Suggestion : Increase Social Interaction
Research shows that maintaining regular social contact with friends and family with a focus on what the patient likes to do improves the lives of those with dementia.
There are many ways to improve the quality of life of dementia patients, such as joining a new group, dance lessons, or simply reminiscing on cherished life events with friends and loved ones. You can also look into support groups .
Suggestion : Good Sleep Patterns
Sleep disturbances are a common side effect of dementia and usually make symptoms worse.
The best way to help these patients is to establish good sleep hygiene. Set a peaceful and relaxing mood in the evening. You can help your loved one by reading aloud or playing soothing music. Make sure their bedroom is at a comfortable temperature. Do your best to set a consistent sleep schedule, being mindful of how much sleep they need . Restrict naps to 20 minutes or less as these can greatly disrupt the sleep cycle its better to avoid them altogether if possible.
It also helps to avoid caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee, especially in the afternoon and evening, and to limit daytime naps.
If sleepless nights are a common occurrence, check their medication. Cholinesterase inhibitors, for example, which are prescribed for dementia patients, can cause insomnia. In this case, administering the medication earlier in the day rather than in the evening often helps, but its important to check with your doctor before making any changes.
Another option to consider is melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone involved in regulating sleep-wake cycles. As we get older, our bodies naturally produce less melatonin, and this is particularly exacerbated in dementia patients. Taking melatonin doesnt slow down disease progression or improve cognitive function, but it can help some patients get a better nights sleep.
Suggestion : Dietary Supplements
There are a growing number of herbal remedies and dietary supplements promoted as memory enhancers or treatments to delay progression of dementia.
However, if youre caring for a loved one with dementia, its not always easy to decide which ones to choose. Claims about the beneficial effects of these products are often based on a small number of studies, and many offer contradictory advice. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration does not require the same rigorous process for supplements that is needed for the approval of a new prescription drug. As a result, it can be virtually impossible to determine if and how effective these dietary supplements really are at prevention of dementia or reducing symptoms.
According to the NIH, you can turn to these three independent organizations to make sure a product was properly manufactured, contains the ingredients listed on the label, and does not contain harmful levels of contaminants:
None of these organizations can guarantee that the supplement youre taking is safe and effective.
All that said, there are a handful of supplements with more evidence than the others weve listed them along with study results in the following sections. That said, we always recommend that patients consult with their neurology or primary care doctor first before starting on any supplements. Its also important to check that these supplements do not interact with prescribed medications.
Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids
Vitamin D3
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Sign And Symptoms Of Alzheimer Diseases
The most common indication of the occurrence of Alzheimers disease in the initial stage is short-term memory loss. Difficulty in remembering recent events. Slowly, with the advancement of the disease, the sufferers start having difficulties with language. Along with mood swings, disorientation, problems in performing familiar tasks, depression, loss of motivation, behavioral problems, vision problems, and inability to manage self-care.
A further deterioration in the condition generally leads to loss of interest in day-to-day activities and withdrawal from the family and the society. Eventually, the sufferers lose control over their bodily functions, and the condition finally leads to death.
In nearly one-third of the cases, the risk of the disease is believed to be genetic. Besides genetics, some of the other risk factors for the disease include hypertension, depression, or head injuries in the past. The progression of the disease is linked to plaques and tangles in the brain.
Essential Oils For Alzheimers
Frankincense oil and rosemary oil are both excellent essential oils to aid in brain function and neurological development.
The key with essential oils is to dilute them before use, especially if you intend to use them internally or on your skin . Essential oil is extremely strong and can provoke an allergic reaction or rash on your skin if you apply the undiluted oil directly.
Each essential oil manufacturer will have specific instructions for their products, but generally speaking youll want to create a mixture that contains no more than 12% essential oil. The rest should be your base oil.
Before ingesting, also be sure to ask the manufacturer if their oil is rated for internal use.
When it comes to frankincense oil, place two drops of this diluted mixture onto the roof of your mouth twice daily. With rosemary oil, rub the diluted mixture on your scalp after showering and leave it there until the next time you shower.
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New Breakthroughs In Alternative Treatments For Alzheimers Disease
While traditional treatments for Alzheimers wont cure the disease, early treatment and prevention can help delay the onset of symptoms. Physicians will generally prescribe medications that target the protein fragments, or beta-amyloids, that build up as plaques in brain cells and cause the damage that ultimately leads to Alzheimers.
Recently, some alternative treatments have been discovered regarding medications that are already used for other purposes, which include:
- Diabetes treatments: The drug Victoza, used for treatment of diabetes, is used to stimulate the production of insulin. Researchers have found that its possible this medication can also prevent the build-up of beta-amyloids in brain cells.
- Rheumatoid arthritis treatments: Biologics are drugs physicians will turn to to treat rheumatoid arthritis when NSAIDs, which are anti-inflammatory drugs, do not work. Researchers believe biologics can also reduce the inflammation caused by beta-amyloid build-up.
- Cholesterol medicines: Statins are used to help people suffering from high cholesterol, and studies have shown that although statins might cause memory loss, in higher doses they may actually help prevent dementia.
