7 Health Conditions That Can Be Mistaken for Dementia

Certain health conditions can produce symptoms that closely resemble dementia, leading to misdiagnosis or unnecessary worry. Understanding these potential look-alike health conditions is essential because misdiagnosis and delayed proper treatment can occur.

Below are 7 different health conditions that can be mistaken for Dementia:

1. Delirium: This health condition is often mistaken for Dementia because it causes people to act out of character and can easily resemble symptoms of dementia. The difference is, is that delirium occurs pretty quickly, whereas dementia evolves over time. Things such as organ failure, infections, low sugar levels and low oxygen levels can all cause delirium. And in turn, provide similar symptoms to dementia like agitation, mood swings and cognitive disorientation.
   
2. Depression: If depression is left alone and not treated for a long period of time, it can cause forgetfulness and cognitive decline – similar to that of dementia. The biggest difference between the two and how you can usually tell the two apart is that writing, speaking and motor skills are not impaired by depression.
   
3. Side effects from medications: Some side effects from medications can cause memory lapses and difficulty concentration in older adults, which could make one think that they have dementia. Beware though, prescription medications aren’t the only types of medicines that can cause dementia-like effect, over the counter drugs such as Benadryl, Tylenol PM, and Aleve PM can cause confusion as well.
   
4. Dehydration: When water levels are too low in our bodies, our brain cell functioning is compromised, causing some of the following symptoms that can be mistaken for dementia:
   – Delirium
   – Confusion
   – Difficulty focusing and concentrating
   – Feeling lethargic
   
   Since our brains are made up with about 80% water, when we’re not getting enough fluids the brain tissue shrinks, which causes dehydration symptoms.
   
5. Vitamin B12 Deficiency: B12 is a vitamin that we get from different foods such as meat, poultry, dairy and eggs. When our bodies don’t consume enough of those foods, memory loss, agitation and paranoia can all occur – which are all dementia-like symptoms. The best way to make sure this doesn’t happen to continue eating a well-balanced diet including those foods.
   
6. Thyroid Imbalances: The thyroid is what helps control our metabolism speeds. There are two types of thyroid ocnditions. Hypothyroidism, when the body isn’t producing enough of the thyroid hormone, causes your body to have a slower metabolism. Hyperthyroidism is when the body is overactive and releases too much of the thyroid hormone. Both of those can cause brain fog and concentration problems, which is confusing because that is also a sign of dementia.
   
7. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): The most common side effect from having a UTI is peeing often, but, if not treated it can cause delirium. UTI’s happen when bacteria gets into the urinary tract. How you can tell the difference between a UTI and dementia is that UTI symptoms often come on quickly, unlike dementia.

Bottom line is that many conditions can imitate symptoms of dementia and lead to a misdiagnosis, which often causes a delay in treatment. The best way to know for sure if you or a loved one is suffering from dementia is to have an open line of communication with your health provider. To avoid a misdiagnosis, ask your doctor to do a cognitive assessment and annual wellness visits.

Article Source: https://health.usnews.com/senior-care/articles/medical-problems-mimic-dementia
Image Source: https://stock.adobe.com/contributor/206713618/lightfield-studios?load_type=author&prev_url=detail

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