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Central nervous system
Central nervous system
OverviewSymptomsTreatmentPrevention

Dementia due to metabolic causes

Treatment:
Treatment focuses on the cause of the disorder and controlling symptoms. Treatment of the cause may include medicines, dietary supplements, or other measures (see the specific cause). Progression of symptoms may require 24-hour monitoring and care in the home or in an institutionalized care setting.

Long-term care may includes environmental safety and control of aggression or agitated behavior through behavior modification or medications.

Expectations (prognosis):
The outcome varies depending on the cause and the extent of damage to the brain.

Complications:
  • Irreversible brain injury
  • Inability to function or care for self
  • Inability to interact with others
  • Increased occurence of infections anywhere in the body
  • Other complications (see the specific cause of disorder)
  • Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder (see the specific medication)


Calling your health care provider:
Call your health care provider if symptoms indicating dementia may be present.

Call for an appointment if symptoms worsen or persist despite treatment of metabolic causes, or if new symptoms develop.

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if there is a sudden change in mental status, or if there is a life-threatening emergency.

Review Date: 5/8/2003
Reviewed By: Elaine T. Kiriakopoulos, M.D., M.Sc., Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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