Although there is no cure for Alzheimer’s there are ways to treat this disease. Certain medications may help lessen the symptoms, such as memory loss and confusion but only for a limited amount of time. The Food and Drug Administration have approved the following types of medications: cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine, both of these medications treat the cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer 's disease. (Office) Unfortunately, as Alzheimer’s advances the patient’s brain cells progressively die and connections among the cells are lost. This in turn causes his or her cognitive symptoms to worsen. As previously stated, current medications cannot stop the damage Alzheimer’s causes to the brain cells but some may help lessen or stabilize symptoms for a limited time. These medications affect certain chemicals involved in relaying messages among the brain 's nerve cells causing the symptoms to better for a certain amount of time. At times doctors may even prescribe high doses of vitamin E to act as another aid to the medications. Primarily, Cholinesterase inhibitors are prescribed to the patient to treat symptoms having to do with memory, thinking, language, judgment and other thought processes- the Cognitive symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine. When that happens it supports communication among nerve cells by keeping the levels of acetylcholine high. This medication is generally well tolerated by those who take it. However, if side effects do
There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are many treatments to help ease the complications. Treatments include medication that will help cognitive function, low blood
Unfortunately, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, it’s prolonged through medications. Referring once again to the NIA’s Alzheimer’s disease fact sheet, medications such as donepezil and memantine among others are used to ward off the effects of the disease. However, these drugs only seem to work for a limited time, and for some, they don’t at all.
Scientists have actually come up with some preventative measures against Alzheimer’s and the onset of this horrendous disease. Physical activity, brain stimulation (such as puzzles, games, regularly reading, watching television, and any other type of social activity), nutritious diet, and also there is an ongoing search for a vaccine. I saw where in Europe they actually treat their age-related dementia patients with gingko biloba. Gingko biloba is thought
Alzheimer’s disease begins with memory loss, particularly short-term memory, and can end in loss of all cognitive function. Other losses include the ability to learn, to orient oneself to time and place, and to concentrate. Later, personality and behavioral problems develop such as irritability, agitation, and restlessness. Mood changes occur as well causing depression, frustration, anxiety, hostility, and mood swings. For some it can cause motor changes such as rigidity. Some of the worst possibilities include hallucinations and delusions, but usually that is not until the later stages. Nutrition is a big concern for those with Alzheimer’s as they may refuse to eat (Huether & McCance, 2014, p. 549). There are not many drugs used for Alzheimer’s disease. Mostly drugs are prescribed to treat the symptoms or mood changes such as psychotropic medications. The only drugs that are specifically for Alzheimer’s do not arrest the disease, but instead have a small chance at slowing it down. These drugs include Donepezil, Galantamine, and Rivastigmine are acetylcholinesterase inhibitors that cause less breakdown of acetylcholine and therefore higher levels of acetylcholine in the brain circuits that are lacking this neurotransmitter due to neuronal cell death. Side effects of these drugs include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, insomnia, and rarely syncope (Blows, 2011, p. 296). Other
Alzheimer’s disease affects the lives of over 5 million Americans today. The cost that it has placed on the U.S is a staggering $203 million dollars. Researchers have reported that those numbers are expected to triple by 2050. However draining that this disease may seem, the real question is whether there is a solution. To this day there is still no cure to stop or even slow down th progression of the brain disease but there are treatments that help cover the symptoms. While the majority of the people who suffer from Alzheimer is generally over the age of 65, about 200,000, of the estimated 5 million, are in the age range of 30-40.