- High-blood pressure medicines: Research from John Hopkins University recently showed that people who took certain blood pressure medications decreased their risk for Alzheimers disease by 50%.
Natural Remedies For Dementia And Alzheimers Treatment Option #: Foodsto Avoid Foods To Eat
Certain foods definitely help with the prevention and treatmentof dementia, while other foods are guaranteed to make this condition much worse.
The foods and liquids you should be eating and drinkingmore of are the staples. These include
- Filtered water Helps to flush toxins from the body andhydrate the cells .
- Green tea or Matcha tea Both contain powerfulantioxidants known as catechins which remove harmful toxins and chemicals fromthe body. A component in these teas has also been shown to decrease brainbeta-amyloid plaque formation.
- Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon, Black pepper, Chillis , Rosemary, Coriander and Garlic All of these herbs and spices are potent anti-viral,anti-inflammatory and immune boosting foods .
- Reishi and Cordyceps mushrooms Both are immune boostingand contain strong neuro-protective properties.
- Probiotics Needed for healthy gut function, which inturn produces healthy brain function and healthy immunity. You can learn how tomake your own fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha and yoghurthere Cultures for Health.
- Whole foods Eating plenty of organic mixed berries,green leafy vegetables, liver , nuts and seeds such aschia and flaxseeds is vital. When it comes to buying these, fresh isdefinitely best.
For the foods you should be avoiding or not eating atall, heres the top ones
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Ways To Treat Dementia At Home Naturally
No one wants to receive a dementia diagnosis. Whether you, your parents, your partner, or someone else you love has dementia, there are steps you can take to lessen the blow. While dementia does not have a cure, there are many ways you can slow down disease progression and improve quality of life.
At-home approaches include lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, good nutrition, maintaining an active social life, doing activities that challenge the mind, and getting a good nights sleep, among others. In this post, we discuss 12 ways to treat dementia at home.
To further boost your loved ones chances of delaying symptoms, we recommend a combination of physical exercise and cognitive therapy. This approach which we offer at our clinic, Neural Effects is an evidence-based way to influence cognition and behavior positively in early-stage dementia.
Neural Effects uses the latest evidence-based techniques to stimulate the areas of your brain that need the most help. We are located in Provo, Utah, and serve anyone in Salt Lake City or the Utah valley area. We are in network for most types of medical insurance. Schedule your evaluation today.
Vitamin And Nutrient Supplements
Many of the risk factors for Alzheimers disease can be negated by the increase or introduction of vitamins, herbal medicine, and dietary supplements into your diet.
Researchers and the Alzheimers Association have even performed randomized controlled trials on the treatment of Alzheimers with some of these natural remedies:
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Food Packaged In Aluminum
Aluminum is neurotoxic at high levels . Research shows aluminum, like iron, enters neurons and accumulates. This leads to neurofibrillary damage, which is linked to Alzheimers progression. In particular, you should avoid heating food in aluminum, as the heat is known to release more toxic compounds.
In addition to an Alzheimers diet, you might consider some other Alzheimers treatment natural remedies, such as supplements and essential oils.
Alzheimers treatment natural remedies include the following supplements.
When it comes to targeted treatment, the sort you want if you have Alzheimers, its not a bad idea to get these nutrients directly from supplements. For some this can be a more convenient source of these nutrients than preparing foods with them might be.
As with any supplement, be sure to check with a doctor before you
Natural Alzheimers Treatment #: Social Interaction
Another great approach to improving cognition and overall wellness in those living with Alzheimers disease and related dementias is through psychosocial interventions. Whether your loved one is aging in place with your help, or living in an assisted living facility, research shows that ensuring constant social contact with a focus on what brings people joy improves the lives of those with dementia. There are many ways to improve the quality of life and possibly dementia symptoms through social activities.
Those living with relatives have many opportunities for improving their lives through social interactions. Research into group activities involving reminiscing showed immediate improvements in mood within the participants, and caregivers reminiscing in casual settings with elders provides a wealth of mental benefits as well, such as increased happiness for both the carer and person with dementia.
Day programs, or aduly daycares, are places that care for a group of elders, often with varying degrees of dementia, for a fee. These programs generally run for the length of a full day, or half of a day, and provide all means and supplies that would be needed to care for the elders as well as entertain them. Research into these programs shows benefits for caregivers and those with dementia alike, as well as for those living in nursing homes.
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What Causes Alzheimers Disease
An abnormal build-up of proteins in your brain causes Alzheimers disease. The build-up of these proteins amyloid protein and tau protein causes brain cells to die.
The human brain contains over 100 billion nerve cells and other cells. The nerve cells work together to fulfill all the communications needed to perform functions such as thinking, learning, remembering and planning.
Scientists believe that amyloid protein builds up in your brain cells, forming larger masses called plaques. Twisted fibers of another protein called tau form into tangles. These plaques and tangles block the communication between nerve cells, which prevents them from carrying out their processes.
The slow and ongoing death of the nerve cells results in the symptoms of Alzheimers disease. Nerve cell death starts in one area of your brain and then spreads to other areas.
