About Alzheimers

Carol Stack asked:


A neurological disease thought to be the most common form of dementia in the elderly, Alzheimer’s disease is incurable. Treatment, however is possible and can alleviate the symptoms to some extent ‘ which can ease the heavy burden faced by caregivers for Alzheimer’s patients. There are both pharmaceutical and non-drug treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease.

First, it is vital for the caregiver to understand that the Alzheimer’s patient does not act the way that they do intentionally. Anger and depression are common behavioral changes exhibited by sufferers, and knowing and coping with this is a large part of Alzheimer’s treatments.

A non-drug method of Alzheimer’s treatments is to aid the afflicted in adapting to their situation and their surroundings. Alzheimer’s patients often have a hard time dealing with loud noises and unfamiliar situations. If the caregiver can make some accommodation to fit the environment to comfort the patient, this can be very helpful to patient and caregiver alike.

Alzheimer’s symptoms can be split into two basic categories, these being Behavioral and Cognitive. Behavior, of course relates to the way the patient acts while Cognitive symptoms effect how the patient thinks, remembers and plans.

Drug therapy Alzheimer’s treatments are intended to slow the chemical processes that are going on in the patient’s brain, rather than being aimed at changing the behavior of the patient. Cholinesterase inhibitors are used in treating the early stages of the disease and include Galantamine (aka Razadyne) and Rivastigmine (aka Exelon). The drug Donepezil (Aricent) is used in all three stages of the disease.

Cholinesterase inhibitors work to block the prevention of acetylcholine from breaking down. This chemical is active in the brain for memory and learning functions. These drugs keep levels of acetylcholine high, keeping the patient capable of communication.

Memantine (aka Namenda) acts to control glutamate. This drug is used to prevent the breakdown of this chemical which helps Alzheimer’s patients learn new facts and communicate effectively. This chemical breaks down very quickly in Alzheimer’s patient’s brains, which makes this an important medication.

Like most medicines, these also come with side effects. Commonly experienced ones include nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness and headaches. There may also be interactions with other drugs taken by the patient. The doctor and pharmacist filling the prescription should always be kept informed about any and every drug the patient is currently taking. This way, drug interactions can be either prevented, or quickly recognized should they occur.

The dosage given of any of these drugs will begin at a low dosage and gradually increase to the limit of what the patient can tolerate, and the medication is performing as intended.

Drug and non-drug Alzheimer’s treatments in tandem will give an Alzheimer’s sufferer the highest odds of being able to enjoy some of the time that they have left and reduce the distress for patient and caregiver alike. This is a disease which causes an incredible amount of suffering and exhaustion not only for the patient, but for the caregiver. The best Alzheimer’s treatment plans will give some relief to both.

Ryan

pocketdragon asked:


He was on Sky News today i was very shocked and they only found out about it when he donated £500,000 to Alzheimers charity.

Claudia

tmsullivan asked:


My mom has early onset dementia or Alzheimers. I do not want to put her in a nursing home. There are care facilities near us for $3600-$4200 a month. She has some savings and I’m willing to use them to give her the best care, but the money would run out and then, I’m told, she would have to go to a nursing home in order to get Medicare reimbursement.

Kurt

greggb asked:


My grandfather had alzheimers, my aunt and now my father. I have found out that other people in my family tree have died from such things as aneurisms

Raul

Warren Newson asked:


