Thursday, August 31, 2006

It's a Brain Thing: Alzheimer's and other dementias: part 1

Untangling The Web Of Alzheimer's Disease

There is a wonderful 8 minute video you should watch regarding the latest on Alzheimer's Disease.

Simply click on the link about and you will be taken straight to the video.

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Facts About Dementia

Dementia is a debilitating disease that not only effects the person afflicted with it but the entire family. Dementia is a progressive disease that over a period of years eventually robs a person of their ability to recognize family members or take care of themselves and their daily needs. Alzheimers is only one form of dementia and is the best known.

Studies have indicated that 5% of people over the age of 65 and 20% of those people over the age of 80 will suffer from dementia. There doesn't seem to be any scientific evidence that indicates that old-age dementia is suffered on a generational basis by way of genetics. Dementia is brought about by aging through the destruction of nerve cells in the brain. As each of us ages we all have some naturally occurring loss of nerves cells by when someone suffers from Alzheimers dementia the loss of nerve cells is much more rapid.

Early symptoms of dementia may be a change in a loved ones personality or behavior. Your loved one may have memory loss and difficulty performing tasks. Eventually dementia affects language, comprehension, personality traits and daily functioning.

One of the most difficult things for families of those suffering from dementia to deal with may be the personality changes. Some people who suffer from dementia can become combative both physically and verbally. As the dementia progresses the person may lose all ability to physically care for himself/herself and need help with the most simple of tasks such as dressing and bathing.

At some point in time it usually becomes impossible for family members to care for those with advanced Alzheimers. At this time they may want to look into a round-the-clock home for their loved one.

There are many organizations dedicated to the fight against Alzheimers who also offer support and guidance for family who are impacted by the disease.


About the Author
To learn more about Dementia please visit http://www.for-dementia.info

Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo Biloba
A Powerful Antioxidant Detoxifying Qualities

Ginkgo Biloba is also called the Maidenhair Tree. Ginkgo Biloba can be found in parks and along city sidewalks around the world. It may grow as high as 40 meters and live for more than 1,000 years. Ginkgo Biloba, a powerful antioxidant that has detoxifying qualities. Ginkgo Biloba is recognized for its great revitalizing, stimulating, and firming qualities Ginkgo Biloba leaf extracts used in traditional Chinese medicine for many centuries. Ginkgo Biloba is especially popular in Europe; officials in Germany recently approved the extract for treating dementia.

Ginkgo Biloba is perhaps the most widely used herbal treatment aimed. Ginkgo Biloba is gaining recognition as a brain tonic that enhances memory because of its positive effects on the vascular system, especially in the cerebellum. It is also used as a treatment for vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and a variety of neurological disorders and circulation problems. Ginkgo Biloba may help to counteract the effects of aging, including mental fatigue and lack of energy.

Ginkgo Biloba Purpose:

Ginkgo Biloba herb is a useful and demonstrated tonic for numerous diseases caused by restricted blood flow. European physicians advise the extract for treatment of Raynaud''s disease, a condition of impaired circulation to the fingers. It is also suggested to treat alternating claudicating, a circulatory condition that results in aching cramping of the calf muscles in the leg and impairs the ability to walk. German herbalists recommend ingesting the extract for treatment of leg ulcers, and large doses are used to treat varicose veins. Ginkgo is broadly recommended in Europe for the treatment of stroke. Ginkgo extract also acts to reduce destructive free-radicals in the body, and has been shown to be capable in treatment of premenstrual syndrome, relieving affectionate or painful breasts.

Ginkgo Biloba leaves have two groups of chemicals.
Flavenoids - Flavenoids aids capillary function and has powerful antioxidants.
Terpenoids - Terpenoids can control platelet-activiating.

Antioxidants are substances that scavenge free radicals, damaging compounds in the body that alter cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Free radicals take place naturally in the body, but environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, cigarette smoking, and air pollution) can also boost the number of these damaging particles.

Ginkgo Precautions:

Ginkgo does decrease platelet function occasionally.
For patients taking Ginkgo, their physician can monitor their platelet function.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using ginkgo preparations.
Ginkgo should be avoided two days before and one to two weeks after surgery to avoid bleeding complications.

Ginkgo Biloba Dosage:

As an herbal dietary supplement, take one Vcaps daily, preferably with meals.

For more Health Articles kindly visit our website: http://www.getnutri.com/articles

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Discover How To Becoming A Successful Alzheimer Disease Caregiver

Alzheimers disease is a progressive disease in which the condition worsens over time. As more parts of the brain are being damaged, the symptoms of Alzheimers disease become more severe. Patients experience frustration and grief as they struggle with gradual loss of function and fading memory. Their family members grieve as well, as they observe their loved ones losing their abilities, personality and function. Anger, confusion, sadness and depression are common reactions in families experiencing anticipatory grief. Being an

Alzheimers caregiver takes energy and courage. As the patients mental abilities decreases, the caregivers responsibility increases. Thus, the caring for a patient with Alzheimers disease could become increasingly difficult and stressful over time. Many Alzheimers disease caregivers experience intense stress as they struggle to understand the patients behavioural changes and determine what interventions will work for the problems that arise each day. This stressful task can have a detrimental effect on the caregivers emotional, social and physical well-being.

