![]() ![]() Hundreds of medications are anticholinergic, and it’s likely that any class of drugs beginning with anti- is in this category-for example, antihistamines and antispasmodics. The main offenders are anticholinergic medications, which treat a variety of conditions by blocking the activity of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Many drugs can cause symptoms, such as short-term memory loss, confusion and agitation, that patients (and physicians) frequently mistake for dementia. To protect yourself-or a loved one… DEMENTIA ![]() Older adults are at greatest risk for this problem because the body becomes increasingly less efficient at metabolizing drugs with age. As a result, drugs can build up in your body (particularly if you take more than one), become toxic, damage crucial organs such as the heart and brain-and trigger disease. Starting as early as your 20s and 30s, you lose 1% of liver and kidney function every year. ![]() Here’s what happens: Your kidney and liver are the main organs that break down drugs and eliminate them from your body. While it’s true that many drugs can help relieve symptoms and sometimes even cure certain medical conditions, a number of popular medications actually cause disease-not simply side effects-while treating the original problem. But overall you will be better off, right? Sure, there may be a side effect or two-perhaps an occasional upset stomach or a mild headache. When your doctor pulls out his/her prescription pad, you probably assume that your health problem will soon be improving. ![]()
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