Dementia Definition and the Truth About Reversible Dementia

Dementia, Is it really a disease?

No. The true dementia definition is a “group of symptoms”. This group of symptoms includes memory loss, difficulty with problem-solving, personality changes, poor judgment, short attention span, and confusion, among others. Challenging behaviors such as wandering, hoarding, paranoia or harm to self and others may also be exhibited. Think of the dementia definition as a nonspecific term with many variations.  

This blog is a brief summary of dementia definition, focusing on reversible and irreversible dementia.  I could never begin to cover all of the aspects of dementia in only a few minutes so let’s focus on facts about dementia that you may not know.  

There are two types of dementia:  reversible and irreversible.  Yes, some dementia is reversible.  I know you are probably thinking that dementia is not curable; however, once you understand the two types it will make more sense.  Reversible dementia includes the group of symptoms, but once the cause is treated, the dementia is reversed.  

For example, a urinary tract infection (UTI) may exhibit personality changes, confusion and forgetfulness, especially in an older adult.  Once the UTI is properly diagnosed and treated, the group of symptoms resolve, making it reversible.  

Another example is hearing loss.  I have worked with clients who present with what appears to be confusion and memory loss, simply because they couldn’t hear what was being said.  You can imagine that the response to a question that you cannot hear may have an answer that is not appropriate.  An easy fix with an audiologic exam and hearing aids reverses this type of dementia.

The irreversible dementia definition includes diagnoses such as Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Multi-infarct Dementia or Lewy Body Dementia.  Most are familiar with Alzheimer’s Disease which is the most common form of irreversible dementia.  The symptoms here cannot be reversed, and a progressive cognitive and physical decline will follow.  Once someone has been diagnosed with an irreversible dementia, the progression varies from one person to another.  

Not everyone will present with the same group of symptoms, and not everyone will enter each stage of dementia or stay in a particular stage the same amount of time.  This validates why the plan of care should be person-centered and individualized.  

In order to be diagnosed with an irreversible dementia, the health care professional will complete a thorough exam that includes taking medical history and conducting many tests.  These tests may include lab studies, imaging such as a CT scan, or memory evaluations like a mini-cog test.  These tests are ordered to rule out that the cause for the group of symptoms could be something besides irreversible dementia.  

The only definitive way to diagnose an irreversible dementia is by an autopsy; therefore, it’s so important that the right health care professional evaluate, diagnosis and treat.  Can you imagine if an infection was causing the change in behavior, but it wasn’t being treated?  Or on the other hand, an irreversible dementia was causing the change, but the treatment is an antibiotic? 

Hopefully, you now understand the different between reversible and irreversible dementia and the dementia definition.  The takeaway here is that if someone is presenting with the group of symptoms we reviewed above, and the cause is unknown, they should receive a thorough evaluation by a health care professional who is an expert in dementia.  

Take the time to research the best candidate, and if you need a point in the right direction, contact a health care navigator who is familiar with the health care system, is knowledgeable about the dementia definition, and is aware of the resources in your community.

Interested in learning more about Wellness Strategies Group dementia care services?  Find more here: https://wellnessstrategiesgroup.com/services/ 

Find the CDC’s dementia definition here: https://www.cdc.gov/aging/dementia/index.html#:~:text=Dementia%20is%20not%20a%20specific,most%20common%20type%20of%20dementia.