Posts Tagged ‘Alzheimer’s Disease’
Alzheimer's Treatments Discussed
Like most diseases, those who have Alzheimer’s or those who are family members or close friends of those who have Alzheimer’s disease may be looking towards alternative treatments in hopes of bring relief or to prolong quality of life to those who suffer from the disease. Herbal remedies, and dietary supplements and others may be involved in alternative treatments.
A patient or the patient’s family should always discuss alternative treatments with the doctor caring for the individual with Alzheimer’s when the treatment plan is being devised or modified. Alzheimer's is a complicated disease with no two individuals going through the course of the disease with the exact same symptoms or in the exact same intensity or progression. When designing and implementing a treatment plan many factors should be taken into consideration. Most treatment plans for those with Alzheimer's involve a combination of medicated and non-medicated methods. Patients or other concerned individuals should, for the safety of the individual with Alzheimer’s seek competent medical resources when investigating alternative methods of treating Alzheimer’s and consult with the main doctor treating the specific patient before making any changes in the treatment of that individual to prevent side effects or adverse reactions from other elements of the treatment plan with any new alternative treatment.
It is important to investigate any source of herbal or supplemental remedy for quality and respectability of the manufacturer. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not do the same rigorous scientific research on these herbal or supplemental remedies as it does on prescription medications therefore it is up to the consumer to make sure that they do adequate amounts of research to validate the claims made by companies selling herbal or supplemental remedies.
Some alternative treatments may have some benefit but they may also cause legitimate concerns regarding effectiveness and safety. When combining alternative remedies with traditional treatments both medicated and non-medicated; it is important to keep in mind the need for not only the effectiveness and safety of such herbal and supplemental remedies but purity, and adverse reactions.
Coenzyme Q10 is one supplement that has been linked with Alzheimer’s disease. It is an antioxidant that normally occurs in the body and the body uses it for normal cell reactions. There are no current adequate studies regarding Coenzyme Q10 and its effectiveness for its use in treating those with Alzheimer’s disease.
Coral calcium is a supplement that has been given much publicity regarding being a "cure for Alzheimer's disease" and other diseases. In 2003, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) filed complaints against those who distribute and promote Coral Calcium as a “cure for Alzheimer’s” because they believed there were no documented support or evidence of the health claims being made by these companies. It is important that anyone taking any herbal or supplements make sure that the companies they are dealing with are reputable.
Ginkgo biloba is a plant extract that possibly contains an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory property that may protect cell membranes and also may regulate neurotransmitter function that may have a positive effect on memory. There was one study done and published in the Journal of the American Medical Association in 1997 that shows modest improvement in the cognitive function of study participants regarding daily living tasks and social behavior but found no overall difference in overall impairment. Further research was determined to be needed. Other studies of Ginkgo biloba are currently being conducted.
More information on Alzheimer’s Disease
Anti-Aging
Anti Aging Alzheimer’s is an incurable and deadly disease that that steals its victim’s intellect. It also takes a toll on the family as this disease is known for causing incredible psychological strain on caregivers as the symptoms of the disease take hold. According to some estimates, this disease effects more than 26.6 million people world wide.
Fortunately, a new light of hope is just over the horizon. New studies have found that a chemical in red wine, in large dosages, may slow or even halt the progress of Alzheimer’s.
First let’s talk a bit about Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is an incurable degenerative and terminal disease that typically does not surface until after 65. During early stages, Alzheimer’s is often mistakenly identified as normal age related dementia. Alzheimer’s causes a slow decline in mental health with symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, irritability and fear. health benefit In its later stages the disease causes the individual’s mental state will become increasingly worse, often causing severe stress for the caregivers and in the final stages the patient will become typically bedridden and eventually the failing body will die due to another cause, such as pneumonia.
This is just horrible for the person experiencing the disease, but their loved ones and caregivers are forced to watch as the persons personality is stripped from them and they become something akin to a frightened angry child.
While the exact causes of Alzheimer’s is unknown, but the most popular theory is that the diseases causes something called amyloid plaque to begin to build up on brain nerves. This plaque build up begins to interfere with transmission of signals blocking their ability to send signals and eventually kill the nerve. This blocking and destruction of the nerve cells is what causes the symptoms to appear and grow worse. Possibly the most exciting discovery to come out of Resveratrol research was that it might slow or even stop this plaque build up.
According to studies, mice were found to have smaller levels of plaque. As of now, no research has shown that Resveratrol can cure Alzheimer’s; we at least have a potential way to slow or stop the destruction of our brains and personalities.
nutrition health To make the situation even better, Resveratrol has also been shown by studies to have another positive health effects. These potential health benefits include things like arthritis protection, longevity benefits, cardiovascular support and more.
When you decide to take Resveratrol you should make sure that you also supplement it with ASEA to help boost the absorption.
Are There Any New Treatments For Alzheimers
Although there are thousands who suffer with alzheimers disease, there are available treatments for alzheimers. There is still not a lot of information known about this disease and why it strikes so many people. Through constant research we have learned how alzheimers actually affects the brain, resulting in cognitive impairment of the patient. What we think of as being easy things to do would become challenging to an alzheimers sufferer. Doing simple everyday tasks will become very difficult for the person to do, and in many cases this can lead to serious injuries.
Although we keep hanging on for future treatments for alzheimers to be discovered. As yet there still has not been a cure discovered for disease, Yes there is medication what can slow the progress of the disease down, but after all this suffering and watching your loved turn into a empty shell, the sad part is they are probably going to die from this disease.
Everyday scientists are working and new research is been carried out, and yes they might not find a cure in the next ten years, but hopefully they will come up with future treatments for alzheimers disease. It may not be a complete cure but if a persons life can be inmproved, it can only be a good thing.
You might not like this idea but, there is a option for some people who have alzheimers to be used as test patients, now I know this may frighten some people, but if by doing this, the doctors can monitor the affects and changes the patient goes through, this could help future treatment for alzheimers.
Further research into alzheimers disease, or any other disease is often an expensive undertaking. There are plenty charities out there which you could donate to if you wish. There are plenty of resources online or you could even check the yellow pages. Without doing all the research for this disease the day will never come when they find a cure for this degenerating disease.
I think until you are dealing with someone close to you that has been diagnosed with alzheimers you don’t really know how horrific and heartbreaking this disease can be. watching someone you care for going through such an ordeal, and knowing that this person will probably die from the disease, is not an easy thing to cope with. Although funding for future alzheimers have been increased, there still needs to be a lot of work done before a cure can be found for this awful disease.
Learning To Understand Alzheimer’s Disease
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
At the present time there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, though it is the most common form of dementia. Named for German physician, Alois Alzheimer, the disease was described first by him in 1906. This brain disorder is becoming more common rapidly.
Alzheimer’s destroys brain cells. This causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior severe enough to affect work, lifelong hobbies or social life. However, this disease isn’t just about losing your memory, it’s a progressive and fatal disease.
Now surpassing diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease has become the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States.
Even more chilling facts about Alzheimer’s:
- As many as 5.2 million people are already living with Alzheimer’s in the United States.
- 10 million baby boomers will develop Alzheimer’s in their lifetime.
- About every 71 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.
- Alzheimer’s and other dementias costs to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses, both directly and indirectly, amount to more than $148 billion each year.
Perhaps the most surprising of these facts is that people are getting diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at much earlier ages now. Just last year, over 500,000 people under 65 years of age were diagnosed, and even more startling, some of those were in their 20’s and 30’s.
What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease
Naturally our brains age as we get older, just as the rest of our body does. However, the brain of someone with Alzheimer’s shows far greater changes than usual.
Consider that the brain has 100 billion neurons (nerve cells). The nerve cells communicate with each other to form networks, and these networks have special jobs. There are networks for thinking. Some are used for remembering and learning. Some networks work to help us hear, see and smell, while still other networks control our muscle movement.
Like a tiny factory, each of these nerve cell networks need to take in supplies, generate energy, construct something, get rid of waste plus process and store information.
The nerve network cell factories in people with Alzheimer’s quit working correctly for some reason. When one section of the system breaks down, it produces a cascade effect and soon other parts have problems as well. The cells can no longer do their job eventually and die.
Even though the process isn’t totally understood yet by scientists, there are two prime suspects for this sabotage.
- Between the nerve cells there is a build up of plaques. Plaques contain deposits of a protein fragment called beta-amyloid (BAY-tuh AM-uh-loyd).
- Tangles are twisted fibers of another protein called tau (rhymes with “wow”). These tangles form inside dying cells.
While most people develop some plaques and tangles as they age, those with Alzheimer’s tend to develop far more than is usual. Tangles and plaques tend to form in a predictable pattern, beginning in areas important in learning and memory and then spreading to other regions.Plaques and tangles are thought to somehow block communication among nerve cells and disrupt activities that cells need to survive.
Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
The Alzheimer’s Association has developed a list of warning signs for Alzheimer’s Disease. They include the following:
- Memory loss.
- Difficulty performing familiar tasks.
- Having problems with language.
- Disorientation to time and place.
- Judgment decreased or poor.
- Trouble with abstract thinking.
- Misplacing things.
- Behavior changes or mood changes.
- Differences in personality.
- There’s a loss of initiative.
For a more complete explanation of the warning signs, visit The Alzheimer’s Association’s website.
It’s important part of caring for your health to learn about Alzheimer’s, how it affects people and what signs to look for, plus keep up with the latest health news. Younger people are now getting this disease, so it’s never too early to learn about Alzheimer’s!