"I think I'm Getting Dementia Too!"

What dementia caregiver has not said or thought "I think I'm getting dementia too." When you feel this way, it is probably true that you ARE exhibiting signs of dementia. That doesn't mean you have it! What it does mean is that you are probably stressed, have been for some time, and need to take care of herself. Stress is a leading cause of reversible, temporary dementia. Or let's be gentler and call it temporary mild cognitive impairment.

No one thinks clearly when they are stressed. We are hardwired to react without thinking when we are stressed. That's the way the caveman escaped the saber-toothed tiger. He didn't stop to think about what to do; he just ran. The remedy is a break from caregiving...maybe five minutes locked in the bathroom to take some deep breaths, or maybe a whole week's vacation away from the loved one. Or, likely something in-between, hopefully on a regular basis, like a girl's afternoon out with friends.

Stress can make the PwLBD's dementia symptoms worse too. When the body has to deal with stress, then it the Lewy bodies are allowed "free reign" and symptoms increase. Stress does not cause LBD or make it progress faster, but it sure does make it more unpleasant! Anything you can do to keep stress at a minimum will decrease symptoms and increase quality of life. One of the main stressors is the stress level of the caregiver and so we are back to how to reduce caregiver stress. Other reasons are environmental and emotional. In most cases, find the stressor, remove or decrease it and the stress will also decrease.

There some other causes of reversible dementias. These are usually easier to diagnose than the progressive ones like LBD or Alzheimer's because they have specific causes. Some are very serious, such as brain tumors, and may require surgery. Others are easier to fix--these are the one this blog and the next will be addressing.

Vitamin D deficiency. I discussed this in last week's blog. It is very common with the elderly and can cause a lack of energy and possibly cognition losses.

Dehydration. When there isn't enough fluid in your system to allow blood to circulate freely, adequate oxygen doesn't get to the brain or other organs. This is more likely with the PwLBD than with the caregiver, but it can happen. Signs of possible dehydration include bad breath, headaches, dry skin and a craving for sweets. Signs of good hydration: a) urine that is a clear, very light yellow, and b) skin on the back of the hand that quickly bounces back after being pinched, pulled up and dropped. To improve water intake, choose plain water over fizzy drinks or colas. Drink smoothies and fill up on vegetables and fruits instead of dry carby foods like crackers and pastas.

Sleep deprivation. Seniors are also more likely to be wakened up with bathroom breaks and sleep apnea spells. It can be especially serious for the 24/7 caregiver who is up night after night with a restless loved one. Signs of sleep deprivation are hunger and weight gain, impulsivity and being overly emotional, poor memory and decision making skills, poor motor skills--and a susceptibility for illnesses. (Very similar to signs of stress!) The average person needs about seven hours of sleep a night. If you aren't getting this, try to catch a nap during the day when your loved one is napping. To allow easier sleep, use pressure pads for beds and chairs to warn you about when a loved one is getting up.

If none of these fit but you still feel "dementia-like," next week's blog will be about a few more reasons for feeling less alert.

For information about Lewy body disorders, read our books:
A Caregivers’ Guide to Lewy Body Dementia
Managing Cognitive Issues in Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia

Helen and James Whitworth are not doctors. As informed caregivers, they share the information here for educational purposes only. It should never be used instead of a physician's advice.

Maybe It Isn't Dementia!

People are becoming more concerned about their cognitive health, and that’s good. As our population becomes more elderly, and as we become more exposed to the many toxins of our industrialized communities, dementia is becoming endemic. We should be concerned. However, let’s not over react.  Before you become concerned that you or your loved one has LBD or another non-curable dementia, have it checked out. It could be something as simple as dehydration!

Dehydration. When 80 year old Alice became disoriented, her concerned daughter took her to the doctor, who told Alice she needed to drink more water. With her daughter’s continual encouragement and monitoring, Alice did—and the dementia went away.  Even if dementia is already present, dehydration can make it worse. John’s PDD made him too shaky to handle a cup easily and made swallowing difficult. When these problems were dealt with so that he could get more fluids into his system, his dementia decreased.

 Brain tumors. Some brain tumors can cause dementia symptoms. Often surgery can reverse this. This is why you don’t say, “Oh, well, I’m just getting old and some forgetfulness, etc. is to be expected. If you are feeling like you are having cognitive losses, have it checked out!

Malnutrition. Dr. Rosenthal of Buffalo, NY, reports that 30% of the people who present in his clinic for cognitive impairment show signs of malnourishment.  If the body is so undernourished that it can’t function properly, the brain suffers as well.  A good healthy diet can reverse dementia caused by malnutrition—and slow progressive dementias as well.

Depression. Rob, newly retired from his job of 30 years, felt depressed. His wife, Jody, noticed that his thinking wasn’t as clear and his attention span had greatly decreased. His father had LBD and she was afraid that Rob was developing dementia as well. She convinced him to see his doctor who prescribed therapy to help him over his situational depression. As he began to adapt to his retirement, Rob’s depression lifted and his cognition improved greatly. Jody’s concern was valid. Depression is a major symptom of MCI, especially the type that precedes LBD. However, it is also the greatest cause of curable cognitive impairment.  And so be proactive and find out if this is something that can be treated by life style changes, therapy, drugs or even diet.

Drugs. Anyone dealing with LBD knows how dangerous drugs can be for our loved ones.  However, even if you aren’t at danger for LBD, drugs can decrease things like reaction time, attention and memory. (Think of all those medications with warning not to drive while taking them.)  Remove or change the drugs and the cognition will likely improve.

The bottom line is that when you notice cognitive losses, have them checked out. Don’t just assume it is part of the aging process—or even that you actually are having early symptoms of dementia but there’s nothing you can do to change that.  Some cognitive impairment is reversible. And when it isn’t, when it really is a forerunner of dementia, you can usually slow it down.