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Since my mom was diagnosed 4 years ago she has gained 30 pounds. She loves to eat and her day revolves around meals. I am ok with it because she needed a little weight on her bones and she still feeds herself pretty well. It's a time we can have fellowship and share. We also go out to eat and she loves that. We only ration candy because she would eat it non-stop-I have definitely seen a relationship between the dementia and sugar /sweet craving can anyone biologically explain that? Thank goodness she is not diabetic.
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It sounds like you are right about your friend having dementia issues. The brain usually signals the stomach in about 20 minutes that it has eaten( thats why we overeat and do not know it until too late!) Has your friend had a good check up? Certainly a blood work -up to check for diabetes 2, etc. The fact that he doesn't remember and is also rising during the night is also a good sign of some dementia issues. Does he live by himself? How does he react if you point out what he is doing? If he cooks is there a concern about safety with a stove?
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Dad is 86 & MUST eat every 2 1//2 hours of he says he's "caving in." (He's 250 or more lbs.) He gets very cranky if he is not allowed to eat all day--until recently. His blood sugar spiked because of his secret binges & he lost the feeling in part of his foot, stepped on a nail twice, & couldn't figure out why his whole foot was swollen & red. He nearly lost his big toe! That got his attention. Now he's on a sensible diet & sticking to it. Amazing, huh? Wouldn't listen to anyone til reality gave him a taste. Where'd the dementia go?? (Probably out with the sticky, salty, fatty diet).
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Writing a list of symptoms is a good idea. Then ask if you can accompany him to the doctor. Present the list of symptoms to the doctor and see if that helps with the diagnosis.

If you can't go along for the appointment and you don't know the doctor's name, try to find out in conversation. Then write the doctor a note for his or her records. so that when your friend goes for a checkup the doctor has some background.

You are a good person to be concerned. We love to see an update if you learn more.
Take care,
Carol
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I think they over eat and crave sugar because it comforts them..also they probably like food..and figure..I'm old..I can do whatever I please...blast the calories! Seems to be that way with my mom anyway! I'm amazed the size of the portions she eats! I control my prediabetes with diet..so I know what size of portions should be eaten...and she doubles that...and she is overweight...not good for her double knee replacements..but this isn't a battle I'm taking on...other than dishing out her food..giving her slightly smaller portions..
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Kaydi your friend smokes a lot, right? That might keep him from gaining weight.
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I can't persuade him to get on the scales but he doesn't seem to gain any weight. He is up a lot at night and I've come down at 2am n he's been eating "supper" and 4am and he's eating "breakfast"!
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Yes
Under eating and over eating are symptoms of dementia. It just varies from individual to individual
Sugar craving - chocolates etc is also a classic symptom
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The hospice doctor told me that elders with dementia eat a lot and for some reason don't gain weight. Must be a chemical imbalance in the brain. I don't know but I heard of it. Is your friend gaining weight. I bet not. Interesting anyway.
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My friend still gets his own meals and these are non stop. He'll have a bowl of soup then shortly after he'll have some toast, then a bowl of cereal, then some tea cakes etc. This goes on all day and I wonder if it's because he forgets that he already ate?
I know he often forgets he's had dinner, one night he had fish and chips and an hour later I saw him eating scampi and chips as he'd forgotten he'd had the fish and chips.
I am trying to make sense of this, he's never been one to over eat, if anything his appetite has been very poor for a long time so it's good to see him eat. As well as forgetting they've eaten does the dementia increase their appetite?
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I think they crave sugar. My mother in law only wants sugary foods or occasional bread. She even puts three flavored sugary creamers in a small 6 oz cup of coffee.
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My MIL eats everything you give her and looks for more,, she will just keep on going! And forget candy.. she sneaks it and they have to hide it from her. I don;t know where she puts it,, she is pretty slim and sleeps alot. We brought a chicken lunch recently.. she ate 2 pieces of chicken, slaw, potato salad, rolls.. and wanted chips too! Oh well.. if this is the worst thing she does... Dad ate alot too, just took him forever to do it... no lie. over an hour for a sandwich and a cup of soup.
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