There are Alzheimer’s treatments that can help you turn your life around and give you many more years of healthy, normal, and vibrant life.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a frightening and debilitating disease with no known medical cure at this stage, but that doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do. There are a whole range of steps you can take right now to give yourself the best chance of all your years being quality years. You will need to put in some effort to get the best results, and while there are no guarantees in this life, many other people have already made major differences, even some like Louis Blank who are now symptom free!
So let’s get started. Just make sure that you discuss any Alzheimer’s treatment, even natural ones, with your doctor.
Early Diagnosis For a Better Chance
You need an early diagnosis. The earlier Alzheimer’s treatment is started the more effective both medical and natural treatments are. No-one wants to be told they have Alzheimer’s, but it’s far better to know now and fight now than procrastinate and give this terrible disease a chance to beat you.
Medical Treatments For Alzheimer’s
There is no medical cure for Alzheimer’s but there are drugs approved by the FDA that can slow the rate of cognitive and functional decline.
There are four drugs that work by raising the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter, or in other words a chemical that carries messages from one neuron to another in the brain. Alzheimer’s sufferers have lower levels of acetylcholine than normal.
The drugs are Cognex (no longer prescribed) Aricept, Exelon, and Reminyl, and they are only effective for sufferers with mild to moderate AD. Side effects include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Memantine is the first of a new class of drugs for Alzheimer’s treatment, and it’s approved for moderate to severe sufferers. It protects the brains neurons against the toxic effects of high levels of glutamate which is released by cells damaged by Alzheimer’s disease.
Supplements
Supplements can help us mentally and physically.
One of the best nutritional supplements for AD is vitamin E, used with vitamin C. Studies have shown that they can slow the progression from moderate to severe Alzheimer’s by an average of eight months. It’s thought that vitamin E and C work because they are antioxidants and help reduce oxidative stress and injury in the central nervous system.
The B vitamins are important for a healthy brain, and it’s thought that folic acid, B12 and riboflavin together are especially beneficial.
Ginkgo Biloba is another supplement that can be used as an Alzheimer’s treatment. It’s been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine, and for decades in Europe. It improves memory and improves cognitive function in dementia patients. A review of studies of ginkgo biloba has shown that it gave improvements with attention and short-term memory similar to patients using the drug donepezil (Aricept).
Diet
Diet as an Alzheimer’s treatment? It’s no secret that diet has a major affect on physical health, so it should be no surprise that it affects mental health as well.
Researchers have found that people with healthy diets are less likely to get dementia. Plenty of fruits, vegetable, grains, and dairy products keeps your brain in top condition, and at the same time it decreases your risk of heart attacks. That’s not a bad bonus!
Exercise
Exercise helps with memory and problem solving skills, and it improves mood, which is great because there’s a strong correlation between AD and depression. And for prevention, doing resistive and endurance exercise for 30 minutes or more a day at least three times a week can reduce your chances of getting AD by up to 50 percent.
Mental Exercise
Stimulate those neurons! Mental exercise is powerful as a preventative, and powerful as an Alzheimer’s treatment. It can actually increase the number of neurons in the brain. And it is never too late to start.
Mental exercise for Alzheimer’s can be as simple as reading, learning poetry (some poetry is very good indeed), and playing cards. Even jigsaw puzzles and origami help. You could also do a course in something that interests you, or if you’re still working do some professional continuing education.
Other Alzheimer’s Treatments.
Here are a few more ideas that have been proven to help.
Get enough sleep, lower your stress levels, socialize, and be more active. Volunteer, or keep working. More active people suffer less from AD.
Just Do It!
You may be thinking, “What if I try and I fail? What if I do my best and still get Alzheimer’s?”
I have a different question for you. What if you succeed? What if you keep Alzheimer’s at bay for the rest of your life? What a difference that would make to you, your family and your friends.
Don’t give up!

Sue

Ryan Arsendatama asked:


Alzheimer’s is a progressive neuro-psychiatric disease, found particularly in aging people, affecting their brain. During the early stages, speech may not be affected much, but later, as the disease progresses, sentences are difficult to finish. Language deterioration is one of the early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. People suffering from Alzheimer’s experience difficulties in communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning. This lack of ability to communicate is severe enough to have a negative effect on an individual’s work, social activities and family life.
During the early stages of the disease, there is no problem of understanding of simple speech. However, difficulties in finding and expressing the correct word usage can start very early on in the disease.
Interpretation of complex conversations, proverbs and metaphors is another difficulty experienced by the sufferers of Alzheimer’s. Stringing a complex sentence together is another of their difficulties.
Later, as the Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the sufferer will usually ramble on from one subject to another and often repeat the same words over and over again. The find it very difficult to finish the sentences.
Another communicating skill that gets adversely affected quite early in the disease is writing and reading. Spelling difficulties also becoming apparent. There is a complete lack of interest in the task involved, and they are very often left uncompleted.
One particular task that is very difficult to accomplish is the taking of messages, especially over the telephone. This is often the means that uncovers Alzheimer’s disease in the first place. The Alzheimer’s disease sufferer will have difficulty following the conversation. They will probably realize they are having these difficulties, become more confused and frightened, which will make their problem worse.
Communication problems increase as the Alzheimer’s disease progresses and worsens. The ability to find the words needed to complete a sentence or become involved in a conversation decreases. Other words (paraphasias) are added into the gaps leftand the true meaning of the conversation is lost.
Comprehension skills decrease. questions are not understood and may not get answered. Keeping a sentence going often proves too difficult for the sufferer and the often swift changes of subject we all indulge in proves too much for them.
Gradually the Alzheimer sufferers withdraws completely from talking altogether and eventually their whole speech often becomes babbling nonsense.
As the sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease is usually unable to let even their basic needs be known to others, communication eventually becomes impossible in advanced stages of the disease.
Although a few sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease may show some automatic verbal response on occasions, usually by this time the burden of communication more often than not falls on the shoulders of relatives, friends and carers.
As the power to communicate reduces further, there is a sense of frustration and other severe reactions, such as mood change, signs of aggression, start to come up. Step by step, the symptoms progress from mild decline to moderate decline, to moderately severe decline, to severe decline, to very severe decline. By and by, the sufferer of Alzheimer’s disease becomes more subdued and withdrawn in socially and mentally challenging circumstances.
There is a need to immediately consult your doctor the moment you notice any early symptoms of lack of interpersonal communication in your aging loved ones. The earlier the Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed, the earlier you can avail of the treatment. To an untrained eye, the early symptoms may seem to be the normal ones for the aging people, but it is always advisable to seek immediate second opinion.

