Cognitive impairment is a common fear, especially as we start to get older. The thought of losing memory or the ability to express emotions is terrifying. But what causes this impairment and can it be reversed?
What Causes Cognitive Impairment
There are multiple reasons why someone might develop a condition like Alzheimer’s or Dementia. For example, it might be linked to dietary issues or exercise levels. However, you can also get UTI cognitive impairment. If this is the case, you will often notice a sudden behavior change. Because of this, it’s important to get a doctor to check out any potential infections. There are a few symptoms to look for. Sometimes, this can include a stinging sensation when you are using the toilet or darker urine.
Sometimes cognitive impairment can occur fairly suddenly. This can sometimes happen as the result of a traumatic brain injury. For example, a hit to the head can trigger bleeding. Sometimes, a stroke will lead to cognitive impairment.
There are a few common diagnostic signals that a doctor can turn to. First, they will often look at an MRI. There are a few areas of the brain that are of most interest. For example, they will be looking at the hippocampus. This is the part of the brain that stores memories, if you have a cognitive impairment, this section will often shrink.
Another common issue is a lack of blood flow in your brain. Sometimes, these flow issues will be caused by blocked arteries. Lack of blood flow will cause a lot of issues that are associated with cognitive impairment. For example, it might be the reason why you have slurred speech, or have lost your balance.
Treating Cognitive Impairment
There are a few cognitive impairment treatment options. Sometimes, you will need to take medications. These are designed to change the chemical levels in your brain. Specifically, they are designed to increase memory.
At other times, you will need to work with an occupational therapist. It will be their role to help you adjust the workplace to better suit your condition. They can also change your environment to help you deal with your condition. This support will usually be ongoing.
However, one of the most promising treatment options is using hyperbaric oxygen therapy for cognitive impairment. This is designed to help you improve the flow of blood to your brain. This can have a profound impact. It will be able to help control inflammation. But can cognitive decline be reversed? This will depend on what is causing the impairment. If it is something like a stroke, hyperbaric chambers might be able to help. For something like dementia or Alzheimer’s, the treatment won’t be able to reverse the damage. But it will be able to help slow the progression of the illness.
Conclusion
Cognitive brain impairment can come in many forms and occur for many reasons. They all have one similarity, though, they can have a profound impact on your life. The good news is that there are some treatment options you can explore. Sometimes, these will be able to reverse the damage. At other times, though, you will just be able to slow the progression of the illness.
