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Generally, no. Dementia is usually slow and progressive. Cognitive changes that are sudden need to be evaluated. Did she have trouble sleeping, eat/drink something known to cause problems (allergens come to mind), take any medications that can cause this as a side effect...? If the answer to those questions are no, take her to an Emergency Department. She may have an infection or a stroke. In the latter case, time is brain. The sooner she is treated, the better she will be.
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Reply to Taarna
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There has to be an underlying cause for sudden onset dementia. Most likely a UTI. But get her also checked for a TIA, commonly called a mini-stroke.
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Reply to JanPeck123
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Yes, my first response to your question was it very well might be a UTI.
Best to get her to an Urgent Care, her Doctor, or the ER.
best of luck; keep us updated :-)
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Reply to OnchiBaby1030
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Nurse here: Could be UTI. Or another infection. Could be stroke. I'd look into UTI first (urinary tract infection). They're "famous" for this change in status
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Reply to Sleepingbear
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No, but a UTI sure can. Have her checked out immediately.
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Reply to funkygrandma59
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No, Dementia progresses overtime. Mom could have had a stroke in her sleep. Like said, sugar levels could have spiked. Could be anything. Call her PCP and get her in now. Maybe even take her to the ER.
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Reply to JoAnn29
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BluegrassGirl 9 hours ago
This is an often overlooked cause of intense mood and personality changes! My mother had trouble with taking her diabetes medication and would forget to eat. Sometimes for days. It was scary how wild and crazy she could get. A neighbour once called me to come see because my mother was ranting and raving in their huge backyard for hours. They knew she didn’t drink but her crazy ranting was so similar to a very aggressive and drunk person. The paramedics were sure it was a stroke until the neighbour took over my mother’s medications and explained her diabetes and severe hyperglycemia and high blood pressure. They were good friends but my mother terrified the poor lady and threatened her with garden shears!
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Excessively high blood sugar can cause severe confusion.
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Reply to MG8522
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noramanwiller 10 hours ago
Yes! This happened for my mom. DKA episode. :(
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Are you speaking she is going back and forth within a diagnosed dementia or are you speaking of your mom was fine, shopping and cooking and all else and then went suddenly South for no reason?
We need more information, but start with a urinalysis here, and speak to your doc.
Best of luck.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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You'll get a lot of questions about Mom. Guess I'll start. How old is she? Does she live alone, with you, assisted living? I ask this, because it helps to understand the dynamics of people's behavior. Living with you can mean you're personally affected by this. Visiting her at a facility, you're not as exposed to her behavior. Has she been recently hospitalized? There is hospital stay induced "dementia"-from what I've read, temporary. Although that may not always be the case. And the number one question will be-does she have a bladder infection?
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