Archive for April, 2010

It’s unfortunate that just as a person enters their precious golden years, when they should be spending their days with the grandchildren or trekking across the country in an RV, that they have their entire lives stolen from them because of Alzheimer’s disease.   This terrible condition can cause anyone to lose not just long-term but also short-term memory and can bring about such symptoms as hallucinations, outbursts, confusion, and other behavioral symptoms.   A person with Alzheimer’s can also become extremely paranoid, assuming that those around them are deliberately trying to hurt or harm them or that they are stealing from them when in reality they of course aren’t.

There are many treatment options for those with Alzheimer’s; while doctors seem to still be years away from curing the disease they do offer medications that slow down the loss of certain chemicals that seem to trigger the condition.   Other medications seem to stimulate certain chemicals and hormones that protect brain function.

But if you’re looking for natural treatment options when it comes to Alzheimer’s, bear in mind that prevention is probably the best thing to consider.   Scientists and doctors have long been saying that the brain is a muscle and in order to protect it and keep it strong and healthy, you need to exercise it.   This means avoiding the temptation of being mentally lazy.   It’s thought that those who do mentally challenging activities such as puzzles and trivia games, and who reinforce their connections with people through strong family and friend relationships, typically avoid Alzheimer’s more than others.

It’s also believed that vitamin E is helpful in preventing Alzheimer’s as other vitamins may be as well.   Vitamin E supplies Oxygen to the heart and the other muscles in the body.   Accelerates wound healing and aids in the functioning of the immune system.

Up to one-third of older people can no longer absorb Vitamin B from their food.   Vitamin B is needed to form red blood cells and keep nerves healthy.   Ginkgo Plus supplies a comprehensive range of important nutrients needed for the proper functioning of the vascular system and for improving blood circulation to the brain.

For those who do already have this condition, it helps to understand what it does to one’s mind and to act accordingly.   Since those with Alzheimer’s often have outbursts and make outlandish accusations, realize that responding defensively or angrily is not going to help the situation any and may only serve to agitate a person.   There is also no need to correct the person or argue with them; if they want to visit a relative that has died many years ago, you don’t need to remind them of the death.   You may instead simply say something nice about the person (“Yes, aunt Mary did make delicious cookies every time we visited, didn’t she?”) and then change the subject.

It also helps to keep their environment as comfortable as possible; remove obstacles and dangers and keep the patient out of the kitchen and other areas of the home where they can injure themselves.   Hide car keys so they can’t drive off, which has happened from time to time.   Remember that those with Alzheimer’s often don’t realize they have the disease and may not realize that they’re not a danger to themselves and others.

This report is nutritional in nature and not to be construed as medical advice.

Always consult your doctor before using this information.