Question: My mother is 78 years old and for some time now it has been noticeable that she forgets more or less frequently but she still managed it. Two months ago they gave him a remedy because he urinated at night and another to help him sleep and he got worse. Do remedies do that? Will he have Alzheimer’s? (RFJL, from Villa Lugano)
From the age of 55 or 60, many people perceive and report a slight decrease in memory or other mental abilities (attention, concentration), even if they do not significantly interfere with your usual daily activities. It is also frequently accompanied by fears of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease in the future.
Many times the origin of this memory failure is in the bathroom medicine cabinet or on the nightstand since there are many frequently used medications that can cause these symptoms.
The list may be extensive, but Only some of the most frequent ones will be mentioned here.
One of them are medications used to control gastric acidity or stomach reflux such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, pantoprazole, among others. These remedies can decrease the absorption of vitamin B 12, since It is released from food when there is a certain level of acidity in the stomach.. Deficiency of this vitamin impairs memory and causes minor confusion.
Antacids can also reduce magnesium levels, essential for various neurological functions.
Some experimental studies in animals suggest that these antacids could increase the production of the beta-amyloid protein (which is associated with Alzheimer’s), although this is not completely proven to occur in humans.
Look at antacids
In turn, antacids tend to modify the intestinal microbiota, which has an indirect relationship with brain function due to the recognized gut-brain connection, by which the imbalance of the intestinal flora It can affect mood, memory, and other cognitive functions.
All this justifies that Those who use these antacids consult with their doctor about the real need to take them for a long time. and the convenience of monitoring blood levels of B12 and magnesium.
Also first generation antihistamines (diphenhydramine -Benadryl-, chlorpheniramine, hydroxyzine) cross the blood-brain barrier and block the brain receptors where the histamine, a key neurotransmitter in vigilance, alertness and memory.
Medications that can cause forgetfulness include antacids, antidepressants, anxiolytics, and bronchodilators. / Shutterstock Photo.By blocking these receptors, antihistamines not only produce sedative effects, but also They interfere with the brain’s ability to process and retain information.
These first-generation antihistamines inhibit the action of acetylcholine, another neurotransmitter crucial for learning and memory found in areas of the brain such as the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. By reducing the activity of acetylcholine, These medications cause short-term memory impairment and confusion.
The list of medications that can cause forgetfulness includes some bronchodilators, drugs used for urinary incontinenceto medications to treat heart problems, to antidepressants, antipsychotics or anxiolytics and, even more so, when taken together
1) Over-the-counter medications do not mean they are harmless.
2) Always consult with your doctor about the combination of drugs you receive.
