Main Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s Disease

The late awareness of the Alzheimer’s disease’s early stage symptoms can lead to worse condition more quickly. Therefore, although there is no cure for the disease, it is advisable to get medication as fast as possible when the symptoms appear. Early medication is able to help reduce the symptoms temporarily or slow its progression.

Here are the main treatments available for Alzheimer’s disease:

  1. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) Inhibitors

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors medicine is used to escalate the levels of acetylcholine in the brain. Acetylcholine is a substance that works to ease communication between nerve cells. You can get prescription of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors from neurologists or psychiatrists only.

The example of Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) medicines are rivastigmine, donepezil and galantamine. These medicines are given to people who are in the mild to Alzheimer’s disease. In some condition, these medicines also prescribed by specialists for severe stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Some people may experience side effects from consuming this medicine. Common side effects are vomiting, nausea or loss of appetite. If the side effects don’t get better in 2 weeks, you should consult with the specialists.

  1. Memantine

Memantine is used to block the effect of glutamate in the brain cells, which can moderate the severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Glutamate is chemical substance that has so many receptors in the brain cell. The excessive amount of glutamate can increase the activity of receptors in the brain cells which lead to fatality of brain cells.

cognitive decline worsens with memantine
cognitive decline worsens with memantine

Memantine is prescribed for people who cannot tolerate AChE inhibitors. Sometimes, specialists also prescribed memantine for Alzheimer’s disease patients who have severe symptoms and already take AChE inhibitors. In several cases, memantine can cause temporary side effects such as constipation, headaches and dizziness.

  1. Medications for Challenging Behavior

Many Alzheimer’s disease patients develop the condition which is known as BPSD (behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia). People with BPSD show symptoms such as anxiety, aggression, increased agitation, delusions, wandering and hallucinations. These challenging behaviors are very distressing for the patients and their care takers.

In order to treat BPSD, psychiatrists may prescribe medicine such as haloperidol, risperidone, or antipsychotic medicines. These medications are prescribed for people who show extreme distress and persistent aggression. Since risperidone can cause harm and serious side effects, it only prescribes with the lowest dose possible.

If anxiety is caused by depression, specialists may prescribe antidepressants. In certain condition where other treatments don’t help, haloperidol is prescribed by consultant psychiatrist.

  1. Therapies

The usage of medicines, treatments such as therapies can also be given to help reduce the symptoms. Cognitive stimulation therapy and cognitive rehabilitation are several type of therapies that are given to help people with Alzheimer’s disease in improving memory and cognitive abilities.

To help people with Alzheimer’s disease remember their past life, reminiscence and life story work therapy can be given by trained professional and care taker. This therapy involves activities of talking or seeing things that can help people remember their life. It involves compilation of photos, notes or music collections. Research shows that this activity can help in improving mood.

It is Possible to Keep Wild Cats as Your Pets in Your House
Alister the Cat Jacob (Our Sweet Poodle) Our Alzheimer's Journey The House We Sold

It is Possible to Keep Wild Cats as Your Pets in Your House

Is it possible to keep wild cats as pets in our house?

You will be able to answer this question after getting to know about a cat breed named Serval Cat. The Serval, or which has the Latin name Leptailurus serval, is a native wild cat from Africa. The main habitat of this cat is in savanna, but some of them are often seen in the mountains.

When you see this cat, you will think that it is a leopard. This is because the color of the fur which is golden and the fur pattern is very similar to a leopard. But of course the size is different. Serval cats have a body of medium size, it is very different from leopards. This breed of cat has a leg length of 60-92cm, a size that is very suitable for the size of the feet of a predatory cat. This is also due to the metatarsus bone located in their legs. Female serval cats have a weight that tends to be lighter than the males, namely 7-12 kg while male serval cats weigh 9-18 kg. The unique thing about this cat is that it can move its ears 180 degrees separately.

It is Possible to Keep Wild Cats as Your Pets in Your House
It is Possible to Keep Wild Cats as Your Pets in Your House

Like other cats in general

Serval cats also have several striking characteristics. As a wild cat, of course, this cat is very active and has unpredictable behavior. With these characteristics, you have to be prepared with some of the needs they require if you really want to keep this cat as pets in your house. First, you have to buy this cat with an expensive price, because you have to adopt this cat directly from Africa. Second, when you have succeeded in bringing the cat to your house, you must provide a cage.

