Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is done to control symptoms and delay aggravation of brain degeneration caused by the disease and includes the use of medications, such as Donepezila, Rivastigmine or Memantine, for example, indicated by the geriatrician, neurologist or psychiatrist.
In addition to drug use, it is important to perform therapies that improve independence and reasoning, with occupational therapy, physiotherapy, physical activities, in addition to promoting a Mediterranean diet, balanced and rich in vitamins C, E and omega 3, which have antioxidant and protective action of the brain.
- The choice of the best treatment and medication options is indicated by the doctor after evaluating and identifying the needs of each patient.
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease that causes gradual memory loss, as well as other changes such as behavioral disorders, disorientation and communication difficulties, for example. To identify this disease, look for signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
There are medications, in the form of a pill or drinkable solution, that improve symptoms and slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, especially by delaying memory loss, and should be used in the early stages of diagnosis, such as dopezil, Galantamine and rivastigmine, which are called anticholines, because they work by increasing levels of Acetylcholine, an important neurotransmitter for brain functions.
Rivastigmine also has the option of adhesive, or patch, which is changed every 24 hours, and are indicated to facilitate use and reduce certain side effects of the pills, which can be nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Memantine is also a drug widely used in treatment, to prevent disease progression in more advanced cases and to calm down.
In addition, there are other remedies that can be used to treat symptoms, useful for reducing anxiety, sleep or helping to control emotional instability, such as antipsychotics, anxiolytics and antidepressants.
The main remedies for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, available in the SUS or in particular, are:
The type, dose and quantity of medicines are guided by the doctor according to each case, depending on the needs of each patient.
Despite the large number of medications commonly used to treat this disease, there is still no cure and it is common for it to get worse over time.
Deep brain stimulation is a therapy that has been used and appears to have good results for disease control and can even reverse symptoms, as it remains a very expensive and available therapy in some hospitals, it is not yet practiced very often, being reserved for certain cases that do not respond to drug treatment. Learn more about directions and how deep brain stimulation surgery is performed.
Other therapies, such as ozone, insulin, or anti-inflammatory therapy, such as mefenamic acid, although demonstrated in some studies, are not proven therapies and are generally not indicated by doctors.
Physical treatment is important to reduce the physical limitations that Alzheimer’s disease can cause, such as difficulty walking and maintaining balance, and should be done at least 3 times a week.
Physical therapy should be done with exercises that are easy to understand and perform, as the patient’s mental capacity is reduced and physical therapy is useful for:
The caregiver should also be responsible for helping the person perform daily physical therapy exercises at home to improve outcomes. Learn more about how physiotherapy is performed for Alzheimer’s disease.
In addition, the person with Alzheimer’s may also perform psychotherapy and occupational therapy sessions, which are especially indicated in the initial phase of the disease to stimulate memory and aid in daily activities.
Memory stimulation, 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 vocabulary or forget the usefulness of objects, for example. .
In addition, social stimulation through contact with friends and family is essential to maintain social interaction and delay the forgetfulness of your loved ones. Learn more about essential care for Alzheimer’s patients.
Eating is also important to complement the treatment and the Mediterranean diet is recommended, as it is healthy and based on the consumption of fresh and natural foods such as olive oil, fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk and cheese, and avoid industrialized products such as sausages, frozen foods and cakes powder, making it ideal for people with Alzheimer’s disease. , because it adequately nourishes the body and brain.
To prevent this disease, it is important to have healthy lifestyle habits, consume vegetables and antioxidant foods, and avoid behaviors that damage circulation and brain function, such as smoking and over-drinking.
In addition, it is important to always try to stimulate reasoning and brain cognition, through readings and activities that stimulate reflection. Find out what are the top tips for preventing Alzheimer’s disease.
Learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, how to prevent it, and how to care for the person with Alzheimer’s: