When you’re a certain age, memory loss can become a scary thing. If you or a person you love is suddenly becoming increasingly forgetful, confused or unable to remember how to perform basic tasks, the immediate thing we think of is “dementia.” Unfortunately, because the idea of dementia is terrifying for many, it’s common to try and sweep the issue under the rug – which can be problematic because it’s possible that the memory loss is being caused by something other than dementia.
“There are many treatable conditions and diseases that have similar symptoms to dementia,” says Beth Vellante, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover, a memory care assisted living community in Andover, MA. “Because seniors and their loved ones don’t often want to risk hearing that they have dementia – which isn’t something that can be cured – they can end up living with something for a long time that could have been easily treated and taken care of.”
That’s why it’s important, if you are noticing that you or a loved one are behaving differently than normal, that you should schedule an examination with a medical professional to see what treatments might be available. Even if you discover that the symptoms are being caused by dementia, says Beth, it’s better to find that out sooner rather than later.
“Detecting dementia as early as possible can help slow the progression of the disease,” she says. “Knowledge is power, and knowing whether you discover the issues are being caused by dementia or something else will help you take steps to improve your quality of life now and down the road.”
Here are some of the surprising causes of memory loss that are not related to dementia:
#1: Depression
Depression is a serious issue that affects many seniors, but is often ignored or misdiagnosed. Depression can manifest in many different ways and can be caused by many different factors. The death or loss of friends or spouses is one of the biggest factors, but other reasons could be chronic pain, difficulties with getting older, boredom, becoming isolated because of deteriorating abilities or physical factors that affect your body/brain chemistry.
Depression is something that occurs frequently in individuals with dementia and Alzheimer’s, but it isn’t exclusive to that disease. It is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked because depression can manifest as memory loss, problems with short term memory, mood swings and even physical deterioration.
Luckily, depression is a very treatable disease, and there are many different types of therapeutic and medical treatments that can be used to help get you or your loved one into a better state of health.
#2: Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)
One surprising cause of dementia-like symptoms are UTIs. Although characterized by a burning sensation when urinating and sometimes a fever in younger individuals, some people – particularly seniors – experience confusion, difficulty paying attention, mood swings and sometimes even hallucinations. If a senior loved one is suddenly having memory loss out of the blue, it’s not uncommon for a UTI to be the cause.
#3: Alcohol or Drug Abuse
Consistently overusing drugs or alcohol for extended periods of time can severely damage a person’s brain. One extreme form of this is Wernicke-Korsakoff Syndrome (WKS), which is a dementia-like disorder that causes both short- and long-term memory loss in seniors. However, seniors may also experience psychosis and other long-term cognitive decline that’s drug-related but isn’t due to a particular syndrome. It’s never too late to get help if you or a loved one are addicted to drugs or alcohol, and it’s possible that the memory loss that’s being experienced can be cured.
#4: Thyroid Disease
Your thyroid produces hormones that help your body process food and promote organ function. If your thyroid is too slow (hypothyroidism) or too fast (hyperthyroidism), you can experience a slew of different symptoms, including memory loss, brain fog, difficulty focusing and anxiety or depression. Finding out if you have a thyroid problem is as easy as taking a blood test, and your doctor will prescribe medication to help get your thyroid levels in check.
#5: Medication Complications
American seniors are some of the most heavily medicated people in the world. It’s not an uncommon occurrence that a senior is taking two or more drugs that can have adverse effects when they interact – or that simply have side effects that are similar to dementia. Medications for reducing cholesterol, managing pain, anti-anxiety or depression medications and others all have memory loss listed as a side effect. Although many of these medications may be necessary, it’s important to take notice if any strange symptoms are popping up following being prescribed new medications. It’s also good to check in with the doctor at least once a year to review what medications you or a loved one are taking, and determine if there are any interactions that might be causing mental side effects.
#6: Diabetes
People with diabetes have difficulty regulating their insulin and blood sugar levels. If blood sugar levels drop too low, the person can become disoriented, faint or have memory difficulties. For those with diabetes, it’s important to make sure that the disease is controlled and that you’re regularly meeting with your doctor to ensure everything is functioning properly.
#7: Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused when an infected tick bites a person and harmful bacteria is introduced into your blood. If this remains in your body for a long period of time, you can experience short-term memory loss, fatigue and damage to your nervous symptom. Lyme disease is a sneaky disease to diagnose, because symptoms can show up anywhere from months to years after you’ve been bitten. In the recent decade, doctors have become more aware of Lyme Disease and its effects on the body, making it easier to diagnose. Although Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics, it’s easier to treat the earlier it’s caught.
#8: Vitamin B12 Deficiency
Vitamin B12 is a mineral that’s found only in animal products, and although it’s an essential part of our diet, our bodies can’t produce it. If you’re low on this vitamin, you may feel lost, confused or have tingling in your arms or legs. Although people generally can get enough B12 from their diets, if you have a condition like Crohn’s disease, celiac disease or follow a vegetarian diet, you may have difficulty getting enough in order to stay healthy. Have your doctor check your blood levels and determine if a vitamin supplement can be beneficial.
#9: Vestibular Disorders
Our vestibular system is part of our inner ear and helps regulate balance and even cognitive function. When our vestibular system is affected by a disease like vertigo, labyrinthitis or Meniere’s disease, we experience confusion, discombobulation and memory issues.
These are a handful of the other reasons why you or a loved one may be experiencing dementia-like symptoms – all of which are treatable. The sooner a cause is determined, says Beth, the sooner you or your senior loved one can get the help needed in order to live a healthier and happier life.
Engaging Lifestyle.
Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover provides memory care in an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Built solely to care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover creates a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and respects individual preferences. Our memory care teams receive specialized training that helps them safely support residents’ independence and elevate their self-esteem.
Dedicated Memory Care
Through early-, mid- and late-stage memory loss, residents and their families have complete peace of mind. Our compassionate dementia care, Personalized Services and unique programs are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident wherever they are on their own journey, allowing them to age in place safely, comfortably and with respect.
Supportive, Purpose-Built Design.
Featuring a stunning residential design and the amenities of a new community, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover is much more than a beautiful place to live; it’s a community where residents’ lives are enriched, and their families enjoy meaningful moments together. Our research-based design features soft colors and lighting, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to explore their homes with confidence.
Contact us today to learn more.