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Archive for the ‘Alzheimer’s Disease’ Category

The causes of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, but their symptoms are real: loss of memory and the ability to reason and communicate, sudden changes in behavior, loss of urinary control and physical functions like walking or sitting, and eventually total dependence.

People who suffer from this devastating ill have a buildup of a sticky substance called amyloid-protein from the A-beta, which accumulates around nerve cells and blood vessels in the brain. Healthy cells throughout the body produces this substance, but in people with Alzheimer produce more of what the brain can control. The greater the amount of amyloid, the greater the degree of dementia or loss of ability to think, remember and reason.

While cholesterol is a substance the body needs to form cell membranes, some hormones and tissues, studies suggest that certain forms of cholesterol promote the production of a protein that is the main component of amyloid in the brain.

What is believed to be the trigger of atherosclerosis and Alzheimer’s is unable to be tested. The expectation is that a good cardiovascular circulation have a detoxifying effect on the brain.

The pharmaceutical industries are trying to develop drugs that inhibit the production of protein A-beta or facilitate the removal of invasive brain amyloid.

Until recently, there was no scientific evidence to determine that consume large amounts of vitamin E and other antioxidants reduce the risk of diseases such as Alzheimer’s. However, recent studies published in the United States say that it might link the consumption of these nutrients and reducing the risk of contracting the disease.

Current research interest in putting the results of clinical trials that test the effectiveness of vitamin E and other antioxidants in the prevention of cognitive decline that comes with age and is accentuated in patients with dementia.
It has also been found that supplements of vitamins E and D have shown a significant protective effect against memory problems and loss of mental capacity and the loss of cognitive function deteriorated from atherosclerosis or clogged arteries.

The study shows that antioxidants are one of the ten best ways to preserve the memory, and that protect brain cells from free radicals, toxic resulting from oxidation.

The other way to prevent memory loss are:

1. follow a diet low in fat;

2. physical activity;

3. maintaining mental stimulation;

4. reduce stress;

5. eat foods with vitamin B complex;

6. eat fish and olive oil;

7. use the therapeutic powers of ginkgo biloba;

8. treatments with estrogen;

9. have? healthy relationships? with people

Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure

Research conducted by Dr. Hugh Hendrie, professor in the School of Medicine, Indiana University, also suggests that other factors besides genetics, such as high blood pressure, excess fat and high cholesterol levels, increase the risk of dementia or Alzheimer’s disease two to two and a half.

It is known that low cholesterol and low pressure prevents the onset of heart disease but not know that high cholesterol could mean a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease. This should, according to studies, the destruction of nerve cells in the brain.

You may then conclude that what is bad for the heart is for the brain. We must pay attention to risk factors associated with heart disease to also prevent Alzheimer’s disease. And Prevention use the same: consumption of antioxidants such as vitamins A, C and E, anti-inflammatory drugs and exercise, experts say.

Also noteworthy is that hormone replacement therapy in postmenopausal women apply are not yet a factor in delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, but estrogen is good for controlling cholesterol, which ends up being beneficial for the brain.

Council to ensure Alzheimer Patient Better Quality of Life
* Do not ask your family to do many things or to make them quickly, have you patience.
* Let time to organize their things and understanding what is being said, so talk slowly, softly, repeating
the above if necessary.
* It should keep you busy in something you like, that person feel good, organized with the person (if possible) life routinely to facilitate their activities in food, clothing, toiletries, recreation, etc.., Do a schedule for doing things the person is disoriented and less frequently.
* If the patient is still able to teach him to take notes of everything you do. Always put things in the same place, this will help the individual to remember, not to become disoriented and have no accidents.
* Let time to remember the word forgotten.
* Encourage where possible, to loosen and become involved with their friends, and overcome the tendency to isolate himself and stay home.

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Diagnosis

The diagnosis of clinical disease is based on the presence in the patient of the following elements:

• Sudden onset and progressively worsening.
• Presence of impairment of memory, especially recent memory, especially at the onset of the disease.
• The neurological examination is negative for abnormal gait, incoordination of movements or abnormal reflexes.

Treatment

There is no cure for this disease. The drug treatment is aimed at treating some symptoms of the patient (anxiety, agitation, insomnia, depression) in order to reduce the disruption caused by the disease.

If you are a person in charge of caring for a patient with Alzheimer’s disease and this administer the medication, remember that:

• No change in dose of a drug (either increase or decrease) only if the doctor explicitly.
• Store medicines in a cool, dry and protected from light and keep the patient out of reach, preferably locked, since the person can take more dosages of the prescription by the doctor, with consequent danger of intoxication.
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General
Disease characterized by the onset of mental disorders such as persecutory delusions, memory impairment, temporal and spatial disorientation, problems with language comprehension, memory loss and desultory conversation.

Alzheimer’s disease usually strikes people over age 65 but can also affect younger people. It is often accompanied by cerebral symptoms such as altered gait, coordination of movements or changes in reflexes.

Main symptoms

During the first two years with Alzheimer’s disease, patients suffer from disorientation and memory loss of recent events. Later, the patient will have frequent problems due to progressive memory loss, trial, concentration, speech, and physical coordination. This is the stage during which the patient may forget to bathe and have problems with activities that previously you were routine. Eventually, either the patient’s family and / or their caregivers have to constantly monitor the patient because of their tendency to move away and get lost, and senseless act in socially inappropriate ways.

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