Causes can vary for dementia

Problems with memory and concentration are common complaints as we age. Everyone wants to know whether they are “losing it,” whether the symptoms they are experiencing are dementia – one of the most feared conditions of aging.

Dementia is a group of symptoms, not a disease in and of itself, that can be caused by a variety of things and that people often believe will only worsen with time. However, some treatable conditions can cause dementia and if diagnosed and treated early enough, much of a person’s cognitive function may be regained or further progression of dementia stopped.

Some medications and supplements have side effects that can either worsen or cause dementia. As the liver and kidneys age, their function can decline, which may decrease the ability to clear substances from the body and cause higher than desirable drug levels in the blood over time. Sometimes an interaction between two or more medications or supplements can cause memory and concentration problems. It is important to always tell your doctor about everything you are taking so it can be determined if a drug or drug interaction is the culprit.

Metabolic abnormalities such as pernicious anemia and hypothyroidism can cause dementia symptoms. Pernicious anemia (a lack of red blood cells, which carry oxygen) is more common with age and caused by an inability in the gastrointestinal tract to effectively absorb vitamin B12 from the foods you eat. B12 is important for making red blood cells and keeping nerves healthy. Pernicious anemia can be treated with supplements often given as injections. In hypothyroidism, the thyroid gland does not produce enough of the thyroid hormone responsible for metabolism. It can be treated by a prescription of synthetic thyroid hormone. These conditions cannot be cured, so the medications to treat them must be taken for life.

Pellagra is a deficiency in the B-vitamin niacin or the amino acid tryptophan that can cause dementia. It can be caused by not getting enough of these nutrients in the foods you eat, inadequate absorption of these nutrients, or an inability of the body to make niacin from tryptophan. Alcoholism and some gastrointestinal diseases can cause such impairments. Pellagra can be treated with niacin supplements, but sometimes B-complex vitamins and a high-protein diet are required for successful treatment.

Infections like syphilis, HIV and Lyme disease, when left untreated for a long time, can damage the brain and cause dementia. Treatment will not restore cognitive function, but it can stop dementia from worsening and possibly prevent other complications.

Normal pressure hydrocephalus develops slowly over time and causes dementia by putting pressure on the brain.

Exposure to certain toxins and heavy metals like lead and mercury can cause dementia in anyone. A blood test is the best way to check for high levels of these substances. If the level is high, it is important to figure out the source of exposure and end it. Afterward, your body is usually able to clear the substance adequately with a little time, but sometimes treatment is necessary.

These are only some of the possible causes for dementia that we can encounter. Even hearing or vision loss can mimic dementia in some ways. If you are experiencing problems, it is better to see your health care provider than to wonder what is happening with your brain.