Are your symptoms really a problem?

This question may sound obvious – after all, you wouldn’t be at the doctor if you weren’t concerned. However, memory loss can be the result of any number of benign issues, and after discussing it with your doctor you may discover that the symptoms you are experiencing are minor when compared to symptoms of medically specified memory disorders.

Could Alzheimer’s be behind your symptoms?

Alzheimer’s is naturally a person’s first concern when they begin to experience noticeable memory problems. Alzheimer’s is not the only thing that could be causing your problems, and though diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is complex, your doctor, in some cases, may be able to rule it out entirely on your first visit.

What non-Alzheimer’s conditions could be causing your problem?

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s is a matter of ruling out other conditions. Understanding what other conditions your doctor is considering keeps you informed and allows you to be a pro-active patient. Being aware of some of the possible conditions may help alert you to lifestyle changes you can make that may affect your symptoms.

To learn how to obtain patience, you first must understand exactly what patience is. If you are patient, then you don’t need immediate gratification, and you are capable of just sitting back, and waiting for something to happen without experiencing either anxiety of frustration. If you are patient you have the ability to tolerate others, and be more understanding. With patience you’ll be able to hang onto a relationship, even when the going gets tough. Instead of riding on the emotional rollercoaster, you’ll be able to level off the ups and the downs, and wait for what’s coming to you. You’ll be able to relax in spite of the challenges that you face on a daily basis.

How do all of these qualities relate to those with dementia? Well, as we know, dementia patients often need to have something repeated several times, and they may struggle with relatively simple activities. This is no fault of theirs of course, but rather of the disease. If you’re capable of relaxing, and waiting for them to process the information, it will provide a stronger basis for your relationship with them. To start with, you won’t feel rushed for them to accomplish their goal, and neither will they. If you rush the patient, they’ll simply become frustrated, and their self-esteem will drop. You will become frustrated, and even angry, and the relationship between you and the patient will be heavily strained.

Knowing all of these bad things, how does one go about developing patience? Is there some simple method? In short, the answer is no. Developing patience takes time, but there is a method to do it. First, remember to take every day one at a time. When you’re with a dementia patient, take each activity one at a time. Make sure that two activities don’t rely on each other. That way, if the first activity doesn’t work out, you’ll still have the second one to go to. Next, make sure that you’re accepting the reality of the situation you’re in. When you’re with a dementia patient, you have to learn to accept the limitations that the disease has placed on them. Don’t give them more than they can handle. Now is not the time to see how far you can push someone, as you’ll both just end up frustrated.

Consider five common myths about Alzheimer’s disease as well as the reality.

Myth One. My parent or grandparent has Alzheimer’s disease. That means I’ll probably get it too.

Reality: Although genetics can be involved in the disease, did you know only five to ten percent of total cases are actually the direct result of genes? The majority of cases have no definite or identifiable cause. Nothing can explain why Alzheimer’s disease develops or who is sure to inherit it. Even a healthy lifestyle and good diet, while generally a good defense against ill health, is not a sure protection. Alzheimer’s disease can affect anyone. Understanding this fact can help others to be sensitive to patients’ needs as well as better informed on the reality of this disease.

Myth Two. I’ve heard there is a cure for Alzheimer’s disease.

Reality: While that would be wonderful news, unfortunately there is no cure at this time. There are medications and forms of therapy that can manage the symptoms in some individuals. As far as a definite cure goes, researchers continue to look into this disease and remain optimistic.

The first type of drug used to treat Alzheimer’s disease is a class of medications called “cholinesterase inhibitors.” Drugs in this class are the most commonly prescribed to patients. The first cholinesterase inhibitor was approved by the FDA in 1996 and is called donepezil, or its brand name Aricept. In 2000, rivastigmine, brand name Exelon was approved. Galatamine was approved for treatment in 2001. Its original brand name was Reminyl, but in 2005, it was renamed Razadyne.

Cholinesterase inhibitors work by blocking the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a chemical messenger that helps the brain in maintaining memory and process information. Only about half of the patients taking cholinesterase see any improvement in brain function, and these patients only see moderate improvement. This is because although the medications help keep acetylcholine levels high, they cannot prevent cell damage from spreading. Eventually, the damaged cells will not be able to make use of the acetylcholine. In early stage Alzheimer’s disease, however, these medications sometimes can delay the deterioration process.

