In the first blog, you gained information about Alzheimer’s signs, risk factors, stages and its diagnosis. In this blog, you will gain information about treatments, care assessment, prevention, awareness, diet and facts. Read On…
Alzheimer’s Disease: Treatment & Care
Presently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but medication is available on a doctor’s prescription, which helps in the prevention of the development of the condition in the patient. The treatment of this disease involves a proper care plan, assistance, awareness and diet.
Medication
The doctor prescribes medications depending on the severity of the disease, views of the caretakers, and regular assessments that take place proper intervals to watch-over the effect of the medicines.
Care assessment
When one is diagnosed with Alzheimer, there is a proper assessment of the patient’s health and social care needs. A proper care plan can chalked-out by a psychiatrist or a general practitioner. They bring into consideration a number of factors such as whether the patient is in a state to drive, to do his daily activities, his support system and his financial dependence.
Prevention
It is very important to know that your choice of lifestyle can easily protect your brain. Although various researchers are going on to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, but there is also focusing on the prevention strategies as well. The prevention of Alzheimer’s is a combination of a number of healthy habits. Irrespective of one’s age, one should always take steps to keep the brain healthy.
A brain-healthy lifestyle depends on certain conditions. Although some factors are genetic and thus are out of our control but we can easily take care of certain lifestyle factors. Following are the main pillars of a healthy lifestyle:
- You must exercise regularly
- You must eat have a healthy diet
- Mental motivation is extremely important
- Quality sleep is necessary
- Management of stress should be done in a proper manner
- The patient must have an active social life
Alzheimers Support
Those healthcare professionals who are treating patients with Alzheimer’s try to keep them as independent as possible. But support is important in many ways:
- Put bars and handrails in showers or bathtubs
- Take assistance of a professional therapist to deal with problems in day-to-day life
- Arrangements for cognitive stimulation programs including mental exercises, language ability and problem-solving skills and language ability
- Support of family members and close friends is always important.
Healthy diet
Nutrition is not only important for the body but a healthy diet is also necessary for the brain. A patient with Alzheimer’s must add plenty of vegetables and fresh fruits, healthy fats, protein, fish, a food rich in Vitamin E (found in cereals, green leafy vegetables, nuts) and dairy products. Avoid processed food completely. A regular supply of energy is extremely important for the body. Following are the health tips:
- A Mediterranean diet– Consume a diet that is rich in fish, whole grains, nuts, olive oil, and fresh products. You can have an occasional glass of red wine and a small piece of dark chocolate.
- Shun trans – fats and saturated- fats- Consumption of full-fat dairy products, red meat, fried foods, fast food, and packaged food should be avoided.
- Consume diet healthy for your heart –You must eat food which keeps your heart healthy to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and to keep your brain healthy.
- Take plenty of omega-3 fats- Studies show omega-3 fatty acids can largely help in the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Add items like cold-water fish like salmon, tuna, trout in your diet. Use fish oil to cook your food.
- Eat 4-6 small meals in a day – instead of 3 big meals; one should consume 4-6 small meals all throughout the day as it helps in maintenance of steady blood sugar levels. One should stay away from refined carbohydrates high in sugar and white flour as it leads to inflammation in the brain.
- Fruits and leafy vegetables – A patient should fresh fruits and vegetables as much as possible for vitamins and increasing protective antioxidants. Make sure you eat berries and green leafy vegetables regularly.
- Enjoy green tea – make it a point to enjoy a cup of green tea to improve your memory and mental presence and bring a reduction in the aging process of the brain. You can also consume White and Oolong teas. You can have around 2-4 cups daily.
Awareness
It is very important that a proper amount of understanding and good amount of awareness about the Alzheimer’s disease should be there:
- Less awareness results in high medical costs. It is very important that there should be better understanding of the signs so that there can be bigger benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease.
- When there is awareness, there is a timely medical intervention. If one notices signs in himself or any of his loved one, he can seek quick medical attention.
- People suffering from Alzheimer’s or his family members many times suffer from a feeling of embarrassment. If there will be aware, this kind of a stigma will go away and as a result the aid of a professional can be sought right on time.
- If people are aware about Alzheimer’s, the risk factors can be managed in an easy manner that will be reducing the cases of Alzheimer’s disease.
- When there will be better awareness, people will readily volunteer for scientific research, resulting in progress.
Quick Facts
- A risk in person for Alzheimer’s disease is inherited.
- The onset of Alzheimer’s can develop in people as young as in their 30’s.
- The number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s doubles in every 5 years above 65 years of age.
- One who suffers from Down Syndrome, experience premature aging and they are at a higher risk of Alzheimer’s.
- Obesity is an epidemic that may result in Alzheimer’s in the future. Similarly people with diabetes are also at a higher risk.
- Alzheimer’s is a very common reason of dementia in older people.
- Alzheimer’s is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer who treated its first case in 1906. His patient was a woman.
- In comparison to men, more women suffer from Alzheimer’s
- Caregivers of patients with Alzheimer’s suffer from physical strain, stress, financial problems and depression themselves.
- Depression is a warning sign of Alzheimer’s.
- Alzheimer’s disease is fatal