What You Need to Know About Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder that mostly affects the elderly. The disease affects many areas of the brain, making a person experience memory loss, mood swings, and decreased cognitive functioning. Understanding Alzheimer’s disease: Symptoms and treatment options can help one provide better care and support for their loved ones affected by this devastating disease.
Early Alzheimer’s Warning signs
The early stages of Alzheimer’s diseases differ from one person to another. However, some of the most common symptoms include:
- Memory loss
- Difficulty carrying out familiar tasks
- Difficulty communicating clearly
- Misplacing items and getting lost easily
Mid-stage Alzheimer’s symptoms
In the mid-stage, Alzheimer’s disease mostly leads to dementia. Some actions you may need to observe closely during this stage include:
- Mood swings and agitation
- An increase in confusion and memory loss
- Wandering and falling out of bed
- The patient requires much support with daily tasks.
Treatment Opt6ions for Alzheimer’s disease
There are no universal treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. However, drug therapy poses effective treatment options that sometimes delay disease progression, helps maintain daily functions, and reduce the behavioural symptoms that come with the disease diagnosis.
- Cholingeric Drugs – these enhance brain cell mass and improve communication among brain cells
- Memantine – regulates production of brain chemicals and slows disease progression
- Antidepressants – decrease agitation and depression symptoms in persons affected by Alzheimer’s disease
As the patient’s needs change, different therapies such as occupational, physical, and speech therapy may significantly reduce caregiver burden and strengthen the homestead support system.
Conclusion
Understanding Alzheimer’s disease: Symptoms and treatment options is critically important in providing quality care for persons diagnosed with the disease. Working with qualified healthcare professionals provides insight into best treatment practices and improves the patients’ quality of life. Remember to maintain optimism, patience, and a positive outlook despite encountering difficult situations.