‘Shrinking brain’ happens to elderly

Dear Dr. Gott: My mother, 92, has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. She repeats herself, forgets things and occasionally has auditory hallucinations. I don’t know what to do.

Dear Reader: Alzheimer’s is but one cause of dementia. Were your mother younger, I’d certainly consider it in her case. However, there is no reliable, standard test for the condition. Consequently, in a person over 90, I’m more prone to believe that she may have a thyroid deficiency, a vitamin deficiency, or – more likely – age-related dementia from micro-infarcts (mini-strokes) that are common in the elderly who suffer from what I have termed “shrinking brain.”

Because some forms of cognitive malfunction are treatable, you really need to know why she is forgetful and has auditory hallucinations (which, in my experience, are not common in Alzheimer’s patients). Therefore, I recommend that your mother be examined by a neurologist and have blood tests, as well as an MRI scan. Ask her primary care physician for a referral to the appropriate specialist.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Alzheimer’s Disease.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

Dear Dr. Gott: Your recent column on athletes’ spitting really touched a nerve.

I’m a junior high school teacher who coaches baseball. I discourage spitting, but many of my players spit anyway. I feel this is less important than having teammates wash their hands after urinating.

Dear Reader: While I do not wish to open again the discussion about hand washing in the restroom, I can say that spitting on the field is probably more unattractive than other, less problematic health consequences.

In short, neither practice – although unattractive – is dangerous in most situations.

Dear Dr. Gott: I am a mother, 37, who exercises regularly and has no significant health problems. I am a vegetarian, a weight-trainee and a soccer coach.

My cholesterol was recently measured at 209, HDL 48, LDL 42. Was I born into the unlucky club?

Dear Reader: Not on your life. As a young mother, your total cholesterol of 209 is acceptable. Keep up the good work, watch the cholesterol in your diet, and have repeat blood lipid levels every 6 months.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Cholesterol.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope and $2 to Newsletter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.