Treatments for Dementia
Treatments for Dementia
The list of treatments mentioned in various sources
for Dementia
includes the following list.
Always seek professional medical advice about any treatment
or change in treatment plans.
Dementia: Is the Diagnosis Correct?
The first step in getting correct treatment is
to get a correct diagnosis.
Differential diagnosis list for Dementia may include:
Hidden causes of Dementia may be incorrectly diagnosed:
Dementia: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers
Products, offers and promotion categories available for Dementia:
Curable Types of Dementia
Possibly curable types of Dementia may include:
- Dementia due to hypothyroidism
- Dementia due to cardiovascular disease
- Dementia due to B1 deficiency
- more curable types...»
Dementia: Research Doctors & Specialists
- Neurology (Brain/CNS Specialists):
- Stroke & Vascular Specialists:
- Senior Health Specialists (Geriatrics):
- more specialists...»
Research all specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.
Drugs and Medications used to treat Dementia:
Note:You must always seek professional medical advice about any prescription drug, OTC drug, medication, treatment
or change in treatment plans.
Some of the different medications used in the treatment of Dementia include:
Unlabeled Drugs and Medications to treat Dementia:
Unlabelled alternative drug treatments for Dementia include:
- Amantadine
- Antadine
- Symadine
- Symmetrel
- Carbatrol
- Equetro
- Nu-Carbamazepine
- PMS-Carbamazepine
- Carbazep
- Carbazine
- Clostedal
- Neugeron
- Apo-Prochlorperazine
- Nu-Prochlorperazine
Latest treatments for Dementia:
The following are some of the latest treatments for Dementia:
Hospital statistics for Dementia:
These medical statistics relate to hospitals, hospitalization and Dementia:
- dementia accounted for 248,183 patient days in hospitals in Australia 2001-02 (AIHW Hospital Morbidity Database 2001-02, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
- dementia resulted in 6,586 hospitalisations in Australia 2001-02 (AIHW Hospital Morbidity Database 2001-02, Australia’s Health 2004, AIHW)
- 0.22% (28,116) of hospital episodes were for dementia in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 82% of hospital consultations for dementia required hospital admission in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- 41% of hospital episodes for dementia were for men in England 2002-03 (Hospital Episode Statistics, Department of Health, England, 2002-03)
- more hospital information...»
Hospitals & Medical Clinics: Dementia
Research quality ratings and patient incidents/safety measures
for hospitals and medical facilities in specialties related to Dementia:
Hospital & Clinic quality ratings » »
Choosing the Best Treatment Hospital:
More general information, not necessarily in relation to Dementia,
on hospital and medical facility performance and surgical care quality:
Medical news summaries about treatments for Dementia:
The following medical news items
are relevant to treatment of Dementia:
Discussion of treatments for Dementia:
DEMENTIA: NWHIC (Excerpt)
Treatment must be directed at the underlying cause(s) of the dementia.
So, the first step in management is to identify the contributing factors
responsible for the dementia syndrome. Then, each contributing factor can
be treated or managed. Initially, treatment usually includes a combination
of medications, behavioral strategies, and environmental interventions. In
the early stages of dementia family interventions and education are
foremost. As the disease progresses, treatment generally shifts to include
management of disruptive behaviors and can include drug and non-drug
interventions.
There are drugs available to enhance cognition in Alzheimer's disease,
to reduce stroke risk in-patients with vascular dementia, and to treat
depression in-patients (often part of a dementia syndrome.) The few drugs
available have limited efficacy, but more drugs are in development. Drug
therapies are almost universally required at some point in the progression
of a dementia syndrome, however, for the management of the many side
effects and neurophsychiatric problems that arise in these patients (e.g.,
depression, anxiety attacks, psychosis, agitation, etc.). Psychotherapy
and counseling may be important not only for the patient, but also for the
family and other caregivers. Placement for temporary respite care or
permanent institutional care may be required, although the majority of
patients may be managed at home with appropriate in-home support. There is
even surgical treatment available for the rare patients who have a
surgically remediable cause of dementia, such as normal pressure
hydrocephalus or chronic subdural hematomas. (Source: excerpt from DEMENTIA: NWHIC)
Forgetfulness It's Not Always What You Think - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)
Even if the doctor diagnoses an irreversible form of dementia,
much still can be done to treat the patient and help the family
cope. A person with dementia should be under a doctor's care, and
may see a neurologist, psychiatrist, family doctor, internist, or
geriatrician. The doctor can treat the patient's physical and
behavioral problems and answer the many questions that the person or
family may have. (Source: excerpt from Forgetfulness It's Not Always What You Think - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Forgetfulness It's Not Always What You Think - Age Page - Health Information: NIA (Excerpt)
Many people with dementia need no medication for behavioral
problems. But for some people, doctors may prescribe medications to
reduce agitation, anxiety, depression, or sleeping problems. These
troublesome behaviors are common in people with dementia. Careful
use of doctor-prescribed drugs may make some people with dementia
more comfortable and make caring for them easier.