One possible way that the caregiver could reduce the stress of caregiving and cope with the task more effectively is to develop skills in caregiving. As Alzheimers disease progresses and the behavior of the patient become more complex, caregivers need to understand the patients changing behaviors and learn techniques to manage the behavioural difficulties.

Thus, it is particularly important that the caregiver acquire knowledge about the Alzheimers disease and its progression, skills and strategies for managing the challenges, and information on the available resources to turn to when the need arises. This is even more essential if the caregiver is new to the task. If a new caregiver has totally no knowledge of

Alzheimers disease and is greatly lacking in coping skills, the task of caregiving is even more difficult. Along the way, as the caregiver encounter more and more unexpected new challenges, the caregiver will definitely feel overwhelmed by these problems. The stress experienced by the caregiver would certainly be greater and could result in a detrimental effect on the caregivers well-being, which in turn could result in an adverse impact on the patients situation.

It is also important to note that every patient deserves the highest standard of care possible and an equipped caregiver is more able to provide the high standard of care required for the patient. At times, although an elderly person with severe impairment in memory and mental function may need to be communicated with at the primary functioning level of a small child, but he or she also needs, and has a right to be respected as an adult.

A trained caregiver would learn the communication skills required to interact with the patient and be more equipped to provide proper care for the patient. Hence, training is necessary for the caregiver to acquire the appropriate skills needed for the job and enable the caregiver to provide the standard of care required. The patient will benefit from the quality of care provided.

Thus, the importance of developing skills in caregiving should not be overlooked. It would certainly help the caregiver to cope with the task and reduce the stress of caregiving. At the same time, the caregiver will be able to provide the standard of care required and the patient will benefit from it. Furthermore, if caregivers find that their approaches are effective, they will gain confidence and increased satisfaction doing the task. In this way, hopefully, caregivers would end up finding meaning and purpose in the difficult task of caregiving instead of finding the task a daunting one.


About the Author
Freelance Writer on various topics. Please visit the Caregivers Tips information site.

Monday, August 28, 2006

What Is The Alzheimer's Disease You Ask

Alzheimer's disease is likely one of the causes of Dementia. It is a chronic disease of the brain which in actuality starts in the cerebral cortex. It is usually defined by the gradual and progressive decay in a person's mental abilities. It impacts both sexes normally those who are over the age of sixty. Alzheimer's has been known to happen in people as young as forty.

The most advance symptom of Alzheimer's disease is mere forgetfulness. This is often neglected especially if the individual is elderly, however it slowly progresses to more serious symptoms such as difficulty in doing simple or normal jobs like fastening buttons or tying shoelaces.

There is a progressive worsening in both the individual's mental and physical condition along with their abilities and their memory. There is also an adjustment in the behavior and individuality of the person with Alzheimer's, with their normal demeanor a thing of the past. For example, somebody who has always been easy and kind may begin to speak filthy language and make improper sexual advances or become hostile and begin hitting and lashing out at people.

In the more advanced stages of Alzheimer's, the person finally becomes incapable of doing any task at all. They also start not having control over urination and defecation, lose their ability to speak, lose the ability to walk right, suffer paralysis and lose their total memory.

If care is given early enough, it can slightly delay the disease, but unfortunately is not curable at this time.

As soon as Alzheimers disease is diagnosed, then the person should be handed as much help and support as can be done especially in the early stages. Most people who start with Alzheimer's disease are alert at first than something is not right with them. Knowing you are losing your mind can be a very disturbing and frightening experience.

Their family should also be consulted so they can come to terms with the diagnosis as it can have a crushing effect on them especially if the person with Alzheimer's is young and responsible for part of the household income.

There are a lot of support groups out there they can join who will assist them with adapting and coming to terms with the life changing disease that has happened to their loved one.

In the last stages of Alzheimer's disease, the person becomes so stressing that many families have no alternative but to place their loved one in a nursing home so they can be cared for by professionals. This can also be disturbing for both the family and the person who is ill.

The reason for Alzheimers disease is not known, although scientists and physicians have many ideas about its beginnings. There have been many explanations such as the storage of aluminium in the brain to fluoride in the water. None have been verified.


About the Author
Jim's articles are from extensive research on each of his topics. You can learn more of alzheimer's disease by visiting: Alzheimer's

Alzheimers Warning Signs

We all have to face getting older and there are many things that we have to tell to adjust to. One thing that everyone has a problem with is losing his or her memory, and forgetting important dates and times. This may not be just a sign of getting older; it may be an Alzheimer's disease warning.

The discovery of the symptoms of Alzheimer's visitation can be a scary feeling. There are ways to treat and mitigate Alzheimer's disease. The first thing to do is to get the diagnosis. People, who feel that something may be wrong with their physical ability, should see their family physician. The diagnosis is critical to the long-term success of Alzheimer's disease treatment. It is crucial to see the doctor at the first signs of the affliction.

If the doctor suspects dementia, they may diagnose it then or recommend a neurologist or someone who specializes in this type of disease. These doctors may be able to have a better understanding of the Alzheimer's disease warning signs and help the afflicted person determine the outcome better.

