Archive for the 'Alzheimer Disease Treatment' Category

Elderly Dementia

pbf September 13th, 2008

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symptoms of dementia

Of all the different types of dementia that affect the elderly, it is Alzheimer’s disease that has become the most famous in recent years. Estimated at affecting 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 Alzheimer’s affects the memory centers of the mind.

The world started focusing on the disease only about thirty years ago and its effects are not even fully understood today. Getting older is the main risk surrounding Alzheimer’s according to research. Unfortunately, the person experiencing the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s will know something is wrong but won’t admit it to others or even to themselves.

Dementia covers quite a broad spectrum of problems but they are all, including Alzheimer’s disease, currently treated in a similar fashion. Some drugs can now slow down and sometimes improve the symptoms but so far no treatment has been discovered that can cure the disorder. Most Alzheimer’s disease sufferers will be prescribed one of the following drugs Donepezil, Tacrine, and Rivastigmine.

Patients with mild to severe Alzheimer’s who are already receiving Donepezil are now given Memantine as an alternative. Fortunately, Memantine has few side effects as 80 percent of the drug is passed in urine unchanged and so far it is the only drug that has proved to be of real benefit to patients with moderate to severe symptoms.

Alzheimer’s disease has become a major issue as it is already the fourth largest killer in the United States. Although contracting the disease is a tragedy, the cost of treatment and care for sufferers is causing economic vibrations. Another large body, the National Institute on Aging spent almost half of its yearly budget on Research into the condition with scientists worldwide looking for a treatment for the disease.

The only way to improve the risk of not developing dementia is to adjust the way you live and adopt a healthier lifestyle. Some researchers into the disease have found that patients who are happy and healthy with Alzheimer’s slow down the rate of their mental decline. Fortunately this disease is still mainly affecting elderly people but there have been recent occasions where younger persons have developed this disease.

For More Information on Dementia Types and Alzheimer’s visit:

dementia overview

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Living with Alzheimer’s Disease

admin August 2nd, 2008

Living with Alzheimer’s is a difficult experience for the sufferer and for the family members involved.there are times of confusion and misunderstanding in dealing with the symptoms can be frustrating and difficult. Loss of memory and other factors can cause great amounts of emotional separation in families and nervous tensions on relationships. These misunderstandings and tensions are not always necessary as long as suitable information is available to all parties.

Alzheimer’s disease is technically a “progressive brain disorder.”that means the effects on the brain continue as the memory is slowly destroyed in the capability to learn, make judgments, communicate, and carry out normal tasks becomes diminished to the point of extinction. It is painful and difficult to watch a family member waste away in their own mind. Healthy family members often struggle to maintain their sanity, and may end up distancing themselves from the sufferer.

Easing the pain that comes through the isolation of Alzheimer’s disease is possible through having full information available to family members. Encourage family members to learn more about the disorder, to ask questions, and to be open and available for discussion. Family members should have some basic understanding of Alzheimer’s disease so that they can provide the requisite compassion, care, and treatment without making the sufferer feel inapt or silly.

It is almost too obvious to mention, but Alzheimer’s is not contagious.there are no cures, but effective care and constant support are the best way is to deal with its effects and to help prevent depression or other mental afflictions to follow and the destructive wake of Alzheimer’s.

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