Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Therapy For Alzheiners Disease Showing Slow Promise

Currently, there are few questionable medications being used in therapy for Alzheimers Disease and there is no known cure. However, some promise is being seen in three drugs currently on the market, as well as in some herbs in treating some of the symptoms of the disease. There are three main areas in which a person with alzheimers may need medical intervention, memory, behavior and daily living.

One of the leading causes of alzheimers is aging and there is no known therapy for Alzheimers Disease caused by this natural process. There is also indication that a gene that may be responsible for Alzheimers causing it to run in families is exceptionally rare, indicating that other than age and other issues with degenerative processes of the brain are responsible. Without an absolute certainty associated with the cause of the ailment and no known cure, therapy for Alzheimers Disease is currently based on possible treatment of memory, behavior and daily living.

In its earliest stages, a person may suffer memory lapses or behavioral changes so subtle that not even close family members will probably recognize them. As the disease advances, patients can still perform most daily functions on their own, but due to a loss of some cognitive abilities may require assistance. In the third stage, they most likely cannot perform even the simplest tasks and will need help with most activities. The cognitive process may be damaged to the point they do not recognize even those people closest to them.

Some Progress Seen In Cognitive Therapies

In many recent studies the use of Ginkgo Biloba in the therapy for Alzheimers Disease has shown promise in helping reduce the effects of cognitive impairment and dementia, although as the disease progresses, its benefit may be reduced. Some recent alternative methods to be used in therapy for Alzheimers Disease suggests the use of Vitamin E, however it is also warned that too high of a dose can also cause cardiac problems.

As the disease’s degenerative traits continue to worsen, occupational therapy may provide some aid, but over time, the patient’s ability to perform simple, daily tasks will degrade to the point that occupational therapy for Alzheimers Disease will no longer be productive.

When the disease has reached a certain height in it attack on the brain, the person will require almost constant care. While many can survive at home with family members serving as full-time caregivers, some patients, especially those with other ailments, may be better receiving therapy for Alzheimers Disease in an assisted living arrangement.

1 comment:

p.hicks said...

I am constantly amazed to see sad stories about this vile illness and the fact that no one is on any type of detox diet.....rather they are having enormous amounts of drugs that surely make this condition worse?? My own mother died after much suffering from this illness and I also went through a period of illness and struggled mentally until I discovered that was I greatly affected by things like tap water, I now live on a detox diet as much as is practically possible and have seen quite an improvement in my own health, there is much research in the US that gives evidence of high levels of toxins in the brains of late sufferers of Alzheimers.....surely this is indicative that certain people are at risk of exposure to toxins that can be avoided and their mental health improved....am I the only person who has heeded this advise?? I am happy to impart what I have found after many hours reading about various theories on toxins and dimentia illnesses should anyone be interested.