Alzheimer's

Help For Alzheimers

2006-09-08T20:48:00.000-07:00

Help For Alzheimers by Dan Farrell

At this point in time there is no known cure for Alzheimer's disease. There is also no proven way of slowing the progression of the disease down. The cause is also still a mystery to us and there is nothing that can be done to prevent it. This is what is so devastating about being diagnosed with this disease.
There are a number of medications available that can help to improve the function of people living with Alzheimer's disease. If they are given early enough in the course of the disease, these medicines will help people to carry out their daily activities for a longer period of time and may prolong the time that the patients can be managed at home.

There are also medicines that are available to help them manage some of the most troubling symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. These symptoms are depression, behavioral problems, and sleeplessness. These are just a few of the symptoms that can be helped by medications.

It is usually up to the doctor to determine the method of treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Many of the Alzheimer's disease treatment plans are going to depend on the patient's age, overall health, and their medial history. They will also determine the extent of the disease, and the patient's tolerance to certain medications and therapies. Doctors will also take into account their expectations for the course of the disease and use their opinion or preference. Acricept, Exelon, Reminyl, and Cognex seem to help those patients that have mild or moderate symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Another drug called Namenda is prescribed for patients who have moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Vitamin E has also been used to slow down the progression in some patients with dementia.

Antioxidants. Several years ago, a clinical trial showed that vitamin E slowed the progress of some consequences of AD by about 7 months. Additional studies are investigating whether antioxidants, vitamins E and C, can slow AD. Another clinical trial is examining whether vitamin E and/or selenium supplements can prevent AD or cognitive decline, and additional studies on other antioxidants are ongoing or being planned.

Ginkgo biloba. Early studies suggested that extracts from the leaves of the ginkgo biloba tree may be of some help in treating AD symptoms. There is no evidence yet that ginkgo biloba will cure or prevent AD, but scientists now are trying to find out in a clinical trial whether ginkgo biloba can delay cognitive decline or prevent dementia in older people. Estrogen. Some studies have suggested that estrogen used by women to treat the symptoms of menopause also protects the brain. Experts also wondered whether using estrogen could reduce the risk of AD or slow the disease. Clinical trials to test estrogen, however, have not shown that estrogen can slow the progression of already diagnosed AD. And one study found that women over the age of 65 who used estrogen with a progestin were at greater risk of dementia, including AD, and that older women using only estrogen could also increase their chance of developing dementia.

Scientists believe that more research is needed to find out if estrogen may play some role in AD. They would like to know whether starting estrogen therapy around the time of menopause, rather than at age 65 or older, will protect memory or prevent AD.

It is so important to know that with new research and studies, there is no reason to give up hope. There are several drugs that are being studied as well as a formula for a vaccine. These studies are important to the finding of more and more medications that are going to help the progression as well as the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
The most important thing to remember is that there is hope for the disease. There is no reason to give up. The more the patient fights, the better chance they will have at living a normal and more functional lifestyle. Like many other diseases, there will one day be a cure for Alzheimer's disease and people will be able to live normal and healthy lives.

About the Author
Dan Farrell is offering a "Living With Alzheimer's" in ebook format and audio. Learn Coping Techniques Of Afflicted With Alzheimers or Dementia. For more information go to: Living With Alzheimer's

Alzheimers Warning Signs Alzheimers Disease Symptoms Western Alzheimers West of Ireland Alzheimers Foundation

2006-09-08T01:55:00.000-07:00

Alzheimer Disease -Ten Warning Signs To help you know the warning signs to look for, the following is a list of the common symptoms of dementia. Read the list and check the symptoms that concern you. If someone you know shows signs of many of these symptoms they should see a doctor for a complete examination.
1. Memory Loss that affects Job Skills It is normal to forget business meetings or telephone numbers or even appointments with friends occasionally, but remember them later. People with early onset dementia such as Alzheimer's Disease may forget things, especially of recent events and peoples names etc.
2. Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks Busy people can be distracted from time to time and have the vegetables on the cooker and only remember to serve them at the end of the meal. People with dementia might prepare a meal and not only forget to serve it, but also forget they made it.
3. Problems with Language Everyone has trouble finding the right word sometimes, but a person with Alzheimer's Disease may forget simple words or substitute inappropriate words making his or her sentence incomprehensible.
4. Disorientation of Time and Place It is normal to forget the day of the week, month of the year or your destination for a moment. People with Alzheimer's disease can become lost in their own street, not knowing where they are, how they got there or how to get back home.
5. Poor or Decreased Judgement People can be so immersed in an activity that they temporarily forget the child they are watching. People with dementia could entirely forget the cooking dinner or the running tap. They may also dress inappropriately, wearing several blouses, shirts or cardigan etc.
6. Housekeeping Problems Balancing a cheque book or handling financial affairs can be difficult at times for everybody. Someone with Alzheimer's Disease could forget completely what numbers mean, fail to recognise the paper money, what it means and may burn it, throw it away, or hide it.
7. Misplacing Things Anyone can temporarily misplace a wallet or keys. A person with Alzheimer's Disease may put things in unusual places i.e. an iron in the freezer, shoes in the fridge or cups in the hot press.
8. Changes in Mood or Behaviour Everybody can be sad or moody from time to time. Someone with Alzheimer's Disease can have rapid , mood swings, can go from calm to tears, to anger and for no apparent reason.
9. Changes in Personality People's personalities change somewhat with age. But a person with alzheimer's Disease can become suspicious, fearful, withdrawn and uncommunicative.
10. Loss of Initiative It is normal to tire of housework, business activities, or social obligations. People with Alzheimer's Disease may become very passive and require prompting and encouragement for him or her to become involved.
Ref: Harvard Health letter special report. Commonwealth Dept. of Health & Family Services (The Carer Experience)

Alzheimer's disease - Personal story

2006-09-06T03:30:00.000-07:00

While looking for information, I came accross this. I think there may be a few that agree.