Despite ongoing research, scientists still dont know what exactly causes these proteins to build up. So far, they believe that a genetic mutation may cause early-onset Alzheimers. They think that late-onset Alzheimers happens due to a complex series of brain changes that may occur over decades. A combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors likely contribute to the cause.
Is Alzheimers hereditary?
Researchers dont know why some people get Alzheimers disease and others dont. But theyve identified several factors that increase your risk for Alzheimers, including genetic factors.
Nutrition And Dietary Supplements
People with Alzheimer disease may need help with their diet. They often forget to eat and drink and can get dehydrated.
Follow these tips for a healthy diet:
- Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits and vegetables .
- Eat foods high in B-vitamins and calcium, such as almonds, beans, whole grains, dark leafy greens , and sea vegetables such as kelp and dulse.
- Eat more high-fiber foods, including beans, oats, and root vegetables .
- Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pastas, and especially sugar.
- Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats and cold-water fish.
- Use healthy oils in foods, such as olive oil
- Reduce or eliminate trans-fats, found in commercially-baked goods, such as cookies, crackers, cakes, French fries, onion rings, donuts, processed foods, and margarine.
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of filtered water daily.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes daily, 5 days a week.
Always tell you doctor about any herb or dietary supplement you are taking, because some could interact with other medicines. These supplements may help with some symptoms of Alzheimer disease, although more research is needed:
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Amyloid Hypothesis And Alzheimer Drugs Targeting
The amyloid hypothesis was developed in 1991. It states that the extracellular -amyloid deposits are the main cause of AD . -amyloid, a short fragment of the amyloid precursor protein , is a product of a processing error of the APP in the brain. The accumulated clusters of -amyloid proteins are called amyloid plaques. The amyloid plaques in the brain provoke the destruction of neuronal cells and leads to AD. APP is a long protein consisting of up to 771 amino acids. APP is cut by two different enzymes leading to the generation of -amyloid . The first -secretase cuts the APP and then the second gamma-secretase enzyme cuts one more time to generate -amyloid, which may have a length of 38, 40, or 42 amino acids. The length of 42 amino acids causes -amyloid to be chemically stickier than the other lengths, thus leading to clumps and the formation of plaques.
Early Diagnosis Is Key To Effective Treatment
Getting diagnosed with dementia can be scary, but there are many benefits to having an early diagnosis. Many patients react with sadness and dismay, but it can also be a relief knowing whats causing your symptoms.
Early diagnosis also enables a dementia patient to receive help to understand which stage of dementia theyre in and prepare for the future. This includes organizing personal finances, possibly changing living arrangements, and finding out what services are available to maintain quality of life as the disease progresses.
Diagnosis also rules out other conditions which can cause dementia-like symptoms. Symptoms of dementia can be caused by different conditions, such as infections, depression, nutritional deficiencies, and side effects from medication. The sooner your doctor can identify the cause of the symptoms, the sooner you can start with the right treatment.
There is some evidence to show that currently available treatments including the therapy we offer at Neural Effects are more effective if started during the early stages of the disease. This way, patients can maintain their quality of life and slow down cognitive decline for longer.
Contact us to schedule an appointment and determine if our treatment program is right for you. We offer both dementia evaluation and therapy. We are located in Provo, Utah, and serve anyone in Salt Lake City or the Utah Valley area. We are in network with most types of medical insurance.
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Top Alzheimers Foods To Eat & Avoid
Foods to Eat
Organic, unprocessed foods Make sure you diet includes plenty of real foods. These are foods that dont have an ingredient listing. Vegetables, clean meats and fruit in moderation are all important foods to consume.
Antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E There may be some connection between free radicals and Alzheimers. Antioxidant foods help combat the damage caused by free radicals. Colorful fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants and should be consumed at every meal.
Wild-caught fish A great source for omega-3 fats, DHA specifically, which are critical for brain health.
Foods high in zinc Many people with Alzheimers are deficient in zinc. Foods high in zinc include pumpkin seeds, grass-fed beef and dark chocolate.
Coconut oil Coconut oil uses include providing the brain with ketones, which serves as brain fuel instead of glucose. Some people have seen significant improvement to memory after adding coconut to their diet.
Foods to Avoid
Any food containing toxins or additives These foods can possibly be neurotoxic.Be sure to especially avoid the dirty dozen: nonorganic fruits and vegetables that are coated with neurotoxic agricultural chemicals. Studies show people with higher levels of organochlorine pesticides in their blood, including DDE, a breakdown compound of DDT, face a higher risk of Alzheimers disease. Its also best to avoid any processed foods.
Suggestion : A Balanced Diet
For patients with dementia, a healthy and balanced diet is a solid start to improve cognitive function and slow down the progression of the disease. This improvement most likely results from improving blood flow and reducing oxidative stress in the brain via diet changes.
One example of a healthy diet for the brain is the MIND diet, which emphasizes green leafy vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, fish, and poultry while avoiding red meat, dairy products, sweets, and fried food. Studies show that following this diet is associated with a slower decline in cognition equivalent to being 7.5 years younger.
The Mediterranean diet and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet are also good choices for dementia patients, as both encourage consumption of fruits and vegetables and the avoidance of sugary treats and processed food.
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