AllRefer Health - Caring for your Well Being  

Home | About | FAQs | Contact Us

AllRefer Channels :: Yellow Pages | Reference | Health  

Diseases & Conditions
Select & Go
 Diet & Nutrition
 Diseases & Conditions 
 Health News
 Injuries & Wounds
 Poisons & Overdoses
 Surgery & Procedures 
 Symptoms Guide
 Special Topics
 Tests & Exams
 Pictures & Images
 Medical Encyclopedia
Google
  Web health.allrefer.com   

You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's Disease

Provided by A.D.A.M.

Definition

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Symptoms & Signs

Prevention

Diagnosis & Tests

Treatment

Expectations or Prognosis

Complications

Support Groups

Calling Your Health Care Provider

Pictures & Images

Go To Main Page

Alternate Names : Senile Dementia/Alzheimer's Type (SDAT)


     See all Pictures & Images
Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

AD cannot be cured and the impaired functions cannot be restored. Currently, the progression can be slowed but not stopped.

Treatment focuses on attempting to slow the progression; managing the behavior problems, confusion, and agitation; modifying the home environment; and most importantly, supporting the family. As the disease progresses, it may take a greater toll on the family than the patient.

DRUG TREATMENT

There are currently three drugs available to try to slow the progression of the disease and possibly improve cognitive function. These three are tacrine (Cognex), donepezil (Aricept), and rivastigmine (Exelon).

All three affect the level of acetylcholine (a neurotransmitter) in the brain. All three have potential side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.

Tacrine, the first drug of this type approved, also causes an elevation in liver enzymes and must be taken four times a day. It is now seldom used.

Of the two other drugs, Aricept has been available longer. It is taken once a day and has been reported to improve or stabilize cognitive functioning and is well tolerated. Exelon, a new drug, shows a similar effectiveness like Aricept and is taken twice a day. New drugs are scheduled for release in the near future.

To improve cognitive function, it may be necessary to stop medications that worsen confusion or that are not essential to the care of the person. This may include medications (such as anticholinergics, analgesics, cimetidine, central nervous system depressants, antihistamines, sleeping pills, and other medications).

BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS

Underlying disorders that contribute to confusion should be identified and treated. These include heart failure, decreased oxygen (hypoxia), thyroid disorders, anemia, nutritional disorders, infections, and psychiatric conditions (such as depression). The correction of these medical and psychiatric disorders often greatly improves the patient's mental function.

Medications may be required to control aggressive, agitated or dangerous behaviors. These are usually given in very low doses, with adjustment as required.

Behavior modification may be helpful for some people in controlling unacceptable or dangerous behaviors. This consists of rewarding appropriate or positive behaviors and ignoring inappropriate behaviors (within the bounds of safety).

MODIFYING THE HOME ENVIRONMENT

The person with AD will need support in the home as the disease worsens. Family members or other caregivers can help by understanding how the person with AD perceives his or her world. Provide structured activities that promote the remaining abilities and reduce the effects of the compromised abilities.

Simplify the patient's surroundings, and give frequent reminders, notes, lists of routine tasks, or directions for daily activities. Give the person with AD a chance to talk about their challenges and to participate in their own care.

OTHER PRACTICAL STEPS

The sensory functions of the person with AD should be evaluated. If deficits are found, the patient should be assisted by hearing aids, glasses, and cataract surgery as appropriate. General nutrition and health maintenance is important, but special diets or nutritional supplements are usually unnecessary. Exercise is important and should be encouraged.

Eventually, 24-hour monitoring and assistance may be required to provide a safe environment, control aggressive or agitated behavior, and meet physiologic needs. This may include in-home care, nursing homes, adult day care, or convalescent homes.



Today's Top News Stories

Twofold Action Urged for Pre-Diabetes - Jul 23, 2008, 16:00
Goal is to prevent progression to the full-blown disease and its huge costs

Targeted Drug Boosts Survival Among Liver Cancer Patients - Jul 23, 2008, 17:00
Sorafenib added three months for those with advanced disease, study finds.

Simple Procedure Improves Male Fertility - Jul 23, 2008, 14:00
Correcting varicose veins in scrotum boosts sperm count, motility, study finds.

Soy Linked to Low Sperm Count - Jul 23, 2008, 19:00
Could affect fertility, especially in overweight and obese men, researchers report.

Clinical Trials Update: July 23, 2008 - Jul 23, 2008, 09:58


<

^ Top

>


Jump to another section

Definition
Alzheimer's Disease Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Alzheimer's Disease Symptoms & Signs
Alzheimer's Disease Prevention
Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis & Tests
Alzheimer's Disease Treatment
Alzheimer's Disease Prognosis
Alzheimer's Disease Complications
Alzheimer's Disease Support Groups
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Tests & Exams

CT Scan
MRI

Other Topics

Alzheimer's - Resources
Alzheimer's Disease Epidemic?
Autosomal Dominant

Review Date : 5/30/2002
Reviewed By : Galit Kleiner-Fisman, M.D., FRCP(C), Department of Neurology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

Main Page of Alzheimer's Disease






Featured Topics

Alzheimer's Disease

High Blood Pressure

Crohn's Disease

Impotence

Overactive Bladder


ADAM

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial reviewers. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

Copyright © 2007 AllRefer.com All Rights reserved.
Health Topics: A-Al Am-Az B C-Cj Ck-Cz D E F G H I J K L M N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sl Sm-Sz T U V W X Y Z 0-9
About Us | Help | Privacy Policy | Editorial Policy | Advertising Policy | Accessibility | Terms of Use
Contact Us | Link to Us | User Satisfaction Survey | Healthopedia.com
Page Last Updated: 23 Jul, 2008