The memory loss typically of Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating both to the individual affected and to their family and friends. Luckily, some treatments my help.
Dr. Stephen Silberstein: Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder of the elderly that currently has no cure. So medication options and then drug treatment strategies in outpatient and their families deal with its symptoms and consequences until recently the only DFA approved Alzheimer’s with a choline esterase inhibitors.
Today, these medications are market under the brand names Aricept, Exelon, and Razadyne.
Choline esterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of neurotransmitter called AcetylCholine which is important to the memory and taking process.
Unfortunately, choline esterase inhibitors only work in about half the people who tried them. They may loss their effectiveness as Alzheimer’s disease progresses. In addition, these medications can have significant side effects including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting.
Several years ago a new drug called memantine sold under the brand name Namenda which approve to treat moderate to severe cases of Alzheimer’s. Memantine is a drug that protects the brain from over exposure to glutamate. A normal neurotransmitter that an excess contributes to death of brain cells in people with Alzheimer’s.
While treating Alzheimer’s disease is important. It can also be beneficial to treat symptoms.
Patients in all states with Alzheimer’s may experience psychiatric symptoms such as depression, anxiety, agitation, irritability and hallucinations. Generally, these behaviors are managed by identifying the behavior and it cause then adapting the patient’s environment to improve the situation.
Often, the trigger for these symptoms, they change in the person’s environment such as hospitalization or travel. Treatment usually focuses in redirecting the patient’s attention often by simplifying or allowing rest between stimulating events.
However, if behavioral symptoms persists, a doctor my prescribe a medication to treat a patient’s particular symptoms. Some common elements that doctor’s medicate for conclude; general blue moods and irritability which are treated with antidepressants like Prozac or Zoloft. Anxiety, restlessness and disrupted behavior which are treated with anxyolitics like Ativan and Serax. And hallucinations, aggression and uncooperativeness which are treated with antipsychotic medications like aripiprazole and Rispedral.
Sleep aids maybe prescribe for Alzheimer’s patients who experience night terrors and we are not sleeping well. But even with the best treatment, medications and care Alzheimer’s disease progressive and will continue to worsen in time. That is why scientist to hard it where to uncover new treatments they may benefit the Alzheimer’s community.
It is vitally important for people with Alzheimer’s to have the support of family, friends and professional caregivers as they deal with the consequences of the disease.
Talk to your doctor about the best possible treatment plan
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