The cage for serval is not the same as the cage used for other cats in general. As has been said before, as a wild cat, of course this cat’s wild instinct is still attached to it, they will  run and climb anything near them for sure. The solution to this matter is that you need to provide a cage that resembles its natural habitat. A good cage for a Serval cat should have grass, trees, a water source or a pond. This will be useful so that the Serval cat feels that their cage is their natural habitat. It is not advisable to lock a Serval cat indoors as this will limit its movement space. You also need to be careful with your household furniture because at any time the strong fangs and claws of this cat will damage your home furniture. Prepare a special budget from dadu online to provide the best food for this cat.

It is Possible to Keep Wild Cats as Your Pets in Your House
It is Possible to Keep Wild Cats as Your Pets in Your House

Different from domestic cats that you can feed canned cat food, Serval cats need raw food such as duck, chicken, or fish as their meal. You will have to give this raw food 2 times a day.

Munchkin Cat: The Tiny and Friendly Cats as Your Pets
Alister the Cat Jacob (Our Sweet Poodle) Our Alzheimer's Journey The House We Sold

Munchkin Cat: The Tiny and Friendly Cats as Your Pets

Most people do not know what benefits we can get if we have pets at our house. The existence of a pet will increase your affection. It will give more benefits for couples who already have children, keeping pets will make your children to pay more attention to their surroundings. The most common pets that you can keep in your house are cats. It seems that almost everyone in this world has had a cat at least once in their lifetime. The type of cat that is kept as pets will certainly be different, but of course you have heard of Munchkin Cat before. Munchkin cat is one of the cats that is widely used as a pet.

Munchkin Cat: The Tiny and Friendly Cats as Your Pets
Munchkin Cat: The Tiny and Friendly Cats as Your Pets

Just by the name

we all know that Munchkin cat is a unique cat breed. The uniqueness of this cat lies in its short posture, this is because the size of this cat’s legs is much smaller than other cats in general. Often, these cats are called midget cats. Many people also call them kittens because of their small size.

The cute and tiny body of a Munchkin cat makes this cat to be one of the high demand cats on the market. Even though they are small and have short legs, cats are still cats. The munchkin cat is a playful cat. With a body weight that can reach 3 to 4 kg, they can still jump, run, or even climb. Their foot size doesn’t matter. If you want your munchkin cat to be a smart cat, you can train it. This breed of cat is very easy to train and also easy to get along with.

Regarding the short legs of the Munchkin cat, this condition occurs naturally through a genetic mutase. This gene makes the Munchkin cat’s hind legs slightly longer than its front legs. This also happens to corgis and dachshunds. There was some controversy surrounding the Munchkin cat’s legs, which made his body look bent. Many people say this will give the Munchkin cat problems with its spine. But then, this is refuted because in fact this cat does not have physical health problems. Munchkin cats still live their lives normally.

Munchkin Cat: The Tiny and Friendly Cats as Your Pets
Munchkin Cat: The Tiny and Friendly Cats as Your Pets

Know that when we decide to get a cat

we must also be ready to take care of it. For munchkin cats, the care needed is actually not much different from other cat care methods. The most crucial thing in caring for a cat is the choice of food. We really need to pay attention to the nutrition of the cat food. Munchkin cats require 20% carbohydrates, 45% protein and 35% fat which you can get in special cat food. Meanwhile, for the care of its hair, you can bathe your cat every 2 weeks using a special shampoo. It is also useful for your cat to avoid skin diseases and fleas. You can also take your cat to the pet shop for better care by doing grooming. If you have done some of the above things well, then you will have a healthy cat. Don’t forget to always monitor your cat’s health.

Its Not A Cat with A Skin Condition, Its A Sphynx Cat!
Alister the Cat Jacob (Our Sweet Poodle) Our Alzheimer's Journey The House We Sold

Its Not A Cat with A Skin Condition, Its A Sphynx Cat!

