Intellectual decline Treatments

Intellectual decline: Treatments Inroduction

Treatment plans for intellectual decline are individualized depending on the cause, the presence of coexisting diseases, the age of the patient, and other factors. Treatment generally involves a multifaceted plan that addresses the underlying or associated cause and helps to maximize cognitive functioning so a person can function effectively and lead as active and normal a life as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment can often maximize the effectiveness of treatment.

Some common causes of intellectual decline, such as vitamin deficiencies and hypothyroidism can often be effectively treated with relatively simple measures. These include vitamin supplements as appropriate for vitamin deficiencies and thyroid hormone replacement medication for hypothyroidism.

Another common cause of intellectual decline, age-related cognitive decline, can be treated and minimized by a multipronged treatment plan that includes a physical exercise program, a memory-enhancement program, eating a highly nutritious diet, ensuring good hydration, and supplements, such as gingko. Caffeine in moderate amounts can also help to improve intellectual function.

There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or any treatment that can slow the progression of the disease. However, medication may help people with Alzheimer's disease to improve cognitive functioning.

Intellectual decline due to hypoxia, or a lack of oxygen, is treated with supplemental oxygen and by treating the underlying cause of hypoxia.

Other more serious causes of intellectual decline need more intensive treatment. These include stroke, anemia, brain tumor, subdural hematoma, meningitis, brain abscess, fetal alcohol syndrome, hydrocephalus and encephalopathy. Treatment plans vary depending on the specific cause and may involve medications, blood transfusions, regular medical monitoring, surgical procedures, rehabilitation, speech therapy, lifestyle and dietary changes, hospitalization and life support measures.

Treatments for Causes of Intellectual decline

Review the treatment information pages for various causes of Intellectual decline:

• Extradural hematoma
• Wernicke's encephalopathy
• Korsakoff's psychosis
• Barbiturates
• HIV
• Huntington disease
• B12 deficiency

More causes: not all possible causes for Intellectual decline are listed above; for a full list refer to causes of Intellectual decline.

Treatment Notes

Only your doctor can advise whether any of these treatments are appropriate for your specific medical situation. Always discuss all treatment options with your doctor before making a decision, including whether to start or discontinue any treatment plan.

Conditions listing medical symptoms: Intellectual decline:

The following list of conditions have 'Intellectual decline' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which include a symptom of Intellectual decline or choose View All.

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