Identifying the Type of Dementia: Symptoms and Stages Explained
Which type of dementia does it belong to? My grandfather is nearly 80 years old and has been experiencing a disrupted sleep-wake cycle in recent months, with increasing daytime sleepiness. He has also lost a significant amount of weight and takes a long time to eat, needing to ch...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
If an elderly person's forgetfulness reaches a level that affects daily life, it may indicate dementia. Dementia is merely a clinical syndrome (a collection of symptoms) that requires further differentiation of its underlying causes. The two most common causes of dementia ar...[Read More] Identifying the Type of Dementia: Symptoms and Stages Explained
Understanding Sudden Memory Loss in the Elderly: Causes and Solutions
Grandpa woke up in the morning and forgot everything? Yesterday everything was fine, but this morning at 5 AM, my grandmother tried to wake my grandfather, but he didn't respond. They discovered that he had wet the bed. When my mother and grandmother tried to help him change...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello, if an elderly person suddenly experiences memory decline and behavioral confusion overnight, the most common cause is delirium, which is an acute confusional state. The cognitive function of elderly individuals is not as robust as in their younger years, especially for tho...[Read More] Understanding Sudden Memory Loss in the Elderly: Causes and Solutions
Addressing Abnormal Behaviors in Elderly Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Abnormal behavior in the elderly Hello Dr. Shen, My father is 79 years old and has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease for about 10 years. In recent years, the effectiveness of his medication has decreased, and his mobility has become increasingly impaired. His cognitiv...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello, Ms. Xiao Guai. After a period of illness, Parkinson's disease patients, especially the elderly, have about a 20% chance of developing dementia. Based on your description, the changes in your father's orientation and behavioral control indeed warrant consideration...[Read More] Addressing Abnormal Behaviors in Elderly Patients with Parkinson's Disease
Understanding Stroke Aftermath: Care and Recovery Strategies
Stroke sequelae and care? Hello Doctor, my grandmother suddenly had a stroke this week. There was a blockage in the blood vessels in her left brain, which caused her right side to be completely immobile at first. Additionally, it affected her speech and swallowing, so a nasogastr...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello, Grandma had a stroke just a week ago, and it is currently difficult to predict whether it will lead to dementia in the future. The most important thing right now is to actively follow the medical team's instructions for treatment and rehabilitation. If the treatment a...[Read More] Understanding Stroke Aftermath: Care and Recovery Strategies
Understanding Brain Degeneration: Treatment Options for Seniors
What are the issues related to brain degeneration? My mother is 68 years old and has been suffering from severe insomnia since mid-year. After undergoing a CT scan at a certain hospital, it was found that she has signs of brain degeneration, specifically mild cerebral atrophy. Th...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello, A-Min. Knowful, Trental, and Ginkgo biloba all have effects on improving cerebral circulation, but there are still questions about their ability to prevent dementia. Although Ginkgo can be purchased at pharmacies, it may interact with other medications, so it's best t...[Read More] Understanding Brain Degeneration: Treatment Options for Seniors
Understanding Memory Loss and Heart Disease in Elderly Patients
Elderly Issues Hello doctor, my father is 84 years old. He often forgets things and forgets what he has done. He has heart disease and experiences daily headaches. Could you please explain if he might have dementia?
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello, to assess the context, frequency, severity, and related emotional stress regarding forgetfulness, we consider dementia (Alzheimer's disease) related memory loss. Typically, memory loss in dementia will: 1. Become increasingly frequent, changing from once every three d...[Read More] Understanding Memory Loss and Heart Disease in Elderly Patients
Sudden Memory Loss in Elderly: Signs of Dementia and What to Do
Sudden memory loss in the elderly? Dear Dr. Shen, My father has been experiencing strange behavior over the past two weeks, asking the same question multiple times a day, which he has never done before. I would like to consult you on the following: 1. Is this a sign of dementia...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
1. It could be a precursor or early symptom of dementia, but it may also be due to excessive worry or concern about something, leading to repetitive questioning. In addition to repetitive inquiries, early signs of dementia may include misplacing personal items, forgetting appoint...[Read More] Sudden Memory Loss in Elderly: Signs of Dementia and What to Do
Understanding Male Menopause: Symptoms and Supplements for Relief
Male menopause I am 58 years old and have generally been in good health. I was diagnosed with Hashimoto's Thyroiditis last October. After undergoing 10 weeks of acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine, my T3, T4, and TSH levels are now normal. However, I still experienc...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello David, as far as I know, "male menopause" is not an official medical diagnosis, and there is no such term in psychiatry. The symptoms you mentioned, such as palpitations, night sweats, and fatigue, may be common anxiety symptoms in psychiatry. If these symptoms pe...[Read More] Understanding Male Menopause: Symptoms and Supplements for Relief
Understanding Hoarding Behavior in Seniors: Seeking Help for a Loved One
Collecting scrap and bringing it home to pile up..? Hello Dr. Shen: I have a long-standing issue that I seek your professional opinion on. My mother-in-law is sixty years old and has a habit of collecting junk and hoarding it at home without organizing it, which has filled severa...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello, there are several possible situations regarding the behavior of elderly individuals collecting scrap: 1. If this habit or related work existed during their youth, it may be a continuation of their original behavior into old age, which, due to a decline in cognitive abiliti...[Read More] Understanding Hoarding Behavior in Seniors: Seeking Help for a Loved One
Caring for a Depressed Grandparent: Understanding Symptoms and Solutions
Could you please clarify your question, Dr. Shen? Dr. Shen: Ever since my grandfather passed away, my grandmother has completely changed; she has become very depressed and seems to be lost in her thoughts. She keeps thinking about various things, and seeing her like this makes me...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello, elderly individuals who have experienced a stroke or the loss of a spouse are prone to depression. It is advisable to provide them with companionship and reassurance. If the elderly person continues to exhibit depressive symptoms (such as persistent sadness, frequent compl...[Read More] Caring for a Depressed Grandparent: Understanding Symptoms and Solutions
Understanding and Supporting Elderly Relatives with Hallucinations and Memory Issues
Elderly individuals at home? My grandmother (85 years old) has started to exhibit a state where she converses with imagined people since yesterday, as if she is talking to the air and interacting with it. In terms of memory, she does not have a clear understanding of her current ...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Mr. Lin may be exhibiting signs of dementia. It is best to consult a psychiatrist to determine the underlying causes. Learning caregiving techniques and providing reality orientation can be helpful, but in severe cases, medication treatment may be necessary.[Read More] Understanding and Supporting Elderly Relatives with Hallucinations and Memory Issues
Is Memory Decline Normal at 44? Understanding Cognitive Health
Is it normal to experience degenerative changes at the age of 44? Hello! It's nice to connect with someone from Caotun. I have a question that I hope you can help me with! My mom is currently 43 years old. She has had some minor memory lapses in the past, but recently she ha...
Dr. Shen Zhengnan reply Geriatrics
Hello, based on what you described, it seems more like normal forgetfulness. If it does not affect daily life or work performance, there is no need to worry too much. It’s important to check for anxiety or depressive symptoms, as well as issues like distractibility, lack of focus...[Read More] Is Memory Decline Normal at 44? Understanding Cognitive Health