Coconut oil likely won’t help memory loss

April 28, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I would like to know what you know about pure coconut oil being a good supplement for improving several kinds of dementia. My husband and I are both in our early 80s and don’t have many health problems but recently we have been concerned about memory problems. We saw a webmail and video about a doctor’s husband having Alzheimer’s. She gave him pure coconut oil and he improved over a period of time. Our primary doctors have given us both memory tests and will be checking us regularly in follow-up.

DEAR READER: Coconut oil is a tropical oil made from the nut of the coconut palm tree. One single tablespoon of the oil contains 117 calories – not a big deal – but 13.6 grams of fat, which is. Over the years the product has been touted as a cure-all for hypothyroidism, heart health, Alzheimer’s disease, as an energy boost, weight loss product, and a great deal more. [Read more...]

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Can any product really help the aging brain?

December 31, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have seen ads about Procera AVH for memory help. Do you have an opinion or know of any other “something” that might help?

DEAR READER: As we age, the brain loses its capability to function at optimal capacity. It has millions of neurotransmitters, vital for communication. With aging, those neurotransmitters become damaged, resulting in poor concentration and decreased memory capabilities.

Procera AVH is touted as a brain health supplement for anyone who suffers from poor memory, has mental fatigue, or difficulty focusing. It’s a non-prescription supplement developed by a clinical research scientist and a physician who have teamed up with neurosurgeons, [Read more...]

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Are sodium level and memory loss linked?

November 14, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Can memory loss be caused by a sodium level of 120?

DEAR READER: Sodium is a mineral vital to normal body functioning. It maintains appropriate water and mineral balances and assists nerves and muscles. It is naturally found in grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy and meats in low amounts. Most processed foods have high amounts of salt to enhance flavor and many people add salt to food, either during cooking or once at the table. Sodium is commonly consumed at five times the required amount. For this reason, consequences of high sodium intakes and blood levels are the most commonly discussed issues.
[Read more...]

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Ativan can affect memory

September 29, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Your article on Ativan was interesting and informative. From a personal point of view, I would like to tell you that my wife, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease for some 12 years now, was prescribed Ativan while recovering from a radical mastectomy/chemotherapy/radiation. The prescription continued for six years.

During an evaluation at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI Gerontology Center, she was advised that Ativan is a destroyer of short-term memory. That fact and the damage done to the entire body by chemo and by estrogen earlier in prior years, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle, all played a part in the development of Alzheimer’s, in my opinion.
[Read more...]

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Research advances support staying the course

May 21, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My 73-year-old father seems rather forgetful these days. When I took him to his doctor, he was diagnosed with pre-Alzheimer’s disease. I’ve heard of Alzheimer’s, but what exactly is pre-Alzheimer’s?

DEAR READER: It is estimated that more than 5 million Americans suffer from a form of Alzheimer’s, the leading cause of dementia in the Western world. There are new guidelines available for diagnosing early-stage Alzheimer’s (pre-Alzheimer’s), indicating that a state of mental decline can begin years prior to the occurrence of other, more classic symptoms.
[Read more...]

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Drug trial doesn’t help Alzheimer’s patient

May 12, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s dementia about five years ago. The current drugs being prescribed are galantamine, Namenda and citalopram. Other than Alzheimer’s, her overall health is good.

Shortly after being diagnosed, she placed in her age class at the Bloomsday road race. We were both runners. Anyway, her height is 5 feet 5 inches, her weight is 115 pounds, and her blood pressure is normal.
Is there any other possible course of treatment? We have been to specialists and more. We did participate in the failed dimebon trial.
[Read more...]

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Sundowner’s linked to Alzheimer’s

May 5, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Please write something on sundowner’s syndrome. It seems as though this is fairly common. Thank you for all the great information I have read.

DEAR READER: Sundowner’s, or sundowning, is confusion that generally occurs late in the day, although it has been known to occur during early-morning hours as well. The cause appears elusive and is often misunderstood.

The disorder is commonly seen in hospital or nursing-home settings where an older individual may be forced to adjust to a different setting. Or, in some cases, it can manifest following illness or surgery. Sundowner’s may be temporary for some but prolonged in other instances. [Read more...]

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Alzheimer’s link concerns daughter

April 8, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I recently had an MRI that showed some brain atrophy. A few days ago, I read a report that people whose mothers had Alzheimer’s show more rapid progression of brain atrophy.

I’m 67, and my mother had what I believe was the Alzheimer’s/vascular combo dementia. No autopsy was performed. She showed symptoms in her early 70s, died at 85, and had two sisters who also had dementia.
The recent MRI will have to be my “base.” How soon should I have another to monitor possible deterioration? What is the probability of me getting Alzheimer’s?
[Read more...]

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TGA an uncommon disorder

February 22, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Could you please talk about transient global amnesia? I have never seen this discussed in your column before. Thank you.

DEAR READER: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a rare event that causes sudden, temporary loss of memory. It is often accompanied by repetitive questioning. It is not associated with the more common causes of amnesia such as stroke.

For a positive diagnosis, the patient must meet a set of criteria. He or she must retain knowledge of personal identity and have normal cognition (naming familiar objects, following simple instructions, etc.); the event must be verified by a witness; there cannot be a history of active epilepsy, a recent head injury or the presence of seizures during the episode; the event cannot last more than 24 hours; testing and examination will not reveal signs of brain damage; and, finally, the patient must experience a gradual return of memory.
[Read more...]

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Alzheimer’s a concern for the aged

December 30, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have an average of three dreams nightly, some of which are upsetting. This started after my wife passed away. I dream about her a lot, but there are many other dreams such as losing my way and trying to get back home, worrying about my family worrying about me, losing my billfold, car being stolen, coming out of church and can’t find the car, church happenings and many other miscellaneous things. I sometimes wonder if this is the doorway to Alzheimer’s. I’m 90 years old and a World War II veteran. I don’t think my problem is normal, but my doctor can’t help me so I will have to rely on you.

DEAR READER: The gradual loss of brain cells causes Alzheimer’s. As we age, we tend to take longer to think things out, yet learning, memory skills, intelligence, judgment and organizational skills should remain intact. Once these skills diminish, when there is trouble with long- and short-term memory loss, remembering names and finding appropriate words, it may be an indication of early Alzheimer’s.
[Read more...]

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