Diagnostic Tests/lab Tests/lab Values
Currently, the diagnosis of Alzheimers relies primarily on signs and symptoms of mental decline. Primary care physicians and physical therapists can screen for dementia presentations, the next section describes tools for recognizing dementia or Alzheimers presentations in patients. Below are current research developments utilized to exclude other possible diagnoses, while confirming the progression of Alzheimers disease. The Onset of the disease occurs between 40 and 90 years old and most often after 65 years old.
What Is Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimers disease is a progressive condition that damages brain cells and subsequently affects how we speak, move, think, and interact with others.
Alzheimers disease causes memory loss and makes it difficult to perform everyday tasks, such as bathing and using the toilet.
Approximately 10% of Americans over the age of 65 are currently living with Alzheimers disease.
Evidence That Pa Affects Circadian Rhythms
Many physiological processes, such as feeding behavior, motor activity, hormonal secretion, and autonomic nervous system functions, exhibit naturally occurring rhythms that are commonly referred to as circadian rhythmicity. Central to circadian rhythmicity is the suprachiasmatic nucleus , a structure located in the anterior hypothalamus and comprising neurons that regulate different body functions according to rhythms that vary with the 24-hour night-day light cycle. More specifically, the SCN receives direct inputs from the retina, and these cues regulate its pattern of activity. Other major sources of input to the SCN include brain-stem nuclei and the somatosensory cortex.
Given that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors are capable of regulating SCN activity, it seems plausible that modifiable factors such as PA, light exposure, and pharmacotherapeutics could be used to assuage rhythmic abnormalities and sleep fragmentation in AD. It appears that PA can modulate SCN activity by either regulating body temperature or altering the activity of several brain regions that project to the SCN . Consequently, PA has been used to qualitatively and quantitatively improve atypical sleep symptoms across patient populations.
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Increases Mobility And Strength
Alzheimers disease often affects balance and can lead to a high risk for falls. Regular physical therapy helps to keep bones and muscles strong as coordination declines.
You might notice that although your loved one is able to walk that they have an unsteady step. The physical therapist will work with your loved one to build muscle memory to help with preventing falls. The muscles continue to know how to respond even when the brain is not able to register unstable surfaces.
An added bonus of regular physical therapy is improved sleep. One study matched participants with therapists who assisted them to walk for 30 continuous minutes. After 6 months it was found that the participants were sleeping for an extra 36 minutes and waking less at night.
Decreases Aggression And Improves Mood
Aggression and depression can be common traits throughout the progression of Alzheimers. A physical therapist will help your parent or senior loved one to be active. Regular activity has been repeatedly shown to improve mood and reduce aggression.
One study found that an hour of therapy each week for 12 weeks drastically reduced depression. The therapy focused on balance, endurance, flexibility and strength training.
Physical therapy also helps to stabilize aggression through regular exercise. The therapist assists your loved one with active movement and stretches that releases endorphins that soothe the brain. A study found that people with Alzheimers who regularly participated in physical therapy over a 24-month period had fewer hospitalizations related to behavioral problems.
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Does Physical Therapy Help Dementia Patients
Yes. Physical therapy can help dementia patients.
According to one study, maintaining a level of engagement in physical activities is one of the most essential parts of non-pharmaceutical care for dementia patients. Physical therapy can help patients regain balance and improve both physical and mental health.
Physical Therapy Helps Alzheimers Disease
The month of November is dedicated to a cause that affects many lives: National Alzheimers Awareness month. As of 2014, in the United States there is an estimate of 5.2 million Alzheimers patients. Americans are encouraged to participate in Alzheimers Association activities to help fight for a cure.
Alzheimers disease has 10 progressive stages with symptoms. The cognitive symptoms of the disease are the disrupting of memory, language, thinking and reasoning. There are behavioral psychiatric symptoms that are a group of additional symptoms that may occur to some degree depending upon the patient.
The use of physical therapy is important for treating Alzheimer patients. With different stages of the disease, a physical therapist can recognize the challenges associated with it. As an adjunct to traditional medical treatment, a physical therapist will design a treatment program that is specifically tailored to the disease.
Balance Therapy, Therapeutic Exercise, and Massage Therapy are all important methods of therapy for Alzheimer patients. There are specific exercises used in balance therapy that improves balance. Standing with both feet close together or standing on one foot are effective and basic exercises that physical therapists will recommend. To improve safety, assistive devices may be provided. The dependence on assistive devices will be gradually reduced as therapy continues. Supervised balance therapy enables the patient to improve their balance gradually.
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Train Family Members And Caregivers
The family and caregiver may need instruction in how to safely move, lift, or transfer the person with Alzheimer’s disease to prevent injury to the caregiver as well as the person with Alzheimer’s disease. In addition to hands-on care, physical therapists provide caregiver training to improve safety and to decrease the risk of injury. For instance, the therapist can show caregivers how to use adaptive equipment and assistive devices, such as special seating systems, canes, or long-handled reachers, and how to use good “body mechanics” .
