Understanding Organic Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: Key Differences
Organic dementia and Alzheimer's disease? Hello, doctor: Is organic dementia the same as Alzheimer's disease? What does the term "organic" refer to? What is the relationship between organic psychosis and organic dementia? Thank you, doctor.
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Alzheimer's disease is classified as a primary form of dementia, excluding all secondary causes such as stroke, encephalitis, tumors, trauma, and metabolic disorders. Organic dementia refers to dementia caused by identifiable factors, such as those mentioned above.[Read More] Understanding Organic Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: Key Differences
Prescription Guidelines for Dementia Medications: A Neurology Perspective
Prescription Issues in Dementia Hello, doctor: I would like to ask about the medications Aiyixin, Yisining, and Liyiling. How long is the usual prescription for these medications? Can they be obtained through a chronic disease prescription? Thank you for taking the time to answer...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Medications for dementia are typically prescribed for a maximum of one month, after which patients return for follow-up appointments to monitor their response and changes in their condition. Some physicians in hospitals may issue chronic prescriptions, but this is usually for the...[Read More] Prescription Guidelines for Dementia Medications: A Neurology Perspective
Choosing the Right Cholinesterase Inhibitor for Dementia Patients
Issues with Dementia Medications Hello, doctor: May I ask how the choice of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors covered by health insurance, such as Donepezil, Rivastigmine, and Galantamine, is typically determined for patients? Is there a specific order for prescribing these three m...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Based on the patient's dementia symptoms and accompanying related symptoms, the physician will have appropriate options. As for the order, your first choice can actually be used for patients with moderate to severe dementia; many patients experience improvement all at once. ...[Read More] Choosing the Right Cholinesterase Inhibitor for Dementia Patients
Can Alzheimer's Medications Treat Other Dementia Types?
Alzheimer's disease medication issues? Hello, doctor: May I ask if the dementia medications covered by health insurance, donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Reminyl), are all aimed at treating cognitive function? Are these medications only for patien...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
According to the pharmacological effects, as you mentioned, there is significant assistance for cognitive function. Other types of dementia may be mixed types, and some may also include Alzheimer's-related brain changes; in such cases, there should be a certain degree of eff...[Read More] Can Alzheimer's Medications Treat Other Dementia Types?
Understanding Chronic Fatigue and Neurological Symptoms in Young Adults
Brain fog and irritability? Hello, Doctor: I usually go to bed around 11 PM and tend to feel anxious. However, I experience daily symptoms of dizziness, nasal congestion, frequent yawning and tearing, irritability, fatigue, and cold extremities, often feeling excessively sleepy. ...
Dr. Jiang Junyi Reply:
Hello, based on your description, it may be necessary to consider sleep disorders. Common causes include obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: habitual snoring, nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils, family members noticing breathing pauses, and a persistent feeling of not being well-re...[Read More] Understanding Chronic Fatigue and Neurological Symptoms in Young Adults
Alternatives to Alzheimer's Medication: Options When Insurance Denies Coverage
Dementia degeneration Your mother has been using the medication (Aicardi) for dementia for some time. This time, the health insurance did not approve the medication. It is recommended to either purchase it out of pocket or consider discontinuing it, or if there are other alternat...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
There are other dementia medications that can be considered. Since Aiyuxin has not been effective, it indicates that the dementia symptoms have continued to worsen to a certain extent after using this medication. You may want to discuss with your attending physician whether your ...[Read More] Alternatives to Alzheimer's Medication: Options When Insurance Denies Coverage
Concussion and Dementia: Understanding Long-Term Risks After Injury
Concussion and Dementia Hello, I had a concussion from a car accident two years ago, but there was no intracranial hemorrhage. I recovered after a month, but I am worried if this could lead to dementia in the future. Thank you.
