My Mom has been taking some sleeping pills for some 3 mths now and she now shows some early symptoms of early-stage AD (short-term memory loss, anxiety, and sometimes very mild depression). She is 73 yrs old.
Thx much.
2006-08-02 17:52:07 · 11 answers · asked by Eric H 2 in Health ➔ Mental Health
no. they don't. could be that she just has it, sleeping pills or not.
2006-08-02 17:56:29 · answer #1 · answered by Just Gone 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see how. Those could be side effects of the drugs, in which case it wouldn't be Alzheimer's (early onset Alzheimer's is genetic & strikes people in their 30's and 40's--if your mom did indeed have AD it would be regular AD).
If you are really concerned have a doctor administer the cognitive tests and also have him/her review your mom's medication to see if it could cause those symptoms.
Alzheimer's is a denerative condition of the brain. It doesn't come from outside sources.
2006-08-02 23:46:40 · answer #2 · answered by Gevera Bert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sleeping pills may be causing some confusion which can look like Alzhiemers. Depression may also cause what's called "pseudo-dementia" or false depression. These are common occurances in elderly people who are more susceptible to the least little changes in their environment (sleeping pills, depression, a urinary tract infection, constipation, etc.) I recommend you gently mention the symptoms you've noticed to her then go with her to a psychiatrist (ideally one who specializes in geriatrics, or older people) who can help you sort through all of the things you've mentioned. It may require a few days off the sleeping pills to see if she clears up. If not, she may need further treatment. If it is Alzheimers, there are medications out now that may help slow the progression of the disease. Of course, a lack of good sleep may also be causing memory loss, anxiety and depression. A general practitioner or family practitioner may not have the in-depth knowledge needed to determine what is truly the causative factor. Good luck!
2006-08-02 18:05:46 · answer #3 · answered by Lizza 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as one who has studied memory psychology extensively (because i want to have a sharp memory), it is very common for people to mistake bad memory for alzheimer's. in fact, anxiety is one of the main causes of memory loss... so the two are linked.
while at your mother's age, alzheimer's is more common, i don't necessarily think sleeping pills would be the cause.
if you are concerned with your mother's memory problems, find puzzles and memory games that she can work that will help her memory improve. one's memory is like any other muscle in the body... through constant use and working out, it can only get better, but if it is not worked it will deteriorate.
2006-08-02 17:58:18 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would call her doctor and ask if these sleeping pills have that side effect. If they do, her prescription needs to be changed. If not, take her to a neurologist, and have her checked to make sure that she hasn't had a stroke. Cat scan, etc. The diagnosis for altzheimer's is done by ruling everything else out. They do have drugs that help with altzheimers. Good luck.
2006-08-02 18:07:01 · answer #5 · answered by mightymite1957 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, there's no link between sleeping pills and alzheimers.. it is more a hereditary disease, and also based on complex factors, most of which are not fully understood.
some thing that might help are increasing her fish intake, and omega 3.. they are supposed to be good for slowing the process. also herbs like ginko bilboa..
good luck.
2006-08-02 18:00:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That no attempt is wasted, no longer something found out performed or made is ineffective, each and every person is complicated and are under no circumstances what they look, each and every person has motives in spite of if or no longer they are conscious of it or no longer, for some thing to exist it should be led to- this is going for strikes thoughts and each thing else in existence,i ought to constantly do each and every thing to the main suitable I my ability, each and every thing does not ought to contain thoughts, sleep is effectual, and the purpose to existence is happiness yet, in spite of the incontrovertible fact that lazy somebody is they're able to no longer be idle an in spite of the incontrovertible fact that hardworking they're, they nonetheless ought to end and have effectual moments of absorption of the sweetness around them.
2016-10-01 10:13:07 · answer #7 · answered by kelcey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Good question. I hope you find the answer your looking for. I have had a family member with alzheimers and its not fun...
2006-08-02 18:00:40 · answer #8 · answered by jamie s 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think so. I take them every now and then, watch out for ambien it ***** with your head.
2006-08-02 17:57:01 · answer #9 · answered by Pro-filmmaker 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the label
2006-08-02 17:54:59 · answer #10 · answered by Scape Goat 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