Snoring Sleep Apnea Linked To Memory Loss
Levels of tau, a protein associated with Alzheimers, fell in those who exercised vigorously, Baker told the conference. Exercisers had better blood flow in the memory and processing centers of their brains and had measurable improvement in attention, planning, and organizing abilities referred to as executive function.
“These findings are important because they strongly suggest a potent lifestyle intervention such as aerobic exercise can impact Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain,” Baker said in a statement. “No currently approved medication can rival these effects.”
It fits in with a study that found two years of exercising, eating healthier food and brain training can boost peoples memory function.
In a second study, Dr. Steen Hasselbalch of the University of Copenhagen in Denmark and colleagues randomly assigned 200 Alzheimers patients to either do an hour of vigorous exercise three times a week or continue their normal lives for four months.
As with Bakers group, they got people up to 70 to 80 percent of maximum heart rate for at least half of each session. Thats what most experts consider vigorous exercise.
They used a test of thinking and memory called the Symbol-Digit Modalities test and also checked symptoms of depression, activities of daily living and quality of life.
“Regular aerobic exercise could be a fountain of youth for the brain.”
This calls for further study of multimodal treatment strategies, including lifestyle and drug therapies.”
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Evidence That Pa Alters Synaptic Function And Number Of Synapses
As fundamental sites of communication between neurons, synapses play an important role in cognition. Alterations in synapses adversely affect cognitive function by altering local and regional communication, which is essential for proper brain function. Indeed, the loss of synapses is an invariant and early characteristic of AD, and there is a strong relationship between the degree of synaptic loss and the severity of cognitive decline.â
Quantification of synaptic markers in postmortem samples from people with AD has revealed a reduction in the number of synapses in areas of the brain vitally important for learning and memory, particularly the association cortices and hippocampal region., Altered expression of synaptic proteins occurs early during the progression of AD, with concomitant disruption in neuronal communication. As AD progresses, neurons increasingly shrink and lose more and more synaptic connections. By the final stages of the disease, significant neuronal loss and brain atrophy have occurred to the point at which the ability to acquire and encode new memories has been lost.
How Physical Therapy Can Help
While physical therapy cant cure or eliminate the symptoms of dementia, theres a lot we can do to help slow symptoms and improve the quality of life for our patients. When creating treatment plans for dementia patients, we typically focus on:
- Stiff muscles. Keeping patients active and mobile through age- and ability-appropriate exercises help relieve stiff muscles. This helps them to move more comfortably and enjoy their daily activities.
- Muscle weakness. Its vital for dementia patients to keep working on strengthening and utilizing their muscles so they dont become sedentary and lose the ability to participate in their normal activities.
- Heart and cardio health. The higher our cardiovascular function, the more capable our body is to fight off disease. Dementia is no different. Were not marathon training, but giving patients the ability to elevate their heart rate just enough to see improvements in cardiovascular health. This is important for giving them the strength to fight the bigger battle.
- Cognitive abilities. Were not playing brain games or anything, but endorphins and neuron development play a large part in keeping our patients sharp. The increase in activities can improve memory, elevate patients mood, and improve their overall quality of life.
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Welcome To Back In Motion Sarasota Physical Therapy
Restoring the quality of life you desire faster and better.
We are experts in gentle pain relief and injury solutions for the greater Sarasota, FL area. Our forward thinking methods are sure to produce the results that you are looking for with your pain relief. You, as the patient, will begin with a complete physical exam, spend time one on one with a skilled therapist who will listen, understand, and be quick in determining your needs. Even if you have tried other treatments and therapies, there is a program that we can offer that is right for you and is proven to be the most effective for your individual needs.
Here are some of the benefits you will receive at Back In Motion Sarasota Physical Therapy:
- You will learn how to avoid future problems
- Our number one goal is to make sure you will be able to live a more enjoyable life
- We offer a free shuttle to and from our clinic
- Offering the latest industry leading technology to provide you a faster recovery
- Bilingual, caring and friendly staff
It Can Help Maintain Independence
In the later stages of Alzheimers disease, daily activities such as eating, bathing, and toileting may become increasingly difficult.
Your physical therapist can help provide opportunities to strengthen your muscles so you can continue performing these tasks independently.
Your physical therapist can also help your support network set up a safe environment in your home.
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Physical Activity & Dementia Prevention
Years ago, doctors thought that you couldnt grow neurons. However, now we know there are many lifestyle factors we can control to generate neurons and combat any possible effects of dementia before it begins. Regular physical activity, through a combination of cardiovascular exercise, balance, and mobility, is one of the best ways to promote healthy brain activity and generate your cognitive reserve.
Why Use Physical Therapy For Alzheimer’s Disease
Physical therapists are licensed professionals, trained to help patients with several types of neurological disorders including Alzheimer’s. Your therapist can recognize the challenges associated with different stages of the disease and can design a treatment program as an adjunct to traditional medical treatment.
