Early dementia treatment

Treatment of Dementia

Not all cases of dementia can be recovered. Dementia treatment can be done to relieve symptoms experienced and avoid complications. Treatment of dementia includes the provision of drugs, therapy, until surgery.

Drugs
Some types of drugs commonly used to treat symptoms of dementia are:

Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, to relieve symptoms of mild Alzheimer's disease, lewy bodies and hallucinations as the cause of dementia. Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and decreased heart rate. It is recommended to always monitor heart condition through ECG during treatment.

Memantine, to slow down the chemical reaction in the brain. Generally prescribed if acetylcholinesterase inhibitors do not help or dementia has entered middle severity. Possible side effects include dizziness, headache, loss of balance, constipation, and hypertension.

Antipsychotics, to relieve aggressive or agitated aggressive behavior. Usually these drugs are consumed in a short time to avoid the risk of side effects such as drowsiness, cardiovascular problems, difficulty communicating, until the body is stiff, especially for people with dementia caused by lewy bodies.

Antidepressants, to relieve depressive symptoms that generally occur in people with dementia.

For symptoms that mimic dementia, the following supplements will be recommended:

Vitamin E, to slow Alzheimer's and related dementia conditions. Vitamin E is usually consumed in low doses to avoid such complications death, especially for people with heart disease.

Omega 3 folic acid Although still need further research, omega 3 is believed to help reduce a person's risk of dementia. 

Therapy

Some psychological therapies are performed to relieve symptoms of dementia, such as:

Cognitive stimulation therapy and reality orientation, in order to stimulate memory, problem-solving ability, language skills, ease disorientation of the mind, to increase the confidence of the patient.

Behavior therapy, to suppress uncontrolled behavior that occurs due to depression or hallucinations.

Occupational therapy, to teach the patient how to perform daily activities safely and tailored to his condition, while also teaching how to control emotions and prepare for further development of symptoms in progressive dementia.

Validation therapy, by showing empathy and understanding the condition of the patient so as not to experience depression. While it may help to alleviate the confusion and anxiety of the patient, validation therapy has not had sufficient evidence in terms of its effectiveness.

In addition to the above therapies, there are also some supportive therapies that can be done at home, such as music therapy, aromatherapy, massage, play with pets, to perform art activities.

During the process of therapy, it is advisable to modify the furniture in order to facilitate the patient move and get rid of sharp objects so as not to endanger the patient.

Operation

In cases of dementia caused by brain tumors, brain injury, or hydrocephalus, surgical action may be suggested. If there has been no permanent damage to the brain, surgery may help to restore symptoms.

Treatment of other conditions

Conditions triggering dementia such as hypertension, diabetes and cholesterol disorders need to be treated in order not to cause further nerve or blood vessel damage. Lifestyle changes such as reducing alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can also help.

Dementia Complications

Dementia can impair the functioning of the body system and potentially lead to complications if not treated properly, such as:

Pneumonia, caused by choking food in the respiratory tract and lungs due to difficulty swallowing.

Lack of nutrients, caused by the difficulty of chewing and swallowing food.

Decrease in body function, causing the patient to depend on others for daily activities.

Death, especially in patients with progressive dementia late stage due to infection experienced.

Prevention of Dementia

Dementia can not be prevented, but there are several ways that can be done to suppress the risks, such as:

1) Stop smoking.
2) Exercise regularly.
3) Maintain nutritional intake and apply a healthy diet, such as low-fat and high-fiber foods.
4) Reduce alcohol intake.
5) Maintain weight.
6) Increase vitamin D intake.
7) Periodically train the brain, such as reading and playing puzzles.
8) Maintain health, such as controlling blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol.
9) Avoidance of head injury.