may develop normal pressure hydrocephalus. The condition— which is also known as “water on the brain”—occurs when the flow of cerebrospinal fluid is blocked. As a result, pressure on the brain builds and can damage the tissues, which can cause loss of brain function and produce symptoms of dementia.
Head injury. Any type of injury to the brain including those that occur during a car accident, an assault, or a severe fall, can cause damage to the brain that produces symptoms of dementia.
Subdural hematoma. Sometimes, in the aftermath of a head injury, a person may develop a subdural hematoma, a collection of blood that occurs between the brain’s outer covering and the surface of the brain. The buildup is usually the result of a ruptured blood vessel. In the elderly, this may occur spontaneously or after a minor head trauma. Whether the condition is acute and occurs rapidly or chronic and occurs gradually, it is considered a medical emergency. In addition to causing symptoms of dementia, a subdural hematoma can cause loss of consciousness, headache, lethargy, and seizures.
• Tumors. When a brain tumor presses on certain parts of the brain, it can affect that part or cause damage to brain cells. The result may be dementia. By treating the tumor with medicine or surgery, the symptoms of dementia can be reversed.
• Metabolic disorders. Conditions that affect the way the body performs metabolic processes, such as liver or pancreas disease, kidney or liver failure, hypoglycemia, or chemical imbalances, can produce symptoms of dementia.
• Hormonal disorders. Hormones are chemical messengers that play a major role in regulating our bodily functions, including reproduction, metabolism, and growth. When organs that secrete or regulate hormones become diseased, you may develop a hormone imbalance, which can lead to symptoms of dementia.
• Poor oxygen flow. Medically known as hypoxia, the lack of oxygen in the blood can cause dementia. The most common cause of hypoxia is lung disease, which can restrict oxygen intake or interfere with the transfer of oxygen from the lungs to the blood.
• Nutritional deficiencies. A shortage of certain nutrients, such as vitamin B12 and folate, can cause dementia.
• Alcoholism. Long-time abuse of alcohol can cause a person to develop symptoms of dementia.
Getting It Right
It’s true that Alzheimer’s may be the most well-known and most common form of dementia, but as you can see, it’s clearly not the only disease that can cause memory loss, difficulties with language, confusion, and personality changes.
Given that some forms of dementia are at least partially re-versible, it’s critical that you get the most accurate diagnosis you possibly can. It’s also important to get diagnosed as quickly as you can since some conditions respond best early on, and irreversible damage can occur if they’re left untreated for long periods of time. It would be a tragedy to learn later on that the form of dementia you or a loved one was experiencing was actually the result of a treatable condition.