Alzheimer’s Treatment and Support
Alzheimer’s disease cannot be cured, but there are many things you can do to live a healthy lifestyle and enjoy every day that comes. If your loved one suffers from Alzheimer’s symptoms it’s within your power to help him or her to deal with it.
Initial treatment is used at the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Cholinesterase inhibitors is the first-choice Alzheimer’s treatment method for such cases, as they are efficient in enhancing memory and dealing with thinking problems typical for the condition. The most common medications include rivastigmine (Exelon), galantamine (Razadyne), and donepezil hydrochloride (Aricept). These drugs still don’t work for everyone and do not stop the progression of symptoms, only slowing it down. However, it’s a good idea to try taking these drugs (unless you have any contraindications) to see if they are efficient in your case.
Cholinesterase inhibitors can be also used along with memantine (Namenda) to treat mild or severe Alzheimer’s symptoms: memory loss and confusion.
Initial treatment is a lot more than taking the right drug for the condition. Serious attention should be paid to other conditions that may contribute to a faster development of Alzheimer’s. For example, timely treatment of depression may help to minimize the disability and enhance abilities of the patient.
Ongoing treatment is used to treat further stages of the disease. Although the effects of cholinesterase inhibitors are likely to continue for a long time, some people experience serious side effects and are forced to stop their treatment. Therefore, it’s very important to have your condition checked by your doctor regularly. Your health care provider can monitor the symptoms to see if they are changing – getting better or worse, and teach you and your family about Alzheimer’s support basics. In general, it’s recommended to schedule a meeting with your doctor every half a year.
Keep in mind that a number of other medical conditions may contribute to your Alzheimer’s progressing over time. These conditions include kidney problems, thyroid problems, arthritis, hearing and vision loss, and they are likely to make the job of your caregiver very difficult. Timely treatment of these problems is a key to a better life quality; this is also likely to stop the progression of the condition.
If you provide Alzheimer’s care for someone, don’t hesitate to look for support whenever you feel the need for it. Ongoing care encompasses a wide range of activities: taking/giving medication, taking advantage of adult day care and seeking help from your friends and family will help you to understand yourself and the patient you may be taking care of better. You can contact the Alzheimer’s Association by phone or via their site (www.alz.org) to obtain guidance and Alzheimer’s support.
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