Alzheimer's Treatments

Treating Alzheimer's disease is a challenge, and the number of cases of Alzheimer's is expected to grow. Alzheimer's is a condition that increases in likelihood with age, and as the American population gets steadily older, the expected occurrence of Alzheimer's is expected to increase to one in 45 citizens. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer's, and at this point in time Alzheimer's treatments are limited. Most of the Alzheimer's treatments available today are intended to help prevent the worsening of the symptoms of Alzheimer's and to help control and issues that arise from the symptoms.

Treating Alzheimer's

There are a number of Alzheimer's treatments available, most of which are intended to help control the symptoms of Alzheimer's as opposed to curing the condition. Sensory therapies are popular Alzheimer's treatments. Sensory therapies include things like listening to music, reading, and studying art. By stimulating the sense, and by forcing the brain to make connective pathways, doctors hope to slow the degenerative effects of Alzheimer's. Although sensory therapy is not considered to be an Alzheimer's cure, it is becoming a popular Alzheimer's treatment and prevention method.

Another popular way to treat Alzheimer's is a lifestyle change. Studies have found, but not concluded, that eating a Mediterranean Diet, one that is high in fish and other healthy oils, can help to prevent Alzheimer's symptoms. Once again this is not an Alzheimer's cure, but it is an easy way for most people to try and treat Alzheimer's. Supplements are another popular way for people to get many of the same nutrients that are found in the Mediterranean diet.

Alzheimer's Medication

Like the other Alzheimer's treatments, Alzheimer's medication is designed to help slow the progression of the disease and to help curb the symptoms of Alzheimer's. There are many different Alzheimer's medications available, and depending on the patient's symptoms, different Alzheimer's medication may be prescribed. One of the most popular Alzheimer's medications is Cholinesterase inhibitors. Cholinesterase inhibitors help to stop the breakdown of important chemicals in the brain that lead to the degeneration of the brain's pathways. These drugs can carry semi-serious side effects like nausea and vomiting, but they are still one of the preferred Alzheimer's treatments.

Other medications that are used in conjunction with Alzheimer's medications to form a more complete Alzheimer's treatment include antidepressants like Prozac, and Anxiolytics like which help to control anxiety. In some cases, patients take antipsychotic medications to help with hallucinations and other extreme Alzheimer's symptoms. However, these Alzheimer's medications have been linked to increases in death, and thus only used in advanced cases to help improve quality of life among people who are experience intense Alzheimer's symptoms.