Dementia & Geriatric Cognitive Disorders

Alzheimer's disease is the most familiar form of dementia that affects many senior citizens. The disease develops slowly over time, causing memory loss and other distressing symptoms. The progression of Alzheimer's is so slow that people mistakenly believe the memory loss is due to normal age progression. With the help of family and friends, Alzheimer's and dementia patients can still enjoy life. Staying educated and continuing to learn about new treatments can be helpful for the patient, family and friends.

Dementia

• The Mayo Clinic says dementia is not a specific disease. Instead, dementia describes a group of symptoms that affect social and intellectual abilities severely enough to interfere with daily living. One sign of dementia is memory loss--although this alone is not a true gauge of dementia. Two problematic brain functions such as memory loss and impaired judgment together indicate dementia. Changes in personality and behavior are typical in dementia patients. Some effects of dementia are treatable and sometimes even curable.

Symptoms And Treatments Of Dementia

• Some symptoms of dementia are: memory loss, difficulty communicating, inability to learn or remember newly obtained information, trouble planning or organizing, trouble with coordination and fine motor skills, personality changes, inability to reason, paranoia, agitation and hallucination.

  There are several medications to help treat dementia. They include cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Treating the underlying causes of dementia may possibly slow or stop its progression. Physicians may prescribe medications to help lower or control high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and heart disease. Patients who suffer from behavioral problems may be treated with sedatives and antidepressants.

Alzheimer's Disease

• Alzheimer's disease is an evolving neurological disease that pilots the loss of neurons and is the leading cause of dementia. Alzheimer's is the most common geriatric cognitive disorders, affecting about 5 percent of people from age 65 to 74, and nearly half the people over age 85, reports the Mayo Clinic. Alzheimer's is not a component of the regular aging process; however the threat is enhanced with age. Alzheimer's is accountable for about two-thirds of dementia cases.

Symptoms And Treatment Of Alzheimer's Disease

• Alzheimer's disease usually begins with confusion and minor memory loss, and evolves to irreparable memory impairment that annihilates an individuals ability to remember, imagine reason and learn. Other symptoms of Alzheimer's are repeating things, forgetting conversations or appointments, frequently misplacing things and placing them in irrational locations along with forgetting the names of family members and daily objects.

  As of September 2009, a cure for Alzheimer's disease had not been found. Medications to help ease some of the symptoms of Alzheimer's include cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine.

Medications And Side Effects

• Cholinesterase inhibitors work by increasing the levels of neurotransmitters in the brain. Side effects are diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors are Aricept, Exelon and Razadyne. Memantine can be used along with cholinesterase inhibitors. Memantine is used to defend brain cells from damage caused by the chemical messenger glutamate. Common side effects associated with memantine are dizziness, amplified agitation and delusional conduct.