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
According to literature statistics, a single concussion does not increase the likelihood of developing dementia later on; however, repeated concussions do increase the risk of developing dementia, Parkinson's disease, or depression in the future.[Read More] Concussion and Dementia: Understanding Long-Term Risks After Injury
Choosing the Right Fish Oil: Benefits for Brain Health and Recovery
Choosing Fish Oil Hello, Doctor: I would like to ask if fish oil and cod liver oil are the same or different? What is the role of omega-3 in fish oil? How should I choose a pollution-free and effective fish oil? What is the proper way to take it? I have previously suffered a brai...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Fish oil primarily has health benefits in improving cardiovascular diseases by lowering LDL-C and triglycerides. Regarding neurological aspects, some literature suggests partial efficacy for memory and dementia, but it is not considered a standard treatment. Recently, there has b...[Read More] Choosing the Right Fish Oil: Benefits for Brain Health and Recovery
Understanding the Risks of Brain Atrophy After Concussion: What You Need to Know
Cerebral atrophy inquiry? Hello, Doctor. I have been experiencing dizziness due to a concussion, but I have gradually returned to normal after about six weeks. An MRI examination was also normal (no bleeding). I found some research reports online indicating that concussions may l...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Concussions can increase the likelihood of developing dementia in the future, particularly in cases of repetitive head impacts, such as those experienced by boxers who are frequently struck in the head. The probability of a single impact leading to this outcome is extremely low. ...[Read More] Understanding the Risks of Brain Atrophy After Concussion: What You Need to Know
Managing Aggression in Dementia Patients: Can Nitrous Oxide Help?
Dementia patients My mother is a patient with dementia. According to the assessment by a doctor at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, she is in the severe stage. Our family is exhausted from caregiving. Every day from noon to 5 PM, my mother screams and yells, driving everyone to the ...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Frequent use of nitrous oxide can damage the nerves, and symptoms of dementia-related behavioral changes should be reported to the attending physician. The physician can provide recommendations regarding medication or lifestyle adjustments. Using nitrous oxide recklessly may exac...[Read More] Managing Aggression in Dementia Patients: Can Nitrous Oxide Help?
Understanding Hypertension: Impact on Cognitive Function and Recovery Strategies
Hypertension issues Hello, doctor. I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder at the age of twenty-three due to stress factors. Since then, my blood pressure has often been elevated, and I am currently taking antihypertensive medication. I would like to a...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
There are many causes of cognitive decline. First, it is important to determine whether it is genuine cognitive decline or merely a pseudodementia caused by anxiety, mood disorders, stress, or medication. If it is indeed genuine, it is relatively uncommon at this age, and it may ...[Read More] Understanding Hypertension: Impact on Cognitive Function and Recovery Strategies
Understanding Transient Amnesia: Causes and Concerns for Seniors
Transient global amnesia Hello Doctor, my father is 60 years old. The day before yesterday, he woke up and forgot the date, repeatedly asking what day it was. He couldn't remember events from yesterday or the past, but he was clear about people and places. He went to the hos...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Dear Ms. Chen, the symptoms you described are generally referred to as Transient Global Amnesia (TGA). The exact etiology is not completely understood, but it is often associated with temporary vascular obstruction or focal seizures. This condition is quite different from Dementi...[Read More] Understanding Transient Amnesia: Causes and Concerns for Seniors
Understanding Fatigue and Sleepiness in Dementia Patients
Elderly individuals with dementia may experience fatigue and excessive sleepiness? My father has had dementia for many years and is continuously taking medication. In the past six months, he has experienced increasing fatigue and excessive sleepiness, appearing lethargic througho...
Dr. Zheng Zhiwen Reply:
Hello: There is too little information available to determine the nature of the problem. Many elderly individuals are becoming increasingly frail, which may be due to inadequate nutrition or some infections. It is recommended to visit a general internist for further evaluation. W...[Read More] Understanding Fatigue and Sleepiness in Dementia Patients
Understanding Hallucinations and Self-Talk in Elderly Patients
Soliloquy Hello Doctor, My grandmother is 83 years old and has a history of heart disease and hypertension. Currently, she is experiencing hallucinations, talking to herself, trembling hands, loss of appetite, and weakness in her legs, although she still has sensation (the hall...
