Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease; but, BrightFocus is working to change that. While medical science is not certain why Alzheimer’s disease affects some people and not others, researchers worldwide are searching for answers about the disease's root causes and ways to prevent or detect it early so we can stop the progression and ultimately find a cure.
In the meantime, that doesn’t mean that Alzheimer’s patients and their physicians are without options.
Treatments and Drug Options for Alzheimer's Disease
- Some medications help control or delay symptoms for a time, particularly in the early stages of the disease.
- Other drug treatments can help manage mental or emotional health symptoms like depression or agitation.
- Behavioral or environmental strategies—actions that can help reduce stress in a patient’s daily activities, for example—may reduce anxiety and manage conditions without medical intervention.
How these Drugs Work
These drugs may work for some people but not others, and they do not stop the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, the drugs may delay it or help with symptom control for a period of time, particularly in the earlier stages of the disease. This action, in turn, may help patients with their attention and focus, cognitive abilities, memory, and communication skills.
Side Effects
Always talk to a doctor about the pros and cons of trying a particular drug treatment, alone or in combination with other drugs or with behavioral approaches. Even if certain medicines are well tolerated by most patients, drugs may have side effects such as:
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Trouble sleeping
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