DEAR DR. GOTT: My sister and I are concerned about our 75-year-old brother. He has minor memory loss but for the past year it seems to be getting worse. During conversations he simply stops talking, gets a blank look on his face for a few seconds and then starts talking again about a different subject. Very often he can’t find the right words to say or has trouble remembering certain words. When we try in a subtle way mentioning this to him, he gets very defensive and has even accused us of thinking he can’t take care of himself.
We’ve said a few things to his wife, but don’t want to discuss it too much with her any more because she’s a hypochondriac. She just goes to church, falls down and says the Lord has healed her. She is no help in this situation, even though she’s 10 years younger than our brother.
Do you have any suggestions on how we can help him without alienating them both? Could his problem be early stage Alzheimer’s, medications or just aging? He has diabetes, consults several herbalists and takes herbs that we think are questionable and unnecessary.
I know this isn’t giving you enough information but our main concern is the blank looks like he’s gone from us for a few seconds and then snaps back like nothing happened. Any information you can give us will be greatly appreciated.
DEAR READER: Your brother needs a diagnosis from his primary care physician who should have a complete record of his medical history. I would recommend your brother be referred to a neurologist as the next step.
While you mention diabetes and medications, you don’t indicate if he is on something for his diabetes or if there are other conditions that might have a bearing.
If he were on more than one medication, the combination might have an adverse effect and present with periods of confusion.
He is 75 and could have early stage dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy (or similar seizure disorder) or others. Dementia is a deterioration of a mental state with a variety of causes. Some herbs can cause dementia-like symptoms. Epilepsy may consist only of a fleeting loss of consciousness, rather than seizure activity. Lacking other symptoms, I believe Parkinson’s can be ruled out. As you can see, a diagnosis must be made.
Because of Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) rules, you probably will not be able to discuss this with your brother’s physician (you can write a letter of concern and report his symptoms, etc., however). Therefore, I suggest you both get your sister-in-law off the floor, in a good frame of mind and express your concerns. Perhaps you can then accompany your brother to his next doctor’s visit where you can speak freely with his physician. I am sure he will ultimately appreciate the caring position you’ve taken.
To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Alzheimer’s Disease”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.
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