Resolved question:
My 67 year old mother, who has been bed-ridden for the last 16 years, due to weakness in the legs after a spine surgery started complaining of memory loss and repetition of words. A physician saw her and he diagnosed her case of dementia. She was asked to do an MRI of the brain and the report says: "old infarcts noted in left lentiform nucleus, bilateral thalami, body of left caudate nucleus and right carona radiata. Old infarct noted in pons". Please advise me on way forward as we don't have specialists here in the Maldives who could deal such cases. You early response and a remedy would be highly appreciated.
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Hello, the symptoms that you have described are probably suggestive of a condition known as Dementia. It is a condition that occurs above the age of 65 years and commonly seen in women where a range of symptoms such as memory loss, reduced thinking, decreased mental capacity and judgment. There are different types of dementia such as Alzheimer s, low body dementia, vascular dementia, fronto temporal dementia. Other diseases associated with dementia are Huntington s disease; Traumatic brain injury, secondary dementia, and HIV associated dementia, Creutzfelt Jacob disease. There are certain types of dementia that can be reversed like infections and immune disorders, metabolic and endocrine abnormalities, poisoning. If it is diagnosed early and they get the right treatment and support they can lead an active and fulfilled life. Memorizing a short list of objects and then repeat and asking them to recite a short sentences for days and months can improve the memory .You can also get a complete blood test including thyroid function tests, Vitamin B12 assay, CT scan, MRI scan and PET scan, EEG and a lumbar puncture. Complications that you normally come across are inadequate nutrition, reduced hygiene, detoriation of emotional health, delusions and hallucinations .I would suggest you to consult your doctor for further management. Thank you.