Medications For Dementia Can Help Significantly
Receiving a dementia diagnosis or being close to someone living with dementia can be a challenging, life-altering experience, particularly because it is generally progressive. However, medications and non-drug strategies can help manage dementia symptoms. Getting the proper treatments and working together with your doctor or other health care professional may enable you to manage physical and cognitive symptoms as effectively as possible.
What is dementia?
Dementia is a term used to describe a group of medical conditions that can impact memory and other cognitive abilities to an extent that’s severe enough to interfere with daily life. Individuals living with mild dementia or experiencing early stages of the disease may struggle with memory and thinking but are usually able to continue living on their own. Cases of severe dementia, particularly among older adults, may require intensive care to support significant mental decline and limited physical capabilities. No matter what type of dementia a person is living with, it is typical for dementia-related behaviors (forgetfulness, mood changes, confusion, difficulty concentrating) to worsen over time.
Alzheimer's disease
The most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which can account for around 60% to 80% of all diagnosed cases. Also common can be vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and other conditions, like Huntington’s disease. It can also be possible to experience what’s typically known as mixed dementia, which can occur when a person experiences the changes associated with multiple types of dementia at once.
Other diseases
Other diseases that can cause symptoms of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Parkinson’s disease dementia. Dementia is caused by various diseases that damage brain cells and impede their ability to communicate with each other, affecting the way a person thinks, feels, and behaves. Dementia most commonly presents in older patients, and the most common risk factors for the disease (age and genetics) cannot be changed.
Medications to manage symptoms
Please note that the following information does not constitute medical advice and is only intended for general educational purposes. Always consult a licensed medical professional about starting, stopping, or changing any form of medication to discuss benefits, dosage, and potential side effects.
Medications approved for dementia patients typically include memantine, cholinesterase inhibitors, depression medications, anxiety medications, sleeping aids, and more. The right combination of medications generally depends on a person’s diagnosis, symptoms, and health needs.
Memantine can manage the glutamate in your brain. Glutamate is a chemical that is usually involved in several key brain functions, such as learning and memory. Taking memantine has the potential to improve a patient's cognitive abilities in the short term. Even if it isn't necessarily a long-term solution, it can be a promising medication that may help millions of people around the world.
It can also be very common for people to develop mental health disorders like depression and anxiety when living with dementia. This may stem from physical changes to the brain, the emotional weight that may accompany a diagnosis, or both. Doctors may prescribe anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications to help patients manage symptoms. In rare instances, health professionals may prescribe a low dose of antipsychotic drugs to manage symptoms of agitation or aggression.
Treating different types
Vascular dementia is often treated differently than other types of dementia. Vascular dementia typically occurs after a patient has experienced a stroke. This form of dementia can also be brought about due to extremely high blood pressure, unchecked thyroid problems, high cholesterol, issues with blood sugar, and vitamin deficiencies.
Treatment for vascular dementia may involve prescribing high blood pressure medications, cholesterol medications, vitamins, diabetes medications, and more. To treat vascular dementia, you will likely need to eliminate or improve the conditions that may have contributed to it in the first place.
Therapy can help alongside medication
While medications are often used to help those living with dementia limit the severity of their symptoms, they often are not enough to completely support a person through treatment and long-term care. In addition to medication, certain therapies may be used to treat dementia or provide support to those living with it. These therapies may not be capable of changing what is happening to a patient in a medical sense, but they may provide important resources, build skills, and take steps to prolong a person’s cognitive functioning for as long as possible.
Music therapy, art therapy, and similar treatment options can help some dementia patients stimulate their minds while also pursuing therapeutic goals like expressing emotions and solving problems. Traditional “talk therapy” may also be used to give patients a space to discuss their experiences, learn how to navigate challenges, and more.
In terms of combatting symptoms head-on, cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is perhaps one of the best options to pursue. Research even suggests that cognitive stimulation therapy may improve quality of life for those diagnosed with dementia. However, cognitive function does not have to tie to how a person experiences life. Other factors, like lower levels of depression and more independence, can also help. Therapy options of all sorts can help a person achieve these goals, too.
