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You are here : AllRefer.com > Health > Diseases & Conditions > Dementia: Treatment of Dementia

Dementia

Provided by A.D.A.M.

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Alternate Names : Chronic Brain Syndrome


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Dementia Treatment

The goal of treatment is to control the symptoms of dementia. Treatment varies with the specific disorder. Hospitalization may be needed for a short time. The underlying causes should be identified and treated, including treatment for reversible organic lesions such as tumors.

Stopping or changing medications that worsen confusion or that are not essential to the care of the person may improve cognitive function. Medications that contribute to confusion include anticholinergics, analgesics, cimetidine, central nervous system depressants, lidocaine, and others.

Disorders that contribute to confusion should also be treated. These include heart failure, decreased oxygen (hypoxia), thyroid disorders, anemia, nutritional disorders, infections, and psychiatric conditions such as depression. Correction of coexisting medical and psychiatric disorders often greatly improves mental functioning.

Medications may be needed to control aggressive or agitated behaviors that are dangerous to the person with dementia or to others. These are usually given in very low doses and adjusted as necessary.

Possible medications for this use include the following:

  • Anti-psychotics, given at night
  • Serotonin-affecting drugs (trazodone, buspirone)
  • Dopamine blockers (haloperidol, Risperidal, olanzapine, clozapine)
  • Cholinesterase inhibitors [donepezil (aricept), rivastigmine (exelon), or the newly approved galantamine (reminyl) for Alzheimer's-type dementia]
  • Fluoxetine, imipramine, or Celexa to help stabilize mood
  • Stimulant drugs (such as methylphenidate) to increase activity and spontaneity
  • Vitamin E

Sensory function should be evaluated regularly and hearing aids, glasses, or cataract surgery should be provided as needed.

Formal psychiatric treatment such as psychotherapy or group therapy is seldom helpful because it may overload the limited cognitive resources in the person with dementia.

LONG-TERM TREATMENT:

Providing a safe environment, controlling aggressive or agitated behavior, and meeting the physiologic needs of a person with dementia may require monitoring and assistance in the home or in an institutionalized setting. Possible options include in-home care, boarding homes, adult day care, and convalescent homes.

Visiting nurses or aides, volunteer services, homemakers, adult protective services, and other community resources may help in caring for the person with dementia. In some communities, support groups may be available (see elder care - support group), and family counseling can help family members cope with home care.

In any care setting, there should be familiar objects and people. Lights can be left on at night to reduce disorientation. The activity schedule should be simple. Behavior modification may help some people to control unacceptable or dangerous behavior. This consists of rewarding appropriate behaviors and ignoring inappropriate ones (within the bounds of safety). Reality orientation, with repeated reinforcement of environmental and other cues, may also help reduce disorientation.

Legal advice may be appropriate early in the course of the disorder, before the person with dementia becomes too incapacitated to make decisions. Advance directives, power of attorney, and other legal actions may make it easier to decide about the care of the person with dementia.



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Definition
Dementia Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Dementia Symptoms & Signs
Dementia Prevention
Dementia Diagnosis & Tests
Dementia Treatment
Dementia Prognosis
Dementia Complications
Calling Your Health Care Provider
Pictures & Images

Topics that might be of interest to you

Diseases & Conditions

Anemia
Delirium
Dementia due to Metabolic Causes
Heart Failure
Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH)
Thyroid Diseases

Tests & Exams

Catecholamines - Blood
CHEM-20
Cranial CT Scan
CSF Cell Count
EEG
Glucose Test
Liver Function Tests
Mental Status Tests
MRI of the Head
Serum Calcium
Thyroid Function Tests
Toxicology Screen
TSH
Urinalysis
Vitamin B-12 Level

Surgery & Procedures

Cataract Removal

Other Topics

Acute
Advanced Care Directives
Agitation
Ammonia
Central Nervous System
Chronic
Confusion
Consciousness - Decreased
Depression
Elder Care - Resources
Inability to Use Objects and Perform Tasks
Muscle Function Loss
Pain Medications
Resources
Skin Discoloration - Bluish
Sleeping Difficulty
Speech Impairment (Adult)
Stress and Anxiety
Urinary Incontinence
Walking/Gait Abnormalities

Review Date : 5/21/2002
Reviewed By : Alberto Espay, M.D., Department of Neurology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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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.

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