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I Would Like To Know If Depression Has Links To Dementia
Question: I would like to know if depression has links to dementia, can it be cured using alternative medicines.
My mother is 71 and she is suffering from dementia/depression.
please let me know.
thanks and regards
XXXXXXX
My mother is 71 and she is suffering from dementia/depression.
please let me know.
thanks and regards
XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
There are possible links
Detailed Answer:
Dear ,
As per the available research data there are possible links between pseudo-dementia (old age depression) and dementia. It has been observed that around 30% of individuals with late onset depression develop dementia in few years. There is no confirmed casual link between dementia and depression as some experts believe that depression can be early manifestation of true dementia.
In regard to treatment of geriatric depression I feel there is need for starting low and going slow as rapid dosage often causes more side effects. There are alternative treatment options in addition to medication but generally there is limited or no-response in old age depression. It is important to treat the late onset depression as early as possible.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
There are possible links
Detailed Answer:
Dear ,
As per the available research data there are possible links between pseudo-dementia (old age depression) and dementia. It has been observed that around 30% of individuals with late onset depression develop dementia in few years. There is no confirmed casual link between dementia and depression as some experts believe that depression can be early manifestation of true dementia.
In regard to treatment of geriatric depression I feel there is need for starting low and going slow as rapid dosage often causes more side effects. There are alternative treatment options in addition to medication but generally there is limited or no-response in old age depression. It is important to treat the late onset depression as early as possible.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Dear Doctor,
I don't understand when you say "geriatric depression". Kindly explain.
Ever since the issue came up, we understand the main reason for my mother's depression is Age/Loneliness, as all of her children are away (which was not she had expected) and at the same time she started to have problems with her memory in doing house hold activities like cooking. So this loss of memory gave her the fear which in turn caused depression.
Are there any conclusive tests available these days to find out if any organ damage that has happened due to continuation of medications over longer periods? She is under medication for last 14-16 months and as a result one can see she does some involuntary action with face and mouth from time to time. I can get you the name of pill that she has been prescribed for your referral. We had also conducted a Brain CT scan 12 months before which said it could be a case of mild dementia, but for us it is not conclusive.
My purpose is to know her brain condition by means of further appropriate tests to prevent any more damage to her brain cells that may have happened due to consumption of allopathic medications.
And if possible to give her better treatment through ayurveda or homeopathy.
My worry is my mother is very unstable from time to time, there are few hours in the day when she is totally off her mind and there are few hours where she is fully normal.
I shall get back to you with the name of medicine and the Brain CT scan report at the soonest.
best regards
I don't understand when you say "geriatric depression". Kindly explain.
Ever since the issue came up, we understand the main reason for my mother's depression is Age/Loneliness, as all of her children are away (which was not she had expected) and at the same time she started to have problems with her memory in doing house hold activities like cooking. So this loss of memory gave her the fear which in turn caused depression.
Are there any conclusive tests available these days to find out if any organ damage that has happened due to continuation of medications over longer periods? She is under medication for last 14-16 months and as a result one can see she does some involuntary action with face and mouth from time to time. I can get you the name of pill that she has been prescribed for your referral. We had also conducted a Brain CT scan 12 months before which said it could be a case of mild dementia, but for us it is not conclusive.
My purpose is to know her brain condition by means of further appropriate tests to prevent any more damage to her brain cells that may have happened due to consumption of allopathic medications.
And if possible to give her better treatment through ayurveda or homeopathy.
My worry is my mother is very unstable from time to time, there are few hours in the day when she is totally off her mind and there are few hours where she is fully normal.
I shall get back to you with the name of medicine and the Brain CT scan report at the soonest.
best regards
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Geriatric depression is depression which occurs in old age. It is slightly different from depression in young age and so called differently to understand it properly.
The tests available on the current date are organ specific and need to be tailed on basis of medications consumed. I think this needs a detailed discussion with her doctor. In addition no test is specific whether the organ damage is due to medication or something else.
In regard to dementia the only specific test is detailed history of the patient and imaging such as CT scan and MRI can add to the clinical examination.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks again.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.
Geriatric depression is depression which occurs in old age. It is slightly different from depression in young age and so called differently to understand it properly.
The tests available on the current date are organ specific and need to be tailed on basis of medications consumed. I think this needs a detailed discussion with her doctor. In addition no test is specific whether the organ damage is due to medication or something else.
In regard to dementia the only specific test is detailed history of the patient and imaging such as CT scan and MRI can add to the clinical examination.
I hope this helps you.
Thanks again.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Kampana
Dear Sir,
please find attached the list of pills she has been consuming in last 6-7 months and also a report of brain CT scan.
Please let me know, based on the CT scan report if we can look for other treatment options and if you notice any serious problems with her brain functions so far?
best regards XXXXXXX
please find attached the list of pills she has been consuming in last 6-7 months and also a report of brain CT scan.
Please let me know, based on the CT scan report if we can look for other treatment options and if you notice any serious problems with her brain functions so far?
best regards XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.
As per the available reports of PET CT scan she is suffering with mild dementia. Since it is progressive disorder it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. It is also important to know that there is no definite treatment for the condition and available medications for the condition helps only to some extent.
As per the allopathy the standard treatment for the condition is donepezil in dose range of 5-10 mg which was prescribed for the condition by the treating psychiatrist during last consultation. This is medicine is largely safe and helps in stopping the deterioration of the condition over the time.
As per the available data on the current date no alternative effective treatment is available for dementia. The best remedy for the patient is home care with proper understanding of the condition in addition to medications.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Follow up
Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXXXXX
Thanks for follow up.
As per the available reports of PET CT scan she is suffering with mild dementia. Since it is progressive disorder it is important to start treatment as soon as possible. It is also important to know that there is no definite treatment for the condition and available medications for the condition helps only to some extent.
As per the allopathy the standard treatment for the condition is donepezil in dose range of 5-10 mg which was prescribed for the condition by the treating psychiatrist during last consultation. This is medicine is largely safe and helps in stopping the deterioration of the condition over the time.
As per the available data on the current date no alternative effective treatment is available for dementia. The best remedy for the patient is home care with proper understanding of the condition in addition to medications.
I hope this helps you.
Feel free to write back to me if you have more questions.
Thanks and regards.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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