Following
diagnosis, drug treatment may be offered to influence the cholernergic
neurotransmitter system & hence slowing down the rate of decline.
Currently three main prescibed drugs are available for younger people
suffering from Alzheimer's disease:
Aricept (Donepezil); Exalon (Revastigmine);
Reminyl (Galantamine)
Other beneficail supplements
include Vitamin E, Vitamin B complex (Especially B1 & B12) and
Folic Acid
Pharmacological approaches
may help, but certain sufferers or types of Dementia may respond
better to other approaches. The phycological profile of the sufferer
should be addressed & assessed for their benefit. Treatments
including pyschosocial interventions and theraputic activities may
be more beneficial regarding behavioural problems and the underlying
emotional wellbeing. Work done by organizations such as The Clive
Project in Oxford can be enlightening when trying to understand
the sufferers personal world
As regards to Alcohol
& other recreational drugs - we would recommend a rule of thunb
that relates to the individual concerned - but relative to their
Assessed mental age. These mind-altering drugs do just that, alter
a sufferers mind. The personality may change with every drink ...
and some may become very Aggressive, you have been warned!
An occassional night
in the local, or time spent with friends can be the very best of
therapy ... but you need to be there for those that depend on you.
Be very strict - for them. In the early stages it is so very easy
to get it wrong, with all the best of intentions; we know
Finding the right
balance of drugs & activities is the very best of therapy
Click
here for a listing of commonly prescribed drugs, then click
the associated link for a description of the drug you are intersted
in
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