Alzheimer's disease - Personal story: "How has your life changed?
It's almost like your life's on hold. The whole day is just geared to filling Jamie's hours and keeping him happy. I do as much as I can on my own. I do some embroidery and so on, but it just feels like my life's on hold for the time being. I keep thinking there's a life after Alzheimer's and, for the time we're together, we'll just take it day by day. If you're looking to the future, it's horrifying. The next step always seems frightening, but once you get into it, it's like, 'Well, so what?' And the next step after that seems difficult. It seems slow. It seems very slow. "

Alzheimer's disease advice

2006-09-06T03:16:00.000-07:00

I would just like to make it clear to my readers, I am not in the medical profession nor have I ever studied medicine. I recommend that anyone looking for treatment for this disease must seek medical advice first. Thanks for reading.

Alzheimer's Disease ebook review

2006-09-04T03:39:00.000-07:00

Recently I purchased an ebook for a natural way to treat Alzheimer’s disease. I don’t like the idea about pumping drugs through my body or anyone else’s. I am not affected by Alzheimer’s disease. A family member was diagnosed about 9 months ago. We all knew there was something wrong and through research I found this ebook which concentrates on good nutrition and the use of supplements. It has only been one month but already there have been subtle signs of improvement. This ebook is certainly a great guide to improving brain function. Below I have included a review by a nutritionist/master herbalist:

“Frank's program has all the makings of a good nutritional supplement program that can get people turned around and on the right track to experiencing a better, well-functioning brain! It's easy to read, accurate, and shows he has some in-depth knowledge that many beginning health professionals seem to lack or even forget.

Moreover, it shows readers that maybe they don't have to take the verdict of memory problems like Alzheimer's as a total downhill process. I've worked with people who have been able to see significant changes in loved ones with
Alzheimer's Disease, just from using various supplements, like the ones mentioned here.

If you're experiencing signs of a bad memory, start with good nutrition! Use the supplements. Go for it! There's nothing better than a well-functioning, well-balanced
mind to go with a well-functioning body!”

Dr. Donna Schwontkowski
Author, Million Dollar Memory for Names & Faces
Chiropractic physician (ret)
Nutritionist/Master Herbalist

If you are interested in checking out the site for this ebook you can find it here

Alzheimer's disease

2006-08-30T02:20:00.000-07:00

Alzheimer's disease

Are you concerned that you or someone you know may have Alzheimer’s disease? Age is the most important risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease; the number of people with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65. Alzheimer’s disease is NOT a normal part of aging.

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized in the brain by abnormal clumps (amyloid plaques) and tangled bundles of fibers (neurofibrillary tangles) composed of misplaced proteins. When these proteins grow larger, they trigger an inflammatory reaction in the brain's immune system that begins to kill surrounding brain cells. This causes deterioration in certain areas of the brain that control thinking, communication, and behavior.

Suspected causes of Alzheimer’s disease are being investigated including factors in the environment, biochemical disturbances and immune processes. Low levels of the nutrients folic acid, pyridoxine (B6), and cobalamin (B12) are common for an individual with Alzheimer’s disease. Altered taurine metabolism has been found in patients with Alzheimer's disease, and it is thought this abnormality might contribute to the characteristic memory loss.

Alzheimer’s disease begins slowly. People may have trouble remembering recent events, activities, or the names of familiar people or things. They may not be able to solve simple math problems. Such difficulties may be a bother, but usually they are not serious enough to cause alarm.

People in the middle stages of Alzheimer’s disease may forget how to do simple tasks like brushing their teeth or combing their hair. They begin to have problems speaking, understanding or writing. Later on, people with Alzheimer’s disease may become anxious or aggressive, or wander away from home. Eventually, patients need total care.

Tests to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease include questions about the person's general health, past medical problems, and ability to carry out daily activities. Other tests for Alzheimer’s disease include memory tests, problem solving, attention, counting, and language skills. Medical tests are generally tests of blood, urine, or spinal fluid.

Some people in the early and middle stages of the disease, the drugs tacrine (Cognex®), donepezil (Aricept®), rivastigmine (Exelon®), or galantamine (RazAlzheimer’s diseaseyne®, formerly known as Reminyl®) may help prevent some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. Another drug, memantine (Namenda®), has been approved to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease, although it also is limited in its effects.

Possible treatment for Alzheimer’s disease includes an antioxidant, vitamin E which doesn't require a prescription. Vitamin E can be purchased over-the-counter. It is best taken under a doctor's supervision to monitor for possible side effects. Another is a dietary supplement that appears to be similar in effectiveness to the Alzheimer's drugs that are currently on the market, huperzine A. However, because huperzine A is a dietary supplement, it isn't regulated in the same manner that Alzheimer's drugs are and quality and purity can't be assured.

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer's

2006-08-28T03:04:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my Alzheimer's blog. Here you will learn some important facts about Alzheimer's disease and possible alternative treatments for an Alzheimer's sufferer.