Paula

MIKE SELVON asked:


According to the Alzheimers Foundation, Alzheimers Dementia accounts for 60-70% of all dementia cases. What makes it a form of “dementia” is that it impairs cognition, speech, memory and movement.

What makes Alzheimers Dementia different from other forms of dementia (like vascular, lewy body and frontotemporal) is that there isn’t physical motor skill impairments directly associated with it and the causes aren’t well known. Dementia often surfaces as a symptom of some greater disease like Parkinson’s, Huntington and Alzheimers, or it could be the byproduct of a stroke.

Alzheimers Dementia is characterized by increasing and persistent forgetfulness. These patients routinely forget names of loved ones, appointments, words to express themselves, or even entire events. Balancing the checkbook or cooking a meal suddenly becomes overwhelming.

Emotional mood swings are common, as the patient struggles to deal with confusing emotions and frustration. Unfortunately, the causes of Alzheimers are not widely understood, although visible brain effects include tau protein tangles and beta-amyloid protein plaques.

Inflammation and brain cell death are also triggered in the Alzheimers brain. The average person lives with Alzheimers Dementia for eight years before dying, so it’s important than caregivers and patients seek counsel on coping skills.

Lewy Body Dementia is characterized by the loss of ability to reason, think and remember. Like Alzheimers Dementia, it causes Alzheimers symptoms like confusion, memory loss, decreased awareness, delusions and depression; and like Parkinson’s, it causes physical disturbances like tremors and rigidity.

Some people with Lewy Body Dementia even suffer hallucinations. The causes aren’t known but researchers feel it’s somehow linked to Alzheimers and Parkinson’s and they’ve noticed a common protein in patients that may be the key to preventative measures.

The good news is that not all Alzheimers Dementia symptoms are in fact a serious or fatal condition. Sometimes the symptoms appear as a result of decreased thyroid functioning, a reaction to medication or poor nutrition.

Chronic alcoholism often creates a deficiency in Vitamin B1/Thiamin, which produces signs of dementia. Niacin/B3 deficiencies and dehydration may also resemble Dementia and Alzheimers. Infections like meningitis, encephalitis or syphilis cause dementia, but can be reversed if caught in time.

A build up of spinal fluid near the brain (known as “hydrocephalus”) causes impaired mental functions but can be treated by draining the fluid with a tube. In other cases, emotional problems or depression can mimic dementia, which can be regulated through a combination of drugs and therapy.

Vanessa

joyeful asked:


Irecently read that some researchers in Melbourne had a cure for early detection of alzheimers -5years from now. Does anyone know of this and the actual cure?

Derrick

Juliet Cohen asked:


Alzheimer’s disease is a group disorders involving the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. Alzheimer’s disease is becoming tragically common. It is estimated that there are currently 18 million people worldwide with Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is a disease of the nervous system characterized by loss of certain mental abilities. This loss is severe enough to interfere with normal activities and lasts at least six months. Dementia is the term for the deterioration of brain function that results in loss of memory, reduced language skills, impaired reasoning and behavioural and emotional problems. As the disease develops, a person loses the ability to carry out familiar tasks, to reason, and to exercise judgment. Moods, personality, and ability to communicate may also be affected. People with AD typically die within eight years of their diagnosis. Some individuals may die within a year of diagnosis, others may live as long as twenty years.

Alzheimer’s disease is progressive, which means that symptoms worsen over time. Language difficulties also are common in people with Alzheimer’s disease. People with Alzheimer’s can lose their sense of time and place - they may, for example, get dressed in the middle of the night or walk off and get lost. New surroundings and new people may be confusing. The disease typically progresses to the stage where it is difficult for the patient to be understood by others or to understand others, and in the final stages, the patient is bedridden. Free radicals are another factor in the formation of tangles and plaques. Free radicals are very active chemicals that form in the brain and damage brain cells. Chemicals known as antioxidants react with and destroy free radicals. Unfortunately there is no cure for Alzheimer’s. However, drugs can help to slow down the progression or relieve some symptoms and delay the need for residential care. Other therapies and support are available.