Have you ever seen a cat that has no hair? Its wrinkled skin is clearly exposed? If you’ve ever seen one, it’s a sphynx cat! You will think the cat is having a skin disease or something like that, but in reality, it is not, the Sphynx cat is a breed of cat whose fur doesn’t grow at all. Actually, there are thin hairs that grow on the cat’s body, but the amount of the fur is very rare. If you observe, the sphynx cat’s body parts such as the legs, tail, and ears will be overgrown with these thin hairs.

With its hairless body condition, Sphynx cats have an oily skin type. The skin color is also different from one cat to the other, some are pink, brown or even gray. The oil contained in the skin is what causes this cat better be bathed frequently. Normally, cats are bathed once a month, but sphynx cats should be bathed every one to three weeks to keep their bodies clean.

Its Not A Cat with A Skin Condition, Its A Sphynx Cat!
Its Not A Cat with A Skin Condition, Its A Sphynx Cat!

Hearing the name Sphynx

you will think this cat came from Egypt. But you guess it wrong. Sphynx cat comes from Canada, although its name is taken from the Sphynx statue that we can find in Egypt. The sphynx cat’s skin, which is very rarely covered in hair, is the result of genetic condition. It started when a pair of short-haired cats gave birth to their furless cubs. Initially, the kitten was classified as having a genetic disorder and its breeding was stopped. But the birth of kittens with the same condition happened again.

The uniqueness of the Sphynx cat lies not only in its hairless skin, but it is also evident in the cat’s face and the ear shape. This cat’s face looks grim. While the shape of the ears is wide and longer than other cats in general. Additionally, the Sphynx cat has wide eyes. Even though their face has an expression that always shows their pride, a lot of cat lovers keep this cat as pets in their house.

Its Not A Cat with A Skin Condition, Its A Sphynx Cat!
Its Not A Cat with A Skin Condition, Its A Sphynx Cat!

The Sphynx cat is one of those friendly and attention-seeking cats. This trait makes it very easy to get along with humans and other animals. In fact, if you have a dog, you can also keep a sphynx cat at the same time. This cat will also actively play, so it is perfect for those of you who are looking for a reference for what pet you should have.

However

when you decide to have a sphynx cat, then you have to be prepared for its clingy nature. This cat really can’t be left alone at home. If you are going to be traveling for a long time and it is not possible to bring your sphynx with you, then you should leave it in a pet shop so that your Sphynx cat has friends. You can have a healthy Sphynx cat if you take care of it properly.

7 Brain Healthy Foods that Help You Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Alister the Cat Jacob (Our Sweet Poodle) Our Alzheimer's Journey The House We Sold

7 Brain Healthy Foods that Help You Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the neurological diseases that has no cure until now. Alzheimer’s disease is a disease that makes people experiencing loss of memory, behavioral changes and cognitive decline. Many people don’t aware of the early stage symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease as they seem like common memory issues in everyday lives.

There is a growing evidence that food also plays a role in developing or preventing many illness. The study shows that good food is able to prevent not only heart problems, but also brain damage.

The research published in the journal of Alzheimer’s and Dementia shows that elderly people with ages between 58 to 98 who consume MIND diet had a 7.5 years younger functions of cognitive level.

7 Brain Healthy Foods that Help You Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
7 Brain Healthy Foods that Help You Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Brain Healthy Foods to Lower the Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease

  1. Berries

Studies have found that blueberries have the ability to protect the brain functions. Meanwhile, other type of berries fruit such as strawberries also shown possible great benefits to increase cognitive function. The MIND diet plans recommend people to serve berries at least two times a week.

  1. Nuts

Nuts are not only good for heart health but also for brain health. MIND diet research recommends people to regularly consume nuts which contain fiber, antioxidants and healthy fats. These substances are able to help people with high bad cholesterol to decrease the level and thus help in lowering the risk of heart disease.

It is advisable to consume nuts five times a week. Nuts can become your healthy brain snacks.

  1. Green Leafy Vegetables

Green leafy vegetables are very well – known for their high vitamins and healthy nutrients. Spinach, collards, kale, and broccoli are some of the green leafy vegetables that contain high level of vitamins, mineral and other healthy nutrients. Studies have found that consuming at least 6 servings a week can provide high benefits for brain.