Online therapy as part of your treatment plan
One reachable way to get treatment options that work for your needs and goals may be through online therapy. You generally don't have to leave the comfort of your home to join sessions, which can be especially useful for those whose mobility or ability to travel independently is limited. Plus, being able to connect with providers who specialize in various areas may make it easier to find someone who fits your needs and preferences.
Online therapy can provide effective care to those living with dementia and their loved ones. For instance, a 2023 study investigating the efficacy of internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy found that it could treat depression symptoms in people living with chronic conditions like dementia.
Takeaway
Three drugs commonly prescribed for dementia are:
- Memantine. Memantine can help manage glutamate in your brain. Glutamate is a chemical that is involved in a variety of brain functions, like memory and learning. Memantine can potentially improve a patient’s cognitive abilities in the short term.
- Cholinesterase inhibitors. A cholinesterase inhibitor can boost certain chemicals in the brain and may improve memory.
- Other drugs. People with dementia may develop other mental health disorders, like anxiety or depression. These conditions can stem from the emotional weight of a dementia diagnosis or physical changes to the brain. Doctors may prescribe an anti-anxiety medication or antidepressant to help people with dementia manage these symptoms. They may also prescribe an atypical antipsychotic medication to manage symptoms like aggression and psychosis.
The best drug for dementia is the one that works best for the person taking it. Everyone responds to drugs differently, so it can be hard to determine which is the best overall. If you have questions about dementia medication, talk to your doctor.
There are two types of drugs used to reduce dementia. Memantine can help manage glutamate in your brain, a chemical involved in various brain functions like memory and learning. The second type of medication is cholinesterase inhibitors, which can boost certain chemicals in the brain and may improve memory.
Many people with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer's disease may still live on their own, though this will likely change as their cognitive decline increases or their disease progresses to moderate Alzheimer's disease or severe Alzheimer's disease. There are some ways the National Institute on Aging has many tips for managing early-stage dementia.
- Make everyday tasks easier to cope with memory changes. For example, create to-do lists and check things off as you get them done during the day, or get a digital clock that displays the time, day of the week, and date to help remind yourself of the date and stay oriented.
- Set up automatic payments for bills so you don’t have to worry about paying anything late.
- Set up routine scheduled food deliveries of food and meals that are simple to prepare.
- Use a weekly pill box with built-in notifications to know when to take your medication.
- Remove unused furniture and clutter from your home, and remove anything you might trip over.
- Install automotive shut-off switches on the stove or consider using only a microwave to cook food to lessen the risk of fires.
- Ensure all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are installed in your home work.
- Add anti-skid mats to the tub or shower. Keep nightlights in the hallway and bathroom, or keep a flashlight next to your bed to help with nighttime bathroom trips.
- Get a medical alert bracelet or necklace with your allergies, special medical needs, and emergency contact if you get lost.
What are three treatments for dementia?
There are three types of drugs that are commonly used to treat dementia. Memantine can help manage glutamate in the brain. This chemical is involved in a range of brain functions and can improve cognitive abilities in the short term. Cholinesterase inhibitors can boost some chemicals in the brain and may help improve memory. Dementia may be accompanied by other mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety, so doctors may also prescribe antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs.
What is the best drug to improve memory?
Memantine and cholinesterase inhibitors may be the most effective for treating dementia and memory loss in the short term.
There are a few new Alzheimer’s drugs that have been developed recently, namely donanemab, lecanemab, and aducanumab. The “mab” in these names stands for monoclonal antibodies. How is Alzheimer's disease treated with these drugs? Clinical trials have shown that these drugs may be effective at improving amyloid related imaging abnormalities. They work by attaching to the amyloid plaques that appear in the brains of people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s and signaling the immune system to get rid of them.
It can be challenging to calm down someone with even moderate dementia or moderate to severe Alzheimer's but try to stay calm. Staying calm may encourage the other person to mirror your behavior. Focus on their emotions and listen to what they’re saying. Try to work within their sense of reality.
Medications may not be able to prevent damage to nerve cells and the resulting memory loss in people with dementia, but they may be able to slow down psychological symptoms. Some research shows that cognitive and physical exercise can delay the onset of Alzheimer’s, but it may not improve memory symptoms once they begin.
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