A unique drug called Mematine, or its brand name Namenda, was approved in October, 2003 for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. Mematine is in a class of drugs called “uncompetitive low to moderate affinity N-methyl-D-aspertate (NMDA) receptor antagonist.” Mematine is the only drug of its kind currently on the market in the US. Unlike the cholinesterase inhibitors, Mematine works by suppressing the activity of the chemical messenger glutamate in the brain. A certain amount of glutamate is needed to help the brain store and retrieve memories, as well as process information. This is achieved when the glutamate signals a cell to allow calcium into the cell, which in turn stimulates memory. However, too much glutamate in the brain signals the cells to allow too much calcium to penetrate. Too much calcium in the cells causes the cell to die, increasing the damage to the brain. Studies into the effectiveness of Mematime have shown mixed results. The most significant improvement, or slowing of deteriorating, has been shown in patients taking both Mematine and one of the cholinesterase inhibitors.

In many cases, dementia can be reversed when an underlying syndrome that is treatable causes it. Dementia caused by hormonal imbalances of the thyroid, parathyroid, or other endocrine system diseases can be cured when the hormonal imbalance is corrected through medication. The same goes for dementia caused by vitamin imbalances or deficiencies – B vitamins are especially important for brain functioning, and pernicious anemia – a lack of vitamin B12 absorption – can cause dementia. Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is another correctable root cause of dementia.

Treating the depression can treat dementia that is present with an accompanying mental illness, like severe depression. Depression can, of course, be difficult to treat, and so the dementia by association also can be difficult to address in this instance.

Some treatable dementia is actually even preventable. Dementia brought on by drug and/or alcohol abuse can clearly be prevented through personal choice. Head injuries that lead to dementia can be made less likely by wearing a helmet when cycling and wearing seat belts while in a car.

Not all kinds of dementia are reversible, however. Alzheimer’s disease is not curable and damage to the brain cannot be reversed. With early diagnosis, some patients with Alzheimer’s disease may be able to slow the progression of their symptoms with the help of certain medications, or a combination of medications. Conflicting evidence exits suggesting dietary supplements, like Ginkgo Biloba or vitamin E, put off the march of the disease, however, doctors are skeptical.

To help keep depression at bay, you must first recognize the different signs of it. If you have four or more of the following symptoms, you should go to a doctor. The first trait common among those that are entering depression is irritability. For example, little things that didn’t use to bug you are starting to. Next, the caregiver may start to feel worthless; being that besides helping people, there is very little reward in caring for someone. The caregiver may also start to feel really guilty, believing that they’re not doing enough for the patient. The caregiver’s thoughts may become decidedly darker, delving into things such as suicide. Simple motor skills will become more difficult, and sleep will not come. Insomnia is present in a few of those who are depressed. A general lethargy may come over the caregiver. Activities that previously were very pleasurable for the caregiver, such as sports, will lose all their attractiveness. The caregiver may have difficulty either thinking or concentrating. Lastly, as far as exterior changes go, the caregiver’s appetite may change dramatically, causing their weight to change.

If the caregiver has depression, they should immediately go to the doctor to figure out just what is causing the depression – it may not even be related to the Alzheimer’s victim. But then again, the depression could very well be linked. You have to know what you’re dealing with before you can fight it. Once you know what’s causing it, there are a variety of ways to treat it, which your doctor will know more about.

However, there are some things that you can do before depression strikes. These things you can do to keep yourself happy, and keep depression at bay.

It is important to remember, however, that some behavioral problems in patients are manageable without having to seek medication or institutionalization. This can be done by identifying behavioral triggers in patients with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia and then resolving problems through words and actions.

In some cases, identifying the source of irritation can be easy. Patients are sensitive to environmental changes, whether strong physical changes or even subtle ones. For example, a new primary caregiver or unfamiliar visitors stopping by would be large physical changes to the environment. Subtle changes might be erratic scheduling or even distracting patterns on plates and tablecloths. After identifying this specific trigger, a way to deal with the problem would be to eliminate loud distractions and maintain daily routines as much as possible. Maybe cutting down on the number of unfamiliar visitors, or providing more rest periods in between heavy activities would help reduce the stress.

