May 14th, 2008
Model Shows How Mutation Tips Biochemistry To Cause Alzheimer’s - “Cellular processes, like all the routines of life, are unfathomably complex, constantly evolving, and are sometimes dramatically sensitive to the smallest of changes. Consider the case of Alzheimer’s disease… ” (more)
Switch From Donepezil Tablets to Rivastigmine Transdermal Patch Safe in Alzheimer’s Disease: Presented at AGS - “Switching medications is an option for patients who do not adhere to prescribed treatment due to tolerability issues, lack of initial efficacy, or loss of efficacy when the drug is taken for a long time…” (more)
Alzheimer’s Arrives Early In Life For Many - “A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be devastating at any age but doctors said there are more people being diagnosed at an earlier age…” (more)
Alzheimer’s Disease Brings Burdens to Patients and Their Families - “Every 71 seconds someone in this country develops Alzheimer’s, a progressive and fatal disease that destroys brain cells. As the population of the state and country ages, the number of Alzheimer’s patients is increasing. Emotional and financial burdens to families are enormous…” (more)
Tags: Alzheimer's Research, alzheimer's study, Alzheimers, Alzheimers-disease, drug trials, early alzheimer's, medications, researchShare This
By Liz Lewis -- 0 comments
May 13th, 2008
It was thought that the Celebrex, an arthritis drug and Aleve, an over-the-counter painkiller might help prevent Alzheimer’s disease or at least slow mental decline in older people. But new studies show that taking these medications provides no benefit on a person’s thinking skills.
In fact, government experiments with these two drugs wsa stopped back in 2004 because of other studies indicating that both Celebrex and Aleve increased heart risks.
However, the data collected from the government experiments did provide information about how the drugs acted on the memory and thinking. These findings will appear in July’s Archives of Neurology.
Read more…
Tags: Alzheimers, Alzheimers-disease, medications, pain meds, prevention, research, treatmentShare This
By Liz Lewis -- 0 comments
May 13th, 2008
AlzheimersNotes.com
Depression can overwhelm both caregivers and Alzheimer’s patients during the course of this illness. Often doctors will check to see whether depression is causing the forgetfulness and other symptoms typical of Alzheimer’s patients. Also, depression can cause symptoms to be more pronounced.
Caregivers also have to watch that they don’t become discouraged by the situation so should seek help when they feel they are falling into a “black hole” of depression. Those who have never cared for an Alzheimer’s patient, even your family members, may not understand the traumatic experience you’re going through. Find professionals or other caregivers who can help you get through this time in your life.
Also find those who can help you help the Alzheimer’s patient.
I don’t recall going through depression while caring for my aunt and mother. However, I often felt overwhelmed with all I had to do and often asked, “Why me?” (and my husband) when the caregiving was left to us.
What strategies have you used to keep from being overcome by discouragement and depression? How have you helped your Alzheimer’s family member or patient?
Share some ideas with us because I know there are caregivers who are reaching out for someone who understands so they can realize, “I’m not alone!“
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: Alzheimer's patients, Alzheimers, Alzheimers-disease, caregivers, Caregiving, depression, mental health, symptoms of depressionShare This
By Mary Emma Allen -- 2 comments
May 12th, 2008
Yes, it’s that time again.
Calling for submissions for the ‘all about Alzheimer’s’ carnival to be sent in by 17th May 2008.
Here’s all the rules and regulations…
- only one submission per blog thanks
- needs to be in by the 17th of Mayl
- post can be on anything and everything related to Alzheimer’s Disease.
You can send your submissions using our carnival submission form.
Meet you at the carnival…
Share This
By Liz Lewis -- 0 comments
May 11th, 2008
AlzheimersNotes.com
Happy Mother’s Day from us at Alzheimer’s Notes to all the moms, grandmothers, and those who play a mom role in someone’s life. I hope you had a lovely day.
I didn’t get a chance to write a lengthy Mother’s Day post because I was visiting a family member in the hospital. (Her continuing recovery has been a wonderful Mother’s Day gift for me.)
Tags: aunt, celebrations, grandmother, Happy Mother's Day, holidays, mom, mother, Mother's Day, Mother's Day celebrationsShare This
By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment
May 11th, 2008
Sports: Legendary coach, Frank Broyles, helped wife with Alzheimer’s battle - “Over the decades, the game changed, but one thing remained the same: The love always was there…” (more)
Boy, 2, Suffers From Rare Children’s Alzheimer’s Condition - “A 2-year-old boy in England suffers from a rare genetic disease sometimes referred to as Children’s Alzheimer’s disease…” (more)
Not your grandmother’s Alzheimer’s - “Carol Kirsch relished her demanding position as a sales trainer for Kaiser Permanente in Oakland. But a couple of years ago, a good friend told Kirsch she just wasn’t performing up to par. She was missing deadlines. And she’d forget meetings, so co-workers would have to come fetch her…” (more)
Share This
By Liz Lewis -- 0 comments
May 11th, 2008
Ibuprofen-packing pain meds could lower Alzheimer’s risk - “Over-the-counter pain relievers that contain ibuprofen could lower a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study…” (more)
Flavonoids May Help Treat Alzheimer’s -”Flavonoids, compounds found in many fruits and vegetables, may be able to battle the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests…” (more)
To Avoid Dementia, Watch Your Weight - “Older adults who maintain a healthy weight may be preserving their mind and memory at the same time…” (more)
Genetic Mapping More Hype Than Help? - “Julian Awad doesn’t look sick - and he isn’t … yet. But he has always worried that the Alzheimer’s Disease that brought down his grandfather and uncle might be lurking in his genes too…” (more)
Share This
By Liz Lewis -- 0 comments
May 10th, 2008
AlzheimersNotes.com
”Is all forgetfulness lumped under the term “Alzheimer’s?” a friend asked me today when talking about her mother-in-law who is beginning to be forgetful.We do seem to hear the term more and more, wheras a decade ago, Alzheimer’s was rather “hush hush,” and families didn’t like to admit a loved one was suffering from ths condition.
Her question set me thinking and I realized that I hear “Alzheimer’s” more frequently now than previously. Is this because:
- People are more willing to talk about Alzheimer’s than they once were.
- People are willing to admit a family member may have this illness.
- There may be more assistance if someone is formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.
- It’s easier for families to lump memory loss conditions under Alzheimer’s rather than trying to explain some other memory problem.
However, medically speaking, all forgetfulness isn’t Alzheimer’s. There are many causes for someone to experience memory loss.
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: , Alzheimers, Alzheimers-disease, forgetfulness, health, health concerns, memory-loss, men's health, women's healthShare This
By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments
May 9th, 2008
AlzheimersNotes.com
As I read Liz’s recent post, Sleep Disturbances in Alzheimer’s Patients & Their Caregivers, I recalled the lack of sleep when I cared for Mother. An uninterrupted night’s sleep was something I received little of. Mother lost track of day or night, cat napped during the day, so was awake or only napping at night. Her sleep patterns (or non-patterns), always erratic before Ahzheimer’s, became more so after she developed this disease.
“Mary, one of the most difficult things about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s is you never get a good night’s sleep,” a friend said, when she learned I was moving Mother to my home from hers in another state. Audrey had taken care of her father and found the sleeplessness most difficult.
So, be aware, if you find yourself an Alzheimer’s caregiver, sleeplessness may be in the cards for you. Lack of sleep can be a danger to your well being, especially if you have any health conditions that are intensified by tiredness.
Find ways to get a good night’s sleep by:
* Alternating caretaking with others
*Getting naps during the day
*Keeping the patient active during the day so (hopefully) he/she sleeps at night
*Checking with other caregivers and professionals for tips on getting adequate sleep and getting your patient to sleep for longer periods.
Fortunately my health was good, so sleeplessness didn’t bother me on that account. I learned to sleep lightly, as I had when my daughter was small. I learned to awake when I heard the slightest unusual noise and find that Mother and her cat were enjoying some nightly adveture.
How have you managed to get more sleep as an Alzheimer’s caregiver?
(c)2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: Alzheimer's caregiver, Alzheimers, alzheimers-caregiving, Alzheimers-disease, caregiver, caregiver health, Caregiving, danger, health, lack of sleep, sleep disorder, sleeplessness, warning, women's healthShare This
By Mary Emma Allen -- 1 comment
May 8th, 2008
AlzheimersNotes.com
With the warmer weather leading us into summer (at least in the Northern Hemisphere), Alzheimer’s patients and caregivers will be outside more. That generally means more exposure to the sun and the need for sunblock.
Scott Warthon, at b5’s Health and Men, has some great information about Understanding Sun Protection Factor or SPF . This helps us understand why and how the different levels of SPF work as they do. He also has posted a chart giving us information regarding which SPF to use with which skin type.
(Scott learned the hard way…he got a sunburn! See This is Why You Should Wear Sunblock)
(c) 2008 Mary Emma Allen
Tags: Alzheimer's health, Alzheimers, alzheimers-caregivers, b5media, caregivers, Caregiving, Health and Men, men's health tips, SPF, summer, sun, sunblock, sunburn, sunscreen, women's health tipsShare This
By Mary Emma Allen -- 0 comments
Recent Comments