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Alzheimer's Disease
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Alzheimer's Disease In this Article:
What is Alzheimer's Disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative disorder of the brain. In time it severely impairs memory and mental functioning, with devastating consequences for both patients and caregivers. The symptoms of Alzheimer's appear very slowly at first. Patients, who are usually over age 65 (and more likely to be in their seventies or eighties), experience what can be mistaken for the usual forgetfulness associated with old age. Difficulty making decisions is another early symptom.
As the disease progresses, however, memory loss accelerates and patients may forget how to perform very simple tasks, such as dressing and bathing. Increasingly disoriented, they tend to get lost in familiar places and fail to recognize friends and family. People with Alzheimer's often undergo personality changes, becoming hostile, anxious or withdrawn, and may display inappropriate social behavior.
In its advanced stages, the disease produces severe language impairment, loss of bowel and bladder control, and mental deterioration so great that patients become completely dependent on caregivers 24 hours a day. Alzheimer's patients die, on average, within 10 years of the onset of symptoms, usually from complications such as pneumonia or malnutrition.
It is estimated that Alzheimer's affects about 6% of people over age 65, and 20% of those over age 85. The disease is neither curable nor preventable, and there are no diagnostic tests that specifically identify it. (A diagnosis is made on the basis of patient history and clinical examination. Brain scans and lab tests can help rule out other possible causes of memory loss and dementia.)
The prescription drugs tacrine and donepezil ease symptoms to a degree in some patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's. Certain supplements, particularly ginkgo biloba, huperzine A and other antioxidants, may also help improve mental functioning in the early stages of the disease.
Because Alzheimer's disease, especially in its later stages, takes such a heavy toll on caregivers, anyone responsible for the care of an Alzheimer's patient should seek ways to ease the inevitable burden. Counseling, support groups, day-care services, visiting nurses and nursing homes are among the available options.
Key Symptoms
What Causes Alzheimer's Disease?
The cause of Alzheimer's remains unknown. What is known is that the brain of Alzheimer's patients suffers a severe loss of nerve cells, especially in those areas that control memory and thought processes. A deficiency in certain memory-enhancing brain chemicals is also associated with the disease.
Other factors that may play a role in memory loss and possibly in the development of Alzheimer's include decreased blood flow in the brain, a series of small strokes, cardiovascular disease, serious head injury and slow-acting viruses. A family history of Alzheimer's may increase an individual's risk of developing the disease.
Treatment and Prevention
Although strides continue to be made in the treatment of Alzheimer's symptoms, the disease cannot be cured or prevented and, after a certain point, its symptoms are irreversible. However, in the early stages of the disease, nutritional supplements may help reverse some mental impairment and perhaps even postpone the development of more severe symptoms.
Start taking supplements, singly or in combination, as soon as Alzheimer's is even suspected. It's safe to take the recommended supplements with the prescription Alzheimer's drugs tacrine and donepezil, but consult your doctor before you do so. If you have a serious medical condition or are taking medication, it always a good idea to check with your doctor before beginning a supplement program.
How Supplements Can Help
The herb ginkgo biloba is a key supplement in the treatment of early Alzheimer's symptoms. By increasing the blood supply to the brain, ginkgo biloba may help improve memory in some patients. The herb also seems to have antioxidant properties, which help keep nerve cells healthy.
A compound derived from Chinese club moss, huperzine A, has been shown in clinical studies to improve mental functioning and seems to complement the effect of the conventional medicine tacrine.
Vinpocetine, a substance derived from the periwinkle plant, has been shown in many studies to improve memory and mental functioning.
Other antioxidants that promote nerve-cell health include vitamins C and E, carotenoids and coenzyme Q10. You can often find a commercial preparation where all of these supplements are conveniently combined. Low levels of vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, have been consistently linked to Alzheimer's disease.
Also take a vitamin B complex and extra vitamin B6. Although not the cause of Alzheimer's disease, low levels of B vitamins have occasionally been found in patients who have Alzheimer's. Vitamin B12 and folate lower blood levels of homocysteine, elevated levels of which have been noted in Alzheimer's patients.
Try borage or evening primrose oil and the herbs gotu kola and Siberian ginseng; these all may help improve memory in early Alzheimer's patients by fostering better transmission of nerve impulses. In addition, gotu kola may reduce fatigue and depression, as well as stimulate the central nervous system.
The amino acid-like substances phosphatidylserine and acetyl-L- carnitine may achieve the same result by increasing levels of memory-enhancing brain chemicals.
If the Alzheimer's patient is prone to episodes of agitation, you might consider kava, a natural and nonsedating tranquilizer, before trying potentially sedating drugs that might impair mental functioning even further. (The FDA has recently issued warnings on kava due to its adverse effects on the liver. Before using this herb, please read the entry on kava in the Nutricraze Reference Library.)
Self-Care Remedies
Exercise regularly, although you'll obviously have to supervise if the person becomes disoriented with the surroundings. Even if it's only taking a short daily walk, exercise helps improve both mental and physical functioning.
Keep the mind stimulated by reading, doing memory exercises and playing games.
Try to stay as calm and relaxed as possible. This will help you concentrate and may even improve memory.
Seek outside help and advice. Alzheimer's disease support groups and the Alzheimer Disease Foundation are good sources for information about caring for a person with this ailment.
Since some prescription drugs can cause mental confusion, especially in older people, speak with your doctor about this issue, and ask to have all medications periodically reviewed. Medications used to treat anxiety, depression, diabetes, ulcers or Parkinson's disease are common culprits.
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