Certain types of memory loss are treatable

* 73-year-old elderly man troubled by fluid accumulation in the brain

* Symptoms included memory loss, difficulty walking, and loss of bladder control

* Successfully treated with surgery by Kamineni doctors

Dementia (memory loss) commonly appears as people age. Symptoms include repeatedly calling children despite having already done so, forgetting what was eaten for lunch by evening, and not recognizing familiar people. Many children perceive these behaviors as stubbornness and get frustrated with the elders. However, it’s crucial to recognize that this could be dementia. Identifying it and seeking treatment can potentially lead to full recovery.

Certain types of dementia come with unique problems such as loss of bladder control, walking much faster than usual, and remembering names of distant people but not those close by. Children must be very vigilant in such cases, understanding that these are medical issues and consulting the right doctors for treatment.

Doctors at Kamineni Hospital in LB Nagar successfully treated a 73-year-old man with such symptoms through minor surgery. Consultant neurosurgeon Dr. Ramesh from the hospital provided details related to this case.

Shankarrao, a 73-year-old from Visakhapatnam, has been experiencing difficulties for the past six months. He had no control over urination and walking became slow. Additionally, he couldn’t remember what he had for lunch by evening. These various problems were causing significant concern for his family members. He would repeatedly call his children, forgetting that he had already called them, which caused considerable frustration for the family. After consulting multiple hospitals, they finally came to Kamineni Hospital in LB Nagar.

Upon examination, it was found that fluid had accumulated in his brain. Typically, if such fluid accumulates in young people, it can lead to a coma because they can’t bear the pressure. However, as people age, their brain gradually shrinks, creating some space where this fluid can accumulate. This accumulation puts pressure on the brain, leading to dementia. This type of dementia can be treated with minor surgical procedures.

In Shankarrao’s case, we removed the fluid from his spine over three consecutive days, which gradually reduced the fluid in his brain. Then, a stunt was placed in his brain, allowing the fluid to drain into the abdomen, where it is expelled through normal bodily processes. From the moment the fluid was removed, Shankarrao’s condition significantly improved.

He is now living his normal life again, recognizing everyone. His walking has also returned to normal, and he has no problems. For the next five years, he is not expected to face any issues. Regular check-ups with doctors and necessary medication will suffice,” explained Dr. Ramesh. However, he noted that this treatment is not effective for all types of dementia, but only for dementia caused by fluid accumulation in the brain.