There is no cure for Alzheimer 's disease. So far there are only a few drugs that can slow down the effects of it. Donepezil (Aricept) is the main drug for the treatment of the disease for all stages, which is a cholinesterase inhibitor. This drug is an Acetylcholine booster, helps the memory neurons. Unfortunately this drug does not reverse or cure the disease. Donepezil is a cholinesterase inhibitor and it affects the memory neurons in the brain, preventing them from breaking down. My father has been on this drug for almost ten years now and has done very well. With women being at a greater risk for contacting Alzheimer’s disease, the use of estrogen after menopause has lowered the risk. Estrogen boosts the production of acetylcholine, a key chemical neurotransmitter involved in the transmission of nerve impulses across the tiny gaps between nerve cells (synapses). In addition, estrogen improves blood flow through the brain and enhances verbal abilities of postmenopausal women who take hormone replacement therapy.
Diagnosis can be at any stage of Alzheimer’s Disease. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the patient and care takers can prepare a proper treatment plan and monitor progression. Alzheimer’s Disease may be treated with various drugs to help with cognitive symptoms such as cholinesterase inhibitors. Non-chemical treatments are used help with behavioral symptoms such as allowing
The Alzheimer’s Association reports that by the year 2025, around seven million people 65 years of age and older will be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. There is other subsets of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease being one of the most well known. With the skyrocketing increase of individuals suffering from dementia will come the need for more intervention and prevention projects to help the number of individuals suffering from all forms of dementia. Even though there is an umbrella of different forms of dementia, dementia it self is a term used to describe a disease that is chronic, progressive, and terminal and each of the forms of dementia are classified in this way.
As a disease resulting in the loss of high cognitive functions, the Alzheimer’s disease affects brain cells and the nervous system of the body. A better understanding of the neurotransmitter, drug use to treat the disorder, and the possible side effects will bring reasoning to the possible actions of a person with the disease.
There are some potential treatments for Alzheimer’s that scientists have contemplated such as Zinc and the prevention of a C1q protein. Zinc is critical for the brain and without it neurons can die. As a possible treatment remedy, Zinc can be added to a diet. Also Zn can decline the amount of Amyloid plaques. Recently, Ben Barres who studied at Stanford University School of Medicine conducted a study which involves a protein called C1q. C1q is deemed important because it builds up around the brain where the nerve cells are, this is important because the destruction of nerve cells leads to dementia. C1q is responsible for the elimination of hazardous material and is usually not found in the brain. A study was conducted with the development of an infants brain stating that the growth of synapsis was too quick and there were an abundance of them and something had to get rid of unnecessary synapsis causing a dangerous amount of C1q. Barres is currently working on a possible drug that could prevent the C1q protein. With the current curiosity that AD brings on people, I believe that in no time we will have a treatment.
There still is research currently undergoing for Alzheimer’s. Medication used for Alzheimer’s does not completely cure the disease, but can temporarily slow down the pace of the disease making the person’s life much better compared to it without the treatment.
My basic knowledge of Alzheimer’s and dementia comes from my work experience and from my classes. I’ve also attended many educational Alzheimer’s seminars, and I know that maintaining a healthy diet, exercising, avoiding mind-alternating drugs, and sleeping more all help in preventing or delaying Alzheimer’s.
Important to realize there are little treatments for Alzheimer’s limited. According to alz.org some medication can be used to control the progression of the disease; Three common medications are “Memantine, topsoil, and garlanding”. These treatments help control but, do not cure the horrific, Alzheimer’s. Other treatments is mental exercise; like reading, brain teasers, puzzles, and math problems (mayoclinic.org). These exercises help” to keep the brain to engaged and active”(alzstore.com). As found on helpline.come other treatments met by
The course of Alzheimer's can be decidedly affected by various diverse medicines and non-medicate medications – however it isn't conceivable to cure the infection or to shield it from advancing. This makes it significantly more basic for
Alzheimer's Disease is a condition that affects 50% of the population over the age of eighty five, which equals four million Americans each year. It is becoming an important and high-profile issue in today's society for everyone. There are rapid advancements being made in the fight against this disease now more than ever, and the purpose of this essay is to educate the public on the background as well as the new discoveries. There are many new drugs that are being tested and studied every day which slow down, and may even halt the progress of the disease.