The Truth About Dementia Is Banned
Dr Vernon Coleman MB ChB DSc FRSA
Advertisements for my book Dementia Myth have been banned because it tells the truth about dementia.
It is, however, perfectly acceptable, probably laudable, to perpetuate the myth (promoted by and on behalf of the drug industry) that dementia is incurable and that once a diagnosis of dementia has been made there is no hope.
I should, I suppose, be accustomed to the way that commercially convenient lies are spread about many medical issues.
But I’m not.
I am appalled and weary but I don’t think I will ever become accustomed to the way in which lies and misconceptions and myths become widely accepted medical pseudo-truths.
‘No one survives a diagnosis of dementia,’ said Hilary Evans, the chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK.
But it isn’t true.
But whether it is true or not it is the default belief among journalists, decision makers and administrators.
Unlike Ms Evans, I firmly believe that there are more patients with dementia who can be cured than there are patients who cannot be cured. Dementia can be survived.
There are three specific causes of dementia which can be cured.
First, there is normal pressure hydrocephalus – a not uncommon disorder which leads to walking difficulties, incontinence and dementia but which can be cured with a simple operation.
Second, there is vitamin B12 deficiency – a problem which is almost certainly a commoner cause of dementia than Alzheimer’s disease and which can be cured with a few, cheap injections of vitamin B12.
Third, there are the millions of patients who have lost their memories and become confused (and, in practical terms, diagnosed as demented) because of prescription drugs they have been given. They can be cured if their drugs are withdrawn under professional supervision.
Dementia can often be cured. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
Vernon Coleman’s book Dementia Myth is available as a paperback and an eBook on Amazon.
Copyright Vernon Coleman June 2019
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