Alzheimer’s Disease | Comprehensive Health & Medicine Resource

Effective Alzheimer’s ‘Prevention’ Treatments

Alzheimer’s is one of the most degenerative diseases known to man, causing patients to lose their mental faculties slowly over time. Unfortunately there is no known cure for the disease at this time, although many doctors believe that certain lifestyle choices and medicines can help slow the onset of the disease. The question is, which course of treatments are the most effective?

Exercise

Diseases usually associated with a lack of exercise, such as hypertension and cardiovascular disorders, have been proven to have an accelerating effect on Alzheimer’s. However, patients that have taken cholesterol-reducing drugs such as statins have also shown no signs in slowing the illness, so the best course of action is to exercise regularly and refrain from smoking. Research into Alzheimer’s has also shown that aspects of a Mediterranean diet, such as fruit and olive oil, can lower the risk of patients suffering from the disease.

Vitamins

Although taking supplementary vitamins can help patients combat a number of severe illnesses, there are no significant studies that show such tablets help fight the onset of Alzheimer’s. Indeed, taking too many vitamins such as Vitamin E can actually lead to increased health risks, so it is best to consult your doctor before embarking on any course of vitamin medication.

Brain Stimulation

One of the best preventions of Alzheimer’s may be intellectual activity such as reading or playing a musical instrument. This is one of the basic tenements of cognitive reserve theory, which presents the hypothesis that undertaking certain tasks in life results in a more effective firing of neurons and brain cells, keeping them healthier. Learning an additional language has also been shown to fight Alzheimer’s effectively.

Medical Marijuana

Smoking marijuana has also been shown to have some effect in fighting Alzheimer’s. The drug prevents certain deposits collecting in the brain which can speed up the disease, and has even been shown to be more effective in this area that many other conventional medications.

Considering no known cure for Alzheimer’s has yet been found, one may find that the best course of action is to try and prevent the disease from ever occurring with exercise, both physical and mental.

Considering the Implications of home care for Alzheimer’s patients

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For the families of those who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, the issue of care is one that will likely cause a lot of sleepless nights.

If a satisfactory decision is to be reached then everyone involved will have to face some uncomfortable truths. While it is perfectly natural for the children and grandchildren of Alzheimer’s patients to wish to take the responsibility of care for themselves, this may not always be a realistic or viable option. Alzheimer’s patients are unpredictable at times and can demonstrate behaviors that may be disruptive to a family home.

Considering to handle Alzheimer’s on their own is commendable and one should not blame them for trying, but the truth is that there are factors that need to be carefully weighed before trying to take on this formidable task.

Is this care going to be appropriate for the family? Does the primary care-giver know and fully understand how to care for a sick and confused elderly patient? Does this care-giver have the patience and understanding to cope with the frustrations that come from caring for Alzheimer’s.

Are there children involved and if so what ages are the children. Is the love and attention required for the children going to be compromised at the expense of the elder?

The sad reality is that for Alzheimer’s patients, the world is a confusing and disturbing place. They can and will take out their frustrations on anyone who is near them. It is important that relatives of Alzheimer patients understand that residential care facilities have staff who are specially trained to handle and care for these patients and it is not an unkindness to place them in their capable and professional hands, enabling you to take care of your own children. All that your loved one would have asked of you when they were healthy and well is that you do not forget them. So make sure that you visit often, be confident that you are doing the best thing for your entire family and most of all be at peace within yourself that you have done the right thing.