Dehydration could be the First Cause of Memory Loss on Elderly People

Contrary to what is a common standard regarding how people over 65 years could be affected by memory deterioration, it is really alarming that some people who were cataloged as a possible Alzheimer’s case could be just a dehydration case.

Knowing that Alzheimer disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent, incapacitating and severe cause of dementia and loss of memory worldwide could be very useful put into practice strategies to prevent its symptoms onset and whichever neuronal progressive deterioration.

There are investigations that support the hypothesis that one of the most common causes of confusion, disorientation, and delirium in elderly people could be electrolytic disequilibrium and dehydration, because most of them are receiving diuretics to treat cardiovascular diseases as high blood pressure or congestive heart failure. However, such facts could be only the beginning of the neuronal deterioration in association with additional factors.

Having into account that dehydration could be the explanation of such signs and symptoms it is essential that either caregiver as health workers manage this hypothesis and work together to improve the body fluids balance replenishing any loss.

Even when the medical science has advanced considerably to ensure the earliest treatment as possible and there is an outstanding protocol to determine the truly AD diagnosis in the patients including accurate specific biomarkers it is still the palliative therapy the most used strategy to address this condition instead of the prevention of the progressive neuronal deterioration representing a real challenge to patients, families, and caregivers at the end.

Some investigators have highlighted the fact that exams of some brains postmortem previously diagnosed with AD have hallmarks compatibles with lack of adequate nutrients as docosahexaenoic acid DHA known as an essential oil to reduce the neuronal deterioration during the aging process. For a long time, we have underestimated the need for nutrients intake, having as consequence progressive damage of cells and tissues by preventable causes, having at the end disabilities and death.

For that reason and in a way to reduce the possibilities of neuronal deterioration as result of the normal aging process, it is indispensable to ensure the elderly hydration and adequate nutrition as a preventive strategy to avoid neuronal deterioration and AD. As caregivers, health workers, and patients’ family is important to keep on our minds this subject providing the resources that our loved ones need to enjoy wellness and quality of life that is our goal at the end.

References

1. Mohajeri H, Troesch B. Inadequate supply of vitamins and DHA in the elderly: Implications for brain aging and Alzheimer-type dementia. . 2015; 31(2) 261-275. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nut.2014.06.016

#memory #dehydration #AD #Alzheimer