Other procedures a doctor may make would be to perform a test that is used to accurately pinpoint the progress of the disease. This test will allow the doctors and the patient to find out where they are at with the disease and what is the next step in helping the situation.

Some of Alzheimer's disease warning signs to look out for is progressive memory loss and other brain functions. Symptoms that begin between the age of forty and ninety are a sign that there may be a problem with this type of disease. There are no other symptoms that are associated with dementia. Dementia has to be confirmed by medical or psychological exams. Depression is another vile Alzheimer's patients warning. This is a scary symptom and can lead to other problems associated with Alzheimer's. This is a warning sign that anyone needs to be recognized before other crisis arise. These are the first stages of the syndrome and there are more and harder maladies that will come up in the future.

The next stages of Alzheimer's are more defined and will be noticed by the person afflicted and their family and friends. This is when further breakdowns occur and will be harder to accept. The family member will take on more physical changes and will become less attentive to the people that love them. This is when the Alzheimer disease warning signs start to be begin and become more ponderous to recognize.


About the Author
Download "Living With Alzheimers", in ebook and audio. Living With Alzheimers

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Snail Toxin Could Help In Development Of Drugs To Cure Brain Disease - August 22, 2006

All Headline News - Snail Toxin Could Help In Development Of Drugs To Cure Brain Disease - August 22, 2006

Wow, it never ceased to amaze me what wonderful breakthroughs can be made in Science today.

I'm quite sure that my the time my children are grown there will be a cure for Alzheimers Disease and hopefully Dementia as well.

Saturday, August 19, 2006

Her story may save a life

The Cincinnati Post - Her story may save a life

Now this I found to be just incredible!!!

Have you ever heard of NPH before, "no", I haven't either - until now.

The correlation between NPH and Alzheimers Disease is indestinquishable but NPH is curable!

Real the whole story by clicking on the heading link.

Friday, August 18, 2006

Phew...that was scary!

Well, what a scare I had this last week. You see mum has some more of her teeth removed on Monday morning which made her uncomfortable, understandably...

On top of that she developed an eye infection and a chest cold.

Panic!!! Mum is extremely frail now and I wasn't sure whether or not her body could fight any infections off...

So I've been sitting with her, since she's been bed bound and feeding her lunch and keeping her company.

On Tuesday she looked awful, it was all I could not to burst into tears in front of her. She was so frail, there's nothing left of her but skin and bone and she just had such a distant far off look in her eyes....it was heartbreaking.

My Aunt, mum's sister sat with her yesterday too.

I went back in today and she looked a bit better. She stills eats really well but you just have to wonder if it actually does her any good anymore, whether her body is able to derive any nutrition from what she eats.

So anyway the doctor has looked at mum and given her antibiotics and the Unit Manager informed me that because mum has been kept in her room away from the other residents who are passing the cold backwards and forwards to each other, this has actually helped mum improve and she should make a full recovery.

It was thought she may contract pneumonia but looks like she will pull through....phew....hugh sigh of relief.

Later...

Thursday, August 10, 2006

Dementia Patient Wanders

KRT Wire | 08/08/2006 | Act before a dementia patient wanders

I'm sure I've touched on this subject before BUT it is worth repeating.

Some form of identification - a bracelet for example is an excellent idea to ensure that should your loved one wander off, there is some way for them to be identified and returned safely to you.

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Frontotemperal Dementia

Continence management

Continence management

In Australia at the moment it is Continence Awareness Week, so I feel it is timely to put this article up for your information.

It covers issues such as what can be done, finding help and support and incontinence aids.

Who should take the car keys away from Alzheimer's patients?

Who should take the car keys away from Alzheimer's patients?: South Florida Sun-Sentinel

This is a superb article and raises a question that was often bandied around our Carer's Support Meetings.

It seems that nobody wants to step up and take responsiblity or at least take the burdon off the relative.

This article is just "a must read" for all carers - it raises some excellent points.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society website - the leading UK care and research charity for people with all forms of dementia, their carers and families

I do believe that the best place to begin your search for information on Alzheimer's disease is this link (above).

There are many categories that you can search through and find out lots of information and support is available in various forms.

Take a really good look through this site and you will be pleased to find something to assist you immediately.

How Acetyl-L-Carnitine prevents Alzheimer's disease and dementia

How Acetyl-L-Carnitine prevents Alzheimer's disease and dementia while boosting brain function

Came across this interesting article which I thought some of you may be interested in reading.

I appreciate that alot of people are not interested in "alternative" methods but after reading this article - nothing ventured nothing gained.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Once-a-day pill may cure Alzheimer's

Once-a-day pill may cure Alzheimer's

Oh, wouldn't this be a wonderful breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer's Disease.

Please read the article and let's keep our fingers and toes crossed.

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Frontotemporal Dementia - Staging & Long Term Care (Valerie Cotter)

Video taken at the 2005 Frontotemporal Dementia Caregiver Conference on November 11, 2005 in Philadelphia, PA. The speaker for this segment was Valerie T. Cotter, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., F.A.A.N.P., on the topic of Staging & Long Term Care.