Causes of Alzheimers Disease

The exect causes of alzheimers disease are currently not known. Alzheimer’s is caused by a loss of brain cells, as well as changes in the cerebral cortex. Free radicals are another factor in the formation of tangles and plaques. Free radicals are very active chemicals that form in the brain and damage brain cells. Chemicals known as antioxidants react with and destroy free radicals. Another risk factor is heredity. People whose family members have had AD are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than those whose families do not have this history. People who have hypothyroidism or have experienced head injuries are also at relatively high risk for AD. Environmental factors have sometimes been proposed as possible causes for Alzheimers disease.

Symptoms of Alzheimers Disease

The earliest symptom of Alzheimer’s disease is memory loss. Memory loss by itself is not an indication that a person has Alzheimer’s disease. Some memory loss is a natural part of growing old. People with Alzheimer’s can lose their sense of time and place - they may, for example, get dressed in the middle of the night or walk off and get lost. In early stages of the disease, family or friends may notice changes in behaviour. As the disease progresses, memory loss gets worse and some people have difficulty in learning new skills. Changes in behaviour may become more obvious, with people saying or doing things that are out of character. Some people become depressed because they realise what is happening to them. During the late stages of the disease, people with Alzheimer’s may become totally dependent on others for their care. Walking can become difficult and urinary incontinence may develop.

Treatment of Alzheimers Disease

There is currently no cure and virtually no medical treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. However, drugs can help to slow down the progression or relieve some symptoms and delay the need for residential care. A type of drug called cholinesterase inhibitors are used for people with moderate Alzheimer’s disease. They work by reducing the breakdown of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, levels of which are low in Alzheimer’s. There are three such drugs available: donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine and galantamine. Another drug, memantine, was launched for people in the late stages of Alzheimer’s. Sometimes anti-depressant medicines are prescribed to help treat the depression that can be associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Some people may benefit from anti-psychotic medicines.

Lucy

Gray Rollins asked:


Alzheimer’s disease is a condition affecting up to 4.5 million Americans. While there is no known cure, studies have been conducted that indicate there may be ways of preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

The disease is characterized by symptoms such as forgetfulness, memory loss, and reduced ability to concentrate, and in later stages the sufferer may display anxiety and delusions, loss of speech and inability to sit up or walk. It is a slow disease with symptoms manifesting and worsening over the period of many years.

The now famous, groundbreaking “nun study” went a long way toward identifying characteristics that would indicate the likelihood of Alzheimer’s onset later in life. 100 nuns have been studied over a period of fifteen years, beginning in 1991. Over the course of those years, their genes have been tested and analyzed, physical balance and strength charted, and cognitive tests run to determine how many words the women could remember several minutes after reading them, how many animals they could name in a minute, and if they could correctly count coins. The research shows that people who scored lower on cognitive ability tests when young were more likely to develop Alzheimer’s later in life. Early cognitive ability was measured based on writings done by the nuns while in their early 20’s. Those showing more “idea density” - the number of ideas expressed in the fewest number of words - and better linguistic and grammar skills had a much lower incidence of Alzheimer’s later in life. Scientists are of the opinion that good cognitive skills early on creates a sort of “neurocognitive reserve” which will be drawn on later, effectively preventing Alzheimer’s. Exercising and improving cognitive skills via writing, reading and learning - anything that stimulates the brain - may go a long way toward active, clearheaded and graceful aging.

There are a number of other things, as well, that you can do to help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s. Many of these prevention techniques involve limbering the mind and working on memory skills long before Alzheimer’s onset is a danger. Just having a mentally stimulating job that involves creative thinking or manipulation of data is shown to have a connection to lower incidence of Alzheimer’s later in life. Doing crossword puzzles and playing card games were found to have a significant positive impact on later mental dexterity. Employ memorization techniques used by actors. Actors don’t merely memorize a series of words. They also combine appropriate movements, and evaluate the intent behind the words to be delivered. This “active-experiencing” method of memorization was shown to also improve the memory and cognitive skills in older people who were taught the technique. Limbering your mind now may promote a limber mind in your latter years.

Proper diet and exercise promote good health in general and may ward off countless problems including Alzheimer’s onset. The addition of fish oils, Vitamin E, and Vitamin C to the diet have all shown to contribute to a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s. Keeping cholesterol at a healthy level prevents build-up of amyloid plaques in the brain - a characteristic in Alzheimer’s. Finally, physical activity has been shown to prevent deposits in the brain that are associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

Exercise your mind and body, and make good lifestyle choices, as the only “cure” for Alzheimer’s as yet, is prevention. While there is believed to be a genetic component which would predispose someone to the risk of Alzheimer’s, awareness, early planning and mental exercise, and smart dietary choices may aid to reduce your likelihood of developing this mysterious and debilitating disease. A healthy mind and a healthy body now will make for a healthy mind and body later.

Vincent