Over 50 million people around the globe suffer from dementia, and it is currently the seventh leading cause of death in the world.
According to a new study, a small percentage of dementia patients have actually been misdiagnosed and actually suffer from a treatable liver disease.
Misdiagnosed Dementia
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dementia is a general term for symptoms associated with declining cognitive abilities, including difficulty thinking, memory loss, and declining ability to solve problems.
Around 55 million people around the world currently live with dementia, with experts suggesting this number will rise to 139 million by 2050.
What Causes Dementia?
Several different diseases can cause dementia, according to the NHS. Many of these stem from an excessive build-up of particular proteins in the brain.
However, according to a new study, millions of people who suffer from symptoms of dementia may actually have a treatable liver disease.
Researchers Make Shocking Dementia Observation
Researchers working at Virginia Commonwealth University released a paper that analyzed over 175,000 U.S. veterans who had been diagnosed with dementia from 2009 to 2019.
What they found was that one in 10 of the participants also had signs of a severe liver condition known as hepatic encephalopathy (HE).
What Is Hepatic Encephalopathy?
Hepatic encephalopathy is a condition in which the liver has been damaged and scarred over a long period.
This can occur due to several factors, such as excessive alcohol consumption, fatty deposits, or even the hepatitis virus.
Damage to the Liver Leads to Toxic Build-Up
Over time, damage to the liver from hepatic encephalopathy can halt the organ’s primary functions, such as detoxifying the blood.
After enough time, this will force toxins to build up and eventually reach the brain, bringing on dementia-like symptoms.
Liver Disease Can Be Difficult to Diagnose
Unfortunately, HE can be challenging to diagnose, as not all patients with scarring on their liver have the disease.
Symptoms are mild and include slight changes in irritability or sleeping patterns.
Symptoms That Mirror Dementia
As the symptoms of HE worsen, it can begin to mirror dementia, such as spells of confusion and forgetfulness. In the worst-case scenario, the disease can cause a coma and death.
However, if properly diagnosed, hepatic encephalopathy is treatable.
Treatment for Hepatic Encephalopathy
Doctors will typically begin treatments with a laxative that can help pull toxins such as ammonia from the gut.
After this, an antibiotic called rifaximin is prescribed, which helps kill off a portion of the ammonia-producing bacteria in the patient’s gut.
New Data Emphasizes the Importance of Screening Patients
According to the study’s lead author, Dr. Jasmohan Bajaj, the data emphasize the importance of screening dementia patients.
“This unexpected link between dementia and liver health emphasizes the importance of screening patients for potentially treatable contributors to cognitive decline,” he said, per The Daily Mail.
Early Detection May Help Treat Symptoms of Dementia
Dr. Bajaj continued by explaining that early detection of liver issues may help treat those suffering from symptoms of dementia.
“Early detection of liver issues allows for targeted interventions and opens avenues for addressing treatable factors contributing to cognitive decline,” he said.
Americans Suffer from Liver Disease
Currently, more than 80 million Amercians currently suffer from some fatty liver disease.
In comparison, over eight million suffer from dementia. Thanks to the work of Dr. Bajij and his team, a large portion of those suffering from cognitive decline may have their symptoms reversed by treating the underlying liver problem.
