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Anosognosia and Alzheimer’s Disease

Anosognosia, pronounced ‘uh-no-sog-NOH-zee-uh’, is a condition that sometimes affects people with Alzheimer’s disease which impairs their ability to understand that they are being affected by an illness. In etymology, anosognosia means “to not know a disease” in Greek: a- (without) + nosos (disease) + gnosis (knowledge). Thus, anosognosia is more than just denial is a complex condition that can vary in severity over time. Your loved one may have more recognition of their condition at times, and other times have a total lack of awareness. This varying degree of awareness...

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Sundowners Syndrome: Causes and Symptoms

Sundown syndrome sounds as mysterious as it is. The medical industry does not have definitive proof as to what causes sundown syndrome, however, there is evidence of specific triggers that causes behavioral changes. This behaviour shift predominately affects elderly people with forms of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease during the time of sunset and can manifest in increased confusion, agitation, mood swings, and memory loss. Sundown Syndrome Sundowners or Sundown Syndrome is a term used to describe a behaviour shift in people with dementia during the transition from daylight to...

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Signs That Your Elderly Loved One May Need Overnight Care

Seniors have lived a long and full life and may take pride in their independence, especially if they are still living in their own homes. This may seem like an accomplishment to them, and it may be difficult for them to admit they are having trouble with solo living. They may not be upfront with their loved ones about the challenges they are facing as they want to maintain their independence, and they do not want to worry you. There are signs to look for when assessing the degree to...

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Alzheimer’s: Repetitive Behavior – Causes and How to Respond

Repetition is one of the behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s. A person with Alzheimer’s may fixate on a specific phrase or action and repeat it over and over to self-soothe. As well, they may focus on undoing chore such as unmaking a bed, which can be troubling for them and their caregivers. An elder with Alzheimer’s may show these behaviors and these rituals may be performed as a means to recreate familiarity, comfort during moments of anxiety and cope with their emotional state. As these actions in repetition can be concerning...

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Common Misconceptions about Brain Injuries

Brain injuries can occur in anyone at any age. Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are very common, especially in the elderly. A simple fall in your elderly loved one’s home can result in a TBI. Brain injuries can also occur from car accidents or from a blow to the head. Your brain is a delicate organ that is protected only by the thin lattice of bone in your skull. A simple hit to the head can cause your brain to float around inside of your skull and hit the bone. If...

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Causes, Signs and Types of Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injury is any type of injury that disrupts the function of the brain. Usually, traumatic brain injuries occur after someone has endured a blow or jolt to the head. They can also occur if an object penetrates the skull. Even so, not all blows to the head result in a traumatic brain injury. For a head or brain injury to be defined as a traumatic brain injury the patient must have a change in their overall function or personality. These changes can last for a few hours with...

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Conditions that Resemble Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating disease that affects a large percentage of the elderly population around the world. It causes degeneration of an essential part of your brain that affects motor control and movement. In turn, patients with Parkinson’s disease lose the ability to control their movements and often have shaking limbs. Medications can help treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, but they cannot cure the disease. Patients with Parkinson’s often have many different complications that affect their ability to move and think properly. Unfortunately, many other conditions resemble Parkinson’s...

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What Your Nails are Telling You about Your Health

Your nails can actually tell you and your doctor a lot about your health. Most people do not pay much attention to their nails. Women tend to file and polish their nails, while men simply cut theirs and let them be. For this reason, most people do not pay attention to changes in their nails. A perfectly manicured set of nails shows that someone is clean, hygienic and healthy. But what happens when those nails do not look so hot? Here are a few common issues that occur with nails...

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Headaches Causes – What Your Headache Might Mean

Headaches are one of the most common medical complaints among any age group. They can hit you at any time and range from a small twinge to horrible pain that leaves you in bed all day. Headaches come in many varieties and can be the result of numerous different causes. Most often, they result from something going wrong somewhere in the body. Often, headaches are not serious and they are simply triggered by stress, a small cold, a hangover or from being overly tired or hungry. However, in some cases,...

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What Your Skin Can Tell You about Your Health

Your skin is your largest organ, and because of this, your skin can really tell you a lot about your health. Your skin protects you against bacteria, regulates your body temperature, and has numerous pain, pressure, and temperature receptors that keep your whole body protected. It is no surprise that when something is wrong with your body on the inside, your skin can send you many warning signs. Here are a few things that your skin may be telling you about your health. If you notice any of these symptoms,...

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