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Physical Therapy & Dementia: Treatment Prevention & Quality Of Life
Dementia can be a scary, overwhelming, and isolating diagnosis. While there is no known cure for dementia, there are plenty of things patients and loved ones can do to prevent cognitive decline. Dr. Michelle Bogert, clinic director of the Paradise Valley clinic, and Dr. Mayy Deadrick, a family practitioner at Manzanita Medical Center share how doctors and physical therapists can work together to prevent and treat the symptoms of dementia.
Maintain Independence Through Activities Of Daily Living
Being able to take care of yourself is an important way to be independent. Daily activities like bathing, dressing, eating and toileting can become difficult with Alzheimers. A physical therapist will provide opportunities to practice and strengthen the ability to keep doing the daily activities.
A physical therapist can also help family members set up a safe environment for the person with Alzheimers. It is a typical goal to be able to maintain the loved ones function and independence as long as possible.
Physical therapy can make the difference between getting up off the toilet or not.
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Physical Therapy Guide To Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimers disease is a condition that damages brain cells. About 10% of Americans aged over 65 years around 5.6 million people have Alzheimer’s disease. There are also around 200,000 people who are diagnosed with the disease before age 65. The disease causes memory loss and other problems. People with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty performing simple tasks. Physical therapists work with families to help people with Alzheimer’s disease keep moving safely and living their best lives.
What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition. It damages brain cells and affects how we speak, think, move, and deal with other people. It can lead to a decline in memory and the ability to perform daily activities.
Alzheimer’s disease is the fifth leading cause of death among American adults aged over 65 years.
The risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease increases with age. People rarely develop the disease before age 60. Most people with the disease do not have a family history of it.
CAUTION: One of the major symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease is confusion. However, there are several other possible causes of confusion.
If confusion comes on suddenly, see a doctor or a neurologist immediately.
If confusion occurs or gets worse after a fall or a head injury, call 911.
Signs and Symptoms
There are 10 warning signs of possible Alzheimer’s disease:
Memory changes that disrupt daily life.
Difficulty making decisions, especially in planning or solving problems.
Evidence That Pa Positively Alters Inflammation And Immune Function
Inflammation is a complex cellular and molecular defense mechanism designed to protect against stress, infection, and injury. In the brain, this process is characterized by the activation of inflammatory cells and the release of inflammatory molecules, such as interleukin 1β, interleukin 6, and tumor necrosis factor α. Secreted inflammatory molecules recruit other immune cells, such as monocytes and lymphocytes, to cross the blood-brain barrier and induce neuroinflammation in the brain. Several studies have implicated overactive neuroinflammatory processes in AD. For example, it has been shown that there are elevated levels of inflammatory molecules in regions adjacent to Aβ plaques as well as in cerebrospinal fluid, altered lymphocyte and macrophage distributions in the brain, and increased activation of inflammatory cells in addition, a reduced risk of dementia has been reported in people receiving anti-inflammatory drugs. Whether the relationship of the immune response to AD is primary or secondary has yet to be determined nevertheless, the suggestion that PA might play an anti-inflammatory role in AD by mitigating neuronal dysfunction, the occurrence of Aβ pathology, and neurodegeneration warrants close consideration.
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Training Family Members And Caregivers
Family members may need instruction on how to safely move, lift, or transfer someone with Alzheimer’s disease. Physical therapists can instruct caregivers on how to prevent injury to themselves and to the person with the disease. In addition to hands-on care, physical therapists teach people how to use equipment and assistive devices. Individuals may learn how to use equipment such as:
- Special seating.
Book Your Appointment With Capitol Physical Therapy Today
At Capitol Physical Therapy, were here to help your loved one stay active and independent as long as possible.
Let us help you or your loved one live your life to its fullest.
Book your appointment with Capitol Physical Therapy today.
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Physical Exercise And Physiologic Brain Aging
The impact of resistance exercise on cognitive function has gained notice in the past few years. In a recent meta-analysis, more than 24 studies were reviewed that investigated the effects of weight lifting on different cognitive outcomes in older individuals. According to the results, resistance training has positive effects on measurements related to the detection of cognitive impairment and executive functions. However, resistance training has no effect on working memory measurements.39 Although a high heterogeneity was observed in all analyses, the authors concluded that resistance training seemed to have positive effects on cognition. However, future research will need to determine why the effects are so variable.
From this first part of the review, we can conclude that exercise programs with components of both aerobic and resistance training, of moderate intensity, and lasting at least 45 min per session on as many days of the week as possible, are beneficial in terms of cognitive function in older healthy adults.40
Balance Training For Preventing Falls
Aging people often fall in situations where they lose their balance. Luckily, with a proper physical therapy program for Alzheimers symptoms, they can learn how to more effectively regain their balance in such a situation. This isnt only while standing or walking, it may also be useful when patients are participating in sports, exercises, or even simple day to day activities.
Physical therapists use a variety of tools and techniques to safely reenact the circumstances patients would experience prior to a fall. Through practice, they develop the ability to better prevent such a fall from occurring. Stopping an injury before it happens is the goal in this scenario. Keeping the body limber allows patients to focus as well as strengthen.
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