Alzheimer’s Treatment
Alzheimer’s disease is a gradual
degeneration of the brain’s cognitive function. The symptoms could
be anything from memory lapses, inability to remember or retain
newly learned information, impaired judgment, disorientation as to
time and place, difficulty in handling simple tasks, and problems
with language, to even behavioral and personality changes.
Though much research is currently
being conducted to gain a deeper insight on the disease, there is
still no cure for it. There are, however, Alzheimer’s treatments
that have the potential to alter the course of the disease and
improve the quality of life for those who are affected.
Below are some of the Alzheimer’s
treatment options you have:
Standard Prescriptions
Affected persons often resort to
medications as an Alzheimer’s treatment. To understand how these
medications work you first have to understand how Alzheimer’s
destroys some of the brain cells of an affected individual. The
symptoms of the Alzheimer’s occur when brain cells die and their
connections with each other are disrupted. Exactly why this happens,
medical science has yet to find out, but it appears that certain
conditions cause the degeneration of acetycholine, an
important brain chemical that aids in memory and thinking.
Many of the Alzheimer’s treatment
drugs currently prescribed by doctors today help prevent the
breakdown of this brain chemical. They are called cholinesterase
inhibitors and among them are rivastigmine and donepezil.
Memantine is another Alzheimer’s treatment that is classified as an
uncompetitive low to moderate affinity N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA)
receptor antagonist, specifically preventing symptoms of moderate to
severe Alzheimer’s disease.
Alternative Alzheimer’s Treatment
There are several herbal remedies and
dietary supplements that are said to be effective Alzheimer’s
treatments. For those who are in the market for alternative means of
alleviating the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, these may prove to be sound
options. However, it should be noted that the claims of these
Alzheimer’s treatments are largely based on testimonials, tradition,
and only a very small body of scientific research.
These Alzheimer’s treatments include
the following:
 |
Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) – an
antioxidant that helps reduce free radical damage |
|
Ginkgo biloba – a plant extract
that contains several compounds said to have positive effects on
the brain and the body. A study published in the Journal of the
American Medical Association, Pierre L. Le Bars, M.D., Ph.D., of
the New York Institute of Medical Research, and his colleagues
found some modest improvement in cognition, activities of daily
living, and social behavior among participants. |
|
Huperzine A – a moss extract used
in traditional Chinese medicine |
|
Phosphatidylserine – a lipid or
fat that is the primary component of cell membranes of neurons |
|
Coral calcium – a form of calcium
carbonate derived from the shells of living organisms that once
made up coral reefs |
