Posted: September 1st, 2022

Dementia Treatment

Dementia Treatment
Dementia is a medical condition characterized by loss of memory, impaired thinking and reasoning, among other abilities that are vital in a person’s daily life. There are many causes of dementia, but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. According to studies, more than 60% of people with dementia also have Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia is not a single disease by itself, but rather a term used to describe a group of symptoms of impairment in memory, thinking, learning, and communication. Dementia is more prevalent among older people, but it is a normal part of the aging process. A 2010 study disclosed that approximately 4.7 million people in the United States were living with Alzheimer’s disease.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing dementia can be quite challenging because of the wide range of symptoms associated with the condition. In the initial stages, a person may have mild or no symptoms at all. But as time passes, the symptoms often increase and become more apparent. Since there is no specific test to diagnose dementia, the doctor will perform a series of tests that measure thinking ability, including memory, skills, communication, reasoning, and judgment for an accurate diagnosis and to determine the stage and the severity of the condition.
Treatment
Dementia cannot be cured. Treatment option incorporates medications and therapy, which help manage symptoms.
Medications
Medications are used to tame and improve symptoms temporarily. The most commonly used medicines include:
• Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. They work by hindering the breakdown of acetylcholine. Acetylcholine is a chemical found in the brain that aids memory and judgment. The side effects associated with these drugs may include nausea, dizziness, and vomiting. The most common types of Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are donepezil (Aricept), galantamine (Razadyne), and rivastigmine (Exelon).
• Memantine. Also known as Namenda, this medicine is used by people with mild to moderate dementia. The drug works by blocking excess production of glutamate, a chemical found in the brain associated learning and memory.
Medications such as anti-depressants and antipsychotics can also be used to address other symptoms like depression, anxiety, hallucinations, sleep problems, and agitation.
Therapy for dementia
Therapy is also used to reduce the severity of symptoms. There are various types of talk therapies, including occupational therapy and cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), that can be used. Therapy helps identify what triggers certain behaviors and come up with appropriate interventions for them.
People with dementia also need a lot of support from close relatives and friends. If you have a relative living with dementia, try to learn as much as you can about the diseases, listen to them, learn what triggers their symptoms, and give them the assurance they need by being supportive and positive with them.

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