" The effect of the vegetables probably comes from the antioxidants and B. vitamins they contain (Ritter, 2004).
Herbal remedies and other dietary supplements are often promoted as effective treatments for Alzheimer's disease and related diseases. Claims about the safety and effectiveness of these products, however, are based largely on testimonials, tradition, and only a small body of scientific research. The rigorous scientific research required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is not required by law for the marketing of dietary supplements (Imperial, 1998).
Some of these dietary supplements are Coenzyme Q10 or ubiquinone, an antioxidant that occurs naturally in the body; Ginkgo biloba, a plant extract with compounds that may have positive effects on cells in the brain and the body. With antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; Huperzine A, a moss extract that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries and has properties similar to FDA-approved Alzheimer medications; Omega-3 fatty acids, which been linked to reduced risk of heart disease and stroke; Phosphatidylserine, a kind of lipid, or fat, the primary component of cell membranes of neurons, which degenerate in Alzheimer disease; and coral calcium, a form of calcium carbonate which the FCA and the FTC have made a formal complaint against as not having any evidence to support the claims of being a cure for Alzheimer disease (Genetics, 2006).
Vitamin E supplements may help brain cells defend themselves from attacks. Normal cell functions create a byproduct called free radical, a kind of oxygen molecule that can damage cell structures and genetic material. This damage, called oxidative stress, may play a role in Alzheimer's disease. Cells have natural defenses against this damage, including the antioxidants vitamin sC and E, but with age some of these natural defenses decline, thus the need for extra Vitamin E
5. Medication
The AD patient should talk with the family and doctor about what medical treatments they want to receive in the event they become unable to communicate their wishes. The AD patient may also wish to prepare an advance directive, a legal document that outlines wishes for future medical treatment, as well as a living will.
Behaviors
Exercise is emerging as a possible help in preventing or delaying Alzheimer's. It has long been known that lifelong exercise reduces a person's risk of developing high blood pressure, stroke, and cardiovascular diseases, which in turn decrease the risk of Alzheimer's. The brain benefits greatly from the increased blood circulation brought about and sustained by regular physical activity. Exercise is also an excellent way to release stress and improve overall physical and emotional health (Genetics, 2006).
A key principle of intervention is redirecting the affected individual's attention, rather than arguing, disagreeing, or being confrontational with the person. Additional intervention strategies include the following: simplify the environment, simplify tasks and routines and use lighting to reduce confusion and restlessness at night.
Alternative Living Choices
Living at Home
Alzheimer's disease affects each person differently. The patient will have good days and bad days. A family with an AD patient must try to maximize the good days and not dwell on the bad days, remembering that they are not alone. They should consider joining a support group, by calling a local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association for information on support groups for people with Alzheimer's disease. Neither family members nor the AD patient should keep fears and feelings inside or remain without counsel. The patient and family should seek professional counseling, and share feelings with friends, family or a clergy members.
Family's responsibility
The Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center was established by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) and the Office of Rare Diseases (ORD). It employs experienced information specialists to answer questions from the general public, including patients and their families, about care of patients living at home or in nursing homes. There are also resources for finding information on financial aid for medical treatment available from Genetic and Rare Diseases Resources. This group also offers reliable health information to families of AD patients (Bird, 2005).
Home Safety
Taking care of the patient with AD is a large responsibility. The patient should get regular check-ups, and follow doctor's recommendations about diet, exercise and taking medications. They should also be watched so that they will not wander away from the house they live in, for they may forget how to return, they also need adequate rest between stimulating events, labels to cue or remind them of activities and times, doors...
In light of the knowledge provided by these case studies, it is important to note certain flaws in the methodology of each cases study. The study in the case of midlife neuroticism, the researchers do not take into account pre- existing conditions such the brain structure and function associated with greater neuroticism. Failure to proper diagnosis might lead to early presentation of Alzheimer's disease in response to pathology. As for
What is worth noting here is the fact that behavior disturbances, ranging in severity from repeated questioning to physical violence, are common (National Institute of Mental Health, 1989). It is unclear whether Alzheimer's disease represents a single entity or several variants. Some experts believe that there are distinct subtypes of Alzheimer's disease, such as Lewy body disease (in which the signs of Parkinson's disease, visual hallucinations or alterations in alertness
A. Harvard Women's Health Watch (2010) Preserving and improving memory as we age. Feb 1: NA B. This is an article that is written directly to consumers who are over the age of 50 and are starting to notice changes in the ability to remember things. It addresses the fact that this wrongly causes fear in some people that they are prone toward Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that cognitive decline
2013: 1483). It notes that although genetic markers "are known for individuals of European ancestry, but whether the same or different variants account for the genetic risk of Alzheimer disease in African-American individuals" was unknown before the study (Reitz et al. 2013: 1483). In contrast, the Kolata piece seemed to suggest that the association was very much a 'known' quantity, even though it had not yet been directly proven.
Neither is any proper information available on the cost of treatment and care giving. In the absence of old age homes and nursing centers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, there is lack of information on how to properly take care and handle those old aged people who are suffering from the Alzheimer's disease. Such patients who live with their families and relatives are unable to receive proper treatment
) Researcher believe that when Alzheimer's begins to attack, it hits the "factory" of cell groups that otherwise are functioning perfectly. There are breakdowns in the communications that the cell groups hitherto provided, and although scientists don't know precisely where the attack is first launched by Alzheimer's, but they do understand that "as the damage spreads, cells lose their ability to do their jobs and, eventually die, causing irreversible changes
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