A healthy diet is important. Although no special diets or
nutritional supplements have been found to prevent or reverse
Alzheimer's disease or multi-infarct dementia, a balanced diet helps
maintain overall good health. In cases of multi-infarct dementia,
improving the diet may play a role in preventing more strokes. (Source: excerpt from Forgetfulness It's Not Always What You Think - Age Page - Health Information: NIA)
Buy Products Related to Treatments for Dementia
Book Excerpts: Treatment of Dementia
Treatments of Dementia: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the treatments of Dementia.
Amnesia:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Immediate attention to airway, breathing, and circulation
-
Prompt treatment of suspected infections and trauma
–CNS infections: Antibiotic and/or antiviral therapy
–Head trauma: Surgical intervention may be necessary to
evacuate space-occupying traumatic lesions; concussions are treated symptomatically, and patients should refrain from contact sports until symptoms resolve; control elevated intracranial pressure with head elevation, moderate hyperventilation, mannitol administration, and/or surgical drainage
-
Alzheimer's disease: Anticholinesterase medications (e.g., tacrine, donepezil) may improve cognitive function
-
Seizure disorders: Anticonvulsant agents (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproate)
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Delirium:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Delirium is usually reversible with correction of the underlying cause
–Discontinue possible contributing medications
–Treat infection if present
–Correct metabolic or electrolyte abnormalities
-
Pharmacologic therapy
–Antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol) for hallucinations, delusions, or illusions
–Benzodiazepines (e.g., lorazepam) for anxiety, agitation, insomnia, or alcohol withdrawal
-
Environmental supports (e.g., calendars, direction signs) to help with orientation
-
Psychosocial support
-
Physical restraints paradoxically increase patient agitation; thus, other alternatives (e.g., safe environment, door alarms) should be used initially
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Hallucinations:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Treat hallucinations symptomatically with antipsychotic drugs (e.g., haloperidol, risperidone, olanzapine)
-
Delirium: Treat underlying cause (e.g., hydration, proper nutrition, oxygen, thiamine, and glucose)
-
Alcohol/sedative withdrawal: Monitor and treat for seizures with benzodiazepines
- Schizophrenia: Traditional antipsychotics (e.g., haloperidol, chlorpromazine)
–Extrapyramidal side effects (parkinsonism, akathisia, dystonia) are common
–Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (hyperthermia, rigidity, hypertension, tachycardia) may rarely occur in first week of treatment and can be fatal
–Clozapine carries a 1% risk of fatal agranulocytosis
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Dementia:
Treatment
(In a Page: Signs and Symptoms)
-
Treat reversible causes (e.g., hypothyroidism, vitamin deficiency, cerebral vasculitis, neurosyphilis, HIV)
-
Manage nonreversible etiologies, including genetic risks, health care planning, and help groups (e.g., Alzheimer's Association)
-
Alzheimer's disease: Anticholinesterases (e.g., tacrine, donepezil) may improve cognitive function; selegiline and α
-
-tocopherol may delay progression
-
Vascular dementia: Treat risk factors (e.g., discontinue tobacco use, lower blood pressure and lipids)
–Note that lost cognitive function will not return despite treatment
Parkinson's disease: Dopamine and dopamine agonists; anticholinergics improve function but do not affect progression of disease; selegiline may slow disease progression
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In a Page: Signs and Symptoms, 2004
Delirium:
Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Correction of any metabolic derangements, including alterations of glucose and sodium
-
Drug ingestion
–Discuss with poison control center
-
Infectious causes
–Use of appropriate antibiotics based on likely
organisms
-
Psychological disturbance
–Antipsychotics if appropriate
-
Heat stroke
–Aggressive rehydration
-
Hepatic failure
–Supportive therapy
–Lactulose may help to improve mental state/cognition
-
Hartnup
–Supplemental nicotinamide
-
Pellagra
–Supplemental niacin
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Hallucinations:
Treatment
(In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms)
-
Hallucinogens and other drugs of abuse
–May require intensive outpatient or inpatient management for successful cessation
–Cessation of the drug usually results in cessation of hallucination; however, for some hallucinogens such as LSD, flashbacks may occur for years
-
CNS insults generally require neurologic and multisystem intensive care
-
Schizophrenia is generally treated with antipsychotics; compliance is frequently problematic
-
Narcolepsy is treated with daytime stimulants and nighttime sleep aids or tricyclic antidepressants
