Alzheimer's treatment is done to control the symptoms and slow the worsening of brain degeneration caused by the disease and includes the use of medicines such as Donepezil, Rivastigmine or Memantine, for example, indicated by the geriatrician, neurologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to the use of medicines, it is important to make therapies that improve independence and reasoning, with occupational therapy, physical therapy, physical activities, and give preference to a Mediterranean diet, balanced and rich in vitamin C, E and omega 3, which antioxidant and protective action.
The choice of the best treatment and the drug options are indicated by the physician after evaluation and identification of the needs of each patient.
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain disease, which causes gradual loss of memory, in addition to other changes such as behavioral impairment, disorientation and communication difficulties, for example. To know how to identify this disease, see the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease.
Medications for Alzheimer's
There are remedies, in tablet or oral solution, that improve symptoms and delay the progression of Alzheimer's disease, especially delaying memory loss, and should be used early from the onset of the diagnosis, such as Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine, which are called anticholinesterases, because they act by increasing the levels of acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter for brain functions.
Rivastigmine also has the patch or patch option that is changed every 24 hours and is indicated for ease of use and to decrease some of the side effects of the tablets, which may be nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Memantine is also a drug widely used in treatment, to prevent the progression of the disease in more advanced cases and to calm down.
In addition, there are other remedies that can be used as a treatment aid for symptoms, which are useful for reducing anxiety, sleeping, or helping to control emotional instability, such as antipsychotics, anti-anxiety drugs, and antidepressants.
Table of the most used drugs
The main remedies to treat Alzheimer's, available in SUS or by private, are:
| What is it for | Example of medication | |
| Anticholinesterics | Delay disease progression and decrease symptoms | Donepezil, Rivastigmine, Galantamine |
| Memantina | Decrease disease symptoms | Memantina |
| Antipsychotic | To balance behaviors, avoiding excitement and agitation, and avoid delusions and hallucinations | Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone |
| Anxiolytic | To control anxiety and sleep | Chlorpromazine, Alprazolam, Zolpidem |
| Antidepressants | To stabilize mood and emotions | Sertraline, Nortriptyline, Mirtazapine, Trazodone |
The type, dose and quantity of medicines are doctor-oriented according to each case, according to the needs of each patient.
Despite the large amount of drugs that are usually used to treat this disease, there is still no cure, and it is common for it to worsen over time.
New therapies
Deep brain stimulation is a therapy that has been used and seems to have good results for the control of the disease and may even reverse the symptoms. As it is still a very expensive therapy and it is available in few hospitals, it is still not being performed very often and is reserved for some cases that do not respond to treatment with medicines. Learn more about indications and how deep brain stimulation surgery is done.
Other therapies, such as ozonotherapy, insulin-based or anti-inflammatory drugs, such as mefenamic acid, although demonstrated in some studies, are not proven therapies and are not usually indicated by physicians.
Physiotherapy for Alzheimer
Physiotherapeutic treatment is important in reducing the physical limitations that Alzheimer's can bring, such as difficulty walking and balancing, and should be done at least 3 times a week.
Physiotherapy should be done with exercises that are easy to understand and execute, because the patient's mental capacity is reduced and physical therapy is useful for:
- Help strengthen muscles, improving coordination, balance and flexibility;
- Avoid pain in muscles and joints;
- Prevent falls and fractures;
- Prevent the patient from being bedridden;
- Prevent the onset of bedsores in bedridden individuals;
- Avoid pain in muscles and joints;
- Increase the peristaltic movements of the intestine facilitating the elimination of feces.
The caregiver should also be instructed to help the person perform the physiotherapy exercises daily at home to maximize the results. Learn more about how Alzheimer's physiotherapy is done.
In addition, the person with Alzheimer's can also do psychotherapy and occupational therapy sessions, which are especially indicated in the early stage of the disease to stimulate memory and assist in carrying out day-to-day activities.
Natural Treatment Options
Stimulation of memory through games and small activities, such as cooking or reading, should be done daily with the help of a therapist or family member, so that the patient does not quickly lose his vocabulary or forget about the usefulness of the objects, for example .
In addition, social stimulation, through contact with friends and family is fundamental to maintain social contact and delay the oblivion of people close. Learn more about essential care for the Alzheimer's patient.
Food is also important to supplement the treatment and the Mediterranean diet is recommended, because it is healthy and based on the consumption of fresh and natural foods like olive oil, fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk and cheese, and avoided industrialized products like sausage, frozen food and cakes in powder form, being ideal for those with Alzheimer's because it nourishes the body and brain properly.
How to Prevent Alzheimer's
To prevent this disease, it is important to have healthy living habits, consuming vegetables and antioxidant foods, and avoid behaviors that impair the circulation and function of the brain, such as smoking and excessive drinking.
In addition, it is important to always seek to stimulate brain thinking and cognition by reading and performing activities that stimulate thinking. Here are the top tips for Alzheimer's prevention.
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