7 Brain Healthy Foods that Help You Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
7 Brain Healthy Foods that Help You Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
  1. Every Vegetables

It is very recommended to consume other type of vegetables not only green leafy vegetables. Eating vegetable regularly is able to decrease the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The MIND diet plans suggest you to consume one vegetable or a salad every day.

  1. Fish

Brain function can be protected by consuming sufficient amount of fish at least once a week. This is recommended by MIND diet, but if you want to follow Mediterranean diet, then you have to consume fish almost every day in a week.

  1. Beans

Beans are healthy food that become part of MIND diet since they can help maintaining your mind sharp. Beans are rich in protein and fiber but have low level of fat and calories. It is very advisable to consume beans as your regular diet at least three times per week. Consuming sufficient amount of beans regularly can help reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

  1. Olive Oil

Maybe it is now the right time for you to change your cooking oil into olive oil. Olive oil is rich of good nutrients that can protect brain cells from damage.

Things You Should Know to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Alister the Cat Jacob (Our Sweet Poodle) Our Alzheimer's Journey The House We Sold

Things You Should Know to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease

Until now, researchers are still not sure about factor that causes Alzheimer’s disease. Age and family history are only several factors that known related to the increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Although the exact factor that triggers Alzheimer’s disease is still unknown, it is better for you to know ways to prevent Alzheimer’s disease from the early age.

Things You Should Know to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Things You Should Know to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
  1. Do Exercise Regularly

Research has found evidence that doing exercise regularly is able to reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Therefore, it is advisable to do physical exercise for about 30 minutes a day. If this recommendation is too difficult for you, just pick aerobic exercise that you can do for at least three to four day in a week.

Doing regular exercise is good not only for people who have not developed any symptoms toward Alzheimer’s disease, but also for those who have shown any symptoms. Being physically active also can make people socially active since most of the physical exercises have to be done outside. Thus, you can maintain an active social life when you go outside.

  1. Eat Healthy and Good Food

Eat healthy and good food is good not only for your heart, but also for your brain. Eating a healthy diet can help you prevent many degenerative illness. Now, it looks like that getting a good food is also able to prevent Alzheimer’s disease as well as reduce the symptoms for those who have developed the disease.

The evidence has shown that eating a good and natural food is able to reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease for about a third. The probability of lowering Alzheimer’s disease risk is higher for those who follow MIND diet strictly.

Things You Should Know to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
Things You Should Know to Prevent Alzheimer’s Disease
  1. Healthy Lifestyle to Prevent Cardiovascular Disease

The recent evidence has shown strong correlation between an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease for people who have cardiovascular disease. Therefore, it is very important for you to have healthy lifestyle which can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease as it will also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Here  are some healthy lifestyles that contribute to decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease:

  • Stop smoking and drinking alcohol
  • Consuming balanced and healthy diet that includes five portions of vegetables and fruit
  • Do physical exercise at least 150 minutes every week that include aerobic activity
  • Control your blood pressure by taking health test regularly.
  1. Learn New Things

Although there is still not enough evidence about the correlation between learning new things with lowering the risk of dementia, but research has found that this activity is very beneficial to train your brain to think.

  1. Get Good Sleep

Good sleep talks about the quantity and the quality of your sleep. The evidence has shown that getting good quality and enough sleep is able to help people prevent Alzheimer’s disease. Otherwise, people who have good sleep have more amyloid clearance from their brain cells.

The Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alister the Cat Jacob (Our Sweet Poodle) Our Alzheimer's Journey The House We Sold

The Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease has affected many people around the world, but scientists are not yet understanding the causal factors of this disease. Recently, we only know that the abnormal condition in the brain cells, called as amyloid and tau which are deposited around and within brain cells, leads to Alzheimer’s symptoms.

The Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease
The Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease

Here are several factors that can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease:

  1. Genetics and Family History

Genetics and family history have a role in increasing the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The risk will be higher for those who have close relative such as siblings and parents who experience Alzheimer. Although genetic factor is known as one of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists have not known the genetic mechanisms that cause the disease.

In some families, inheritance of a single gene is able to increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. It is better for those who have close relatives that developed Alzheimer, go to genetic counselling to get advice about the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