DEAR DR. GOTT:
I hope you can help me with an issue that has been bothering me.
To the best of my knowledge there is no test for Alzheimer’s disease. It can only be diagnosed after death so how is it that people and doctors can say that someone’s symptoms are caused by it? How is it that a doctor can say that someone has early Alzheimer’s if there is no test for diagnosis? Is he or she simply guessing or assuming? I also would like to know about NPH which also has no test or diagnosis until after death.
DEAR READER:
You are mistaken. While you are correct that Alzheimer’s has no medical test, it can be diagnosed based on symptoms. Certain criteria must be met to make the diagnosis; however, it does not have to be a mystery illness, diagnosed only after death.
As for Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH), tests, primarily MRI, are available to confirm a diagnosis.
Dementia has many causes including simple vitamin deficiency, Alzheimer’s, NPH or even alcoholism. It is important that the affected individual be examined by a neurologist.
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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