Dr. Lan Shengxing Reply:
Hello Ayong, the symptoms mentioned are quite numerous. If we consider the history of heart disease and hypertension, side effects from medications such as hyponatremia and hypokalemia, or complications from diseases such as stroke, could potentially cause similar symptoms. Addit...[Read More] Understanding Hallucinations and Self-Talk in Elderly Patients
Understanding Headaches Before Sleep: Could It Be a Brain Tumor?
Headache Before Sleep (Part 1) Is brain tumor common in a 14-year-old boy? Sometimes I experience pain accompanied by nausea, but I can't vomit. Could this be a sign of a brain tumor? Although I don't wake up in pain and have no seizures, lying down doesn't make th...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
The likelihood of an average person (without a family history) developing a brain tumor is low. Young individuals may be prone to specific types of brain tumors, while older adults may also have certain types that are more common. Symptoms such as gait disturbances, unilateral nu...[Read More] Understanding Headaches Before Sleep: Could It Be a Brain Tumor?
Understanding Nighttime Headaches: Causes and Concerns for Teens
Headache before bedtime? A 14-year-old male has been experiencing frequent headaches after 11 PM, specifically pain in the area around the temples and extending to the back of the head. The pain seems to lessen when resting the back of the head against something or lying on a pil...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
This type of headache is more akin to tension-type headache. Headaches associated with hypertension typically feel like a sensation of pressure in the head, often accompanied by dizziness and high blood pressure. Sometimes, there may also be nausea and vomiting. Headaches caused ...[Read More] Understanding Nighttime Headaches: Causes and Concerns for Teens
Caring for an Elderly Relative with Dementia: Tips and Medication Options
Dementia in the elderly Your grandmother is 81 years old and has recently started to have difficulty recognizing the way home. The family is usually busy with work and has previously suggested hiring a caregiver, but there is a lack of trust in that option. How should we care for...
Dr. Gao Chunde Reply:
Dementia, aside from degeneration, can also be caused by identifiable factors that lead to cognitive decline and memory loss. In some cases, certain medications may be responsible for these symptoms. It is advisable to first consult a neurologist to identify and address any manag...[Read More] Caring for an Elderly Relative with Dementia: Tips and Medication Options
Understanding Neurological Pain and Cognitive Impairment: A Patient's Guide
Neuropathic pain, paralysis, and cognitive sluggishness? Hello Dr. Liu: In the past few months, I have been experiencing nerve pain and numbness in the front part of my left brain. When I think for too long, these symptoms appear, leading to cognitive difficulties (dementia, memo...
Dr. Liu Zhiyang Reply:
Headaches and facial nerve paralysis may be unrelated symptoms. It is recommended to visit a neurology clinic for examination and treatment. Sincerely, Dr. Liu Chih-Yang, Attending Physician, Taoyuan Hospital, Ministry of Health and Welfare.[Read More] Understanding Neurological Pain and Cognitive Impairment: A Patient's Guide
Understanding White Spots in the Brain After Stroke: Causes and Concerns
Stroke - Follow-up examination reveals white spots? The patient is approximately 55 years old and had a stroke about four years ago. They have been undergoing rehabilitation in the hospital, but during a recent follow-up examination, white spots were discovered in the brain. The ...
Dr. Huang Yongquan Reply:
Hello: Based on the description of your issue, it is difficult to determine the specific condition. Please bring a copy of the imaging studies for a discussion during your outpatient visit. Thank you.[Read More] Understanding White Spots in the Brain After Stroke: Causes and Concerns
Effective Strategies for Preventing and Managing Dementia
How to prevent and treat dementia? Hello, my mother is 46 years old and often forgets things, with the situation becoming increasingly severe. I would like to know what methods can be used in daily life to prevent dementia, and if there are any suspicions, how should we proceed w...
Dr. Lin Zijing Reply:
Regular exercise, a balanced diet, maintaining a normal daily routine, keeping a positive and optimistic mindset, avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and engaging in mental activities such as reading, doing math, playing chess, card games, and chatting with friend...[Read More] Effective Strategies for Preventing and Managing Dementia