Use conflict resolution when the patient is agitated or aggressive. Instead of battling the patient, let them know you are on their side. Statements of understanding and reassurance when delivered calmly can help settle the conflict. If a caregiver matches the temperament of the angry patient the situation will probably escalate. A patient with severe dementia or Alzheimer’s disease likely cannot reflect on his aggressive behavior and so is not able to control himself. Thus, chastising the patient for bad behavior will not help the situation. Be careful not to initiate physical contact during conflicts. This is known to be a negative behavioral trigger. Touching should be associated with relaxing or enjoyable activities only.

There are two different types of adult daycares. The first type is a social daycare. The second type is a medical daycare. There are a few things in common with both types. To start with, both places provide somewhere for an Alzheimer’s victim to go during the day, which allows them to socialize – something that is very important to Alzheimer’s victims. It also allows the Alzheimer’s victim to stay productive, and makes sure that they still enjoy life. Most daycares offer one or two meals a day, depending on the timing. Some of the higher priced centers have transportation from door to door, but you’ll have to ask to find out if this is included in the cost or not.

There is one glaring difference between the two types of daycares though. That difference would be that social daycare is specifically designed for adults to go to during the day, socialize, and be active with the people around them. In contrast, the medical daycare usually provides the same purpose, however, the people in the daycare may be nurses, doctors, and other medical professionals. In general, although the medical daycares are preferred over the social daycares, they also cost more due to the amount of medical professionals on the premises.

When choosing a daycare, be sure to note that not every daycare has the ability to care for people with Alzheimer’s. Some daycares are completely unequipped to deal with it, while others will only deal with certain stages of it. Even rarer are those that specialize in Alzheimer’s, and therefore are willing to care for the patient throughout the entire stage of the disease. Since everyone afflicted with Alzheimer’s has different symptoms and different stages, you must look really hard to make sure that the daycare is capable of dealing with an Alzheimer’s victim.

There are a lot of people who experience lapses in their memory; some of them being serious, while others are not. Those who suffer from serious changes in their personality, memory, and/or behavior may be suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or any other number of forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s is just one of many forms of this disease. Simply because a person is forgetting things, however, is not reason enough to suspect Alzheimer’s disease. There are far more reasons, rather than just Alzheimer’s.

Dementia describes a condition where a number of symptoms are caused through changes in the brain’s ability to function. Those who are suffering from dementia may do things like forgetting familiar faces or becoming lost in familiar surroundings, being unable to follow directions for even the most simple of tasks, or experience severe disorientation in regards to people, places, and time. Those who have dementia may also neglect their own personal safety, their nutrition, and their own personal hygiene.

Many different things can cause dementia. Some conditions that cause dementia can be reversed, while others cannot. Furthermore, many different medical conditions may cause symptoms that seem like Alzheimer’s disease but are not. Some of these medical conditions may be treatable. Reversible conditions can be caused by a high fever, poor nutrition, dehydration, vitamin deficiency, some varieties of alcoholism, allergic reactions to medicines, problems with the thyroid gland, or head trauma.

1. Memory Loss – Problems with the short-term memory and forgetting recently learned information is one of the more common, early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, with normal aging, it’s also quite common to forget names or miss appointments on occasion. People with Alzheimer’s disease begin to forget more and more often and are unable to recall the information at a later date. Another good way to determine if this is Alzheimer’s related or merely a sign of aging is that it’s common for people to forget parts of events, whereas the Alzheimer’s patient will commonly forget the event in its entirety.

2. Difficulty Following Routines – Those suffering from dementia frequently finds it difficult to perform tasks that should be familiar to them. What might have once been common routine now seems strangely alien. While it’s normal to forget why you’ve entered a room, or what it was that you intended to tell someone, people with dementia often lose track of steps in things that come as second nature, like dressing, preparing a meal, or the act of changing the channels on the television.

3. Problems With Language Or Numbers – People who have dementia often find difficulty verbalizing their thoughts, forgetting words, or they substitute other words for what they mean. This often makes their speech and/or writing difficult to understand. Similarly, numbers also give them trouble, making it hard to figure out what the numbers are used for or finding they are unable to add up even the simplest of sums. A person who is suffering from Alzheimer’s may very well demand “the black thing” when referring to a comb, or “food” when they really want a drink.