-
Medications: Discontinue the causative drug
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Level of consciousness, decreased:
Emergency interventions
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
After evaluating the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation, use the Glasgow Coma Scale to quickly determine his LOC and to obtain baseline data. (See Glasgow Coma Scale.) If the patient’s score is 13 or less, emergency surgery may be necessary. Insert an artificial airway, elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees and, if spinal cord injury has been ruled out, turn the patient’s head to the side. Prepare to suction the patient if necessary. You may need to hyperventilate him to reduce carbon dioxide levels and decrease intracranial pressure (ICP). Then determine the rate, rhythm, and depth of spontaneous respirations. Support his breathing with a handheld resuscitation bag, if necessary. If the patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale score is 7 or less, intubation and resuscitation may be necessary.
Continue to monitor the patient’s vital signs, being alert for signs of increasing ICP, such as bradycardia and a widening pulse pressure. When his airway, breathing, and circulation are stabilized, perform a neurologic examination.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Dissociative amnesia:
Treatment
(Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition))
Psychotherapy aims to help the patient recognize the traumatic event that triggered the amnesia and the anxiety it produced. A trusting, therapeutic relationship is essential to achieving this goal. The therapist subsequently attempts to teach the patient reality-based coping strategies.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Diseases (Eighth Edition), 2005
Level of consciousness, decreased:
Emergency Interventions
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
After evaluating the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation, use the Glasgow Coma Scale to quickly determine his LOC and to obtain baseline data. (See Using the Glasgow Coma Scale, page 480.) If the patient’s score is 13 or less, emergency surgery may be necessary. Insert an artificial airway, elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees and, if spinal cord injury has been ruled out, turn the patient’s head to the side. Prepare to suction the patient if necessary. You may need to hyperventilate him to reduce carbon dioxide levels and decrease intracranial pressure (ICP). Then determine the rate, rhythm, and depth of spontaneous respirations. Support his breathing with a handheld resuscitation bag, if necessary. If the patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale score is 7 or less, intubation and resuscitation may be necessary.
Continue to monitor the patient’s vital signs, being alert for signs of increasing ICP, such as bradycardia and widening pulse pressure. When his airway, breathing, and circulation are stabilized, perform a neurologic examination.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Apraxia:
Nursing considerations
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
Prepare the patient for diagnostic studies, which may include computed tomography and radionuclide brain scans. Because weakness, sensory deficits, confusion, and seizures may accompany apraxia, take measures to ensure the patient’s safety. For example, assist him with gait apraxia in walking.
Patient teaching
Explain the disorder to the patient. Encourage him to participate in his normal activities as tolerated. Help him overcome frustration arising from the inability to perform routine tasks by breaking each task down into separate steps, demonstrating these steps, and having the patient repeat the actions you demonstrated as taught by the physical and occupational therapists. Allow him sufficient time to perform each step. Avoid giving complex directions. Encourage family members to assist in the patient’s rehabilitation.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series, 2007
Level of consciousness, decreased:
Nursing considerations
(Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series)
Reassess the patient’s LOC and neurologic status at least hourly. Carefully monitor ICP and intake and output. Ensure airway patency and proper nutrition. Take precautions to help ensure the patient’s safety. Keep him on bed rest with the side rails up and maintain seizure precautions. Keep emergency resuscitation equipment at the patient’s bedside. Prepare the patient for a computed tomography scan of the head, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, EEG, and lumbar puncture. Maintain an elevation of the head of the bed to at least 30 degrees. Don’t administer an opioid or sedative because either may further decrease the patient’s LOC and hinder an accurate, meaningful neurologic examination. Apply restraints only if necessary because their use may increase his agitation and confusion. Talk to the patient even if he appears comatose; your voice may help reorient him to reality.
Patient teaching
Explain the treatments and procedures the patient needs. Teach safety and seizure precautions. Provide referrals to sources of support. Discuss quality of life issues with the patient and his family, as indicated.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series, 2007
Apraxia:
Emergency Actions
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
During your assessment, be alert for signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, such as headache and vomiting. If you detect any, elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees and monitor the patient closely for altered pupil size and reactivity, bradycardia, widened pulse pressure, and irregular respirations. Have emergency resuscitation equipment nearby, and be prepared to give mannitol I.V. to decrease cerebral edema.
If the patient is experiencing seizures, stay with him and have another nurse notify the physician immediately. Avoid restraining the patient. Help him to a lying position, loosen tight clothing, and place a pillow or other soft object beneath his head. If the patient’s teeth are clenched, don’t force anything into his mouth. If his mouth is open, protect the tongue by placing a soft object, such as a washcloth, between his teeth. Turn the patient’s head to provide an open airway.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Confusion:
Patient counseling
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
To help the patient stay oriented, keep a large calendar and a clock visible, and make a list of his activities with specific dates and times. Always reintroduce yourself to the patient each time you enter his room.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Level of consciousness, decreased:
Emergency Actions
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
After evaluating the patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation, use the Glasgow Coma Scale to quickly determine his LOC and to obtain baseline data. (See Glasgow Coma Scale.) Insert an artificial airway, elevate the head of the bed 30 degrees and, if spinal cord injury has been ruled out, turn the patient’s head to the side. Prepare to suction the patient, if necessary. You may need to hyperventilate him to reduce carbon dioxide levels and decrease intracranial pressure (ICP). Then determine the rate, rhythm, and depth of spontaneous respirations. Support his breathing with a handheld resuscitation bag if necessary. If the patient’s Glasgow Coma Scale score is 7 or lower, intubation and resuscitation may be necessary. Continue to monitor the patient’s vital signs, being alert for signs of increasing ICP, such as bradycardia and widening pulse pressure. When his airway, breathing, and circulation are stabilized, perform a neurologic examination.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Amnesia:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Prepare the patient for diagnostic tests, such as computed tomography scan, magnetic resonance imaging, EEG, or cerebral angiography.
▪ Provide reality orientation for the patient with retrograde amnesia, and encourage his family to help by supplying familiar photos, objects, and music.
▪ If the patient has severe amnesia, consider basic needs, such as safety, elimination, and nutrition. If necessary, arrange for placement in an extended-care facility.
Patient teaching
▪ Adjust your patient-teaching techniques for the patient with anterograde amnesia because he can't acquire new information.
▪ Include his family in teaching sessions. In addition, write down all instructions—particularly medication dosages and schedules—so the patient won't have to rely on his memory.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Confusion:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Never leave a confused patient unattended, to prevent injury to himself and others.
▪ Take measures to ensure patient safety.
▪ Keep the patient calm and quiet, and plan uninterrupted rest periods.
▪ Correct the underlying cause of the patient's confusion.
Patient teaching
▪ To help the patient stay oriented, keep a large calendar and a clock visible, and make a list of his activities with specific dates and times.
▪ Always reintroduce yourself to the patient each time you enter his room.
▪ If possible, explain to the patient and his family the cause of his confusion.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Level of consciousness, decreased:
Nursing considerations
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
▪ Reassess the patient's LOC and neurologic status at least hourly.
▪ Carefully monitor ICP and intake and output.
▪ Ensure airway patency and proper nutrition.
▪ Keep the patient on bed rest and maintain seizure precautions.
▪ Keep emergency resuscitation equipment at the patient's bedside.
▪ Prepare the patient for a computed tomography scan of the head, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, EEG, and lumbar puncture.
▪ Elevate the head of the bed to at least 30 degrees.
▪ Don't administer an opioid or sedative because either may further decrease the patient's LOC and hinder an accurate, meaningful neurologic examination.
▪ Talk to the patient even if he appears comatose; your voice may help reorient him to reality.
Patient teaching
▪ Explain the underlying cause of decreased LOC and its treatments and procedures to the patient and his family.
▪ Teach them about safety and seizure precautions.
▪ Provide referrals to sources of support.
▪ Discuss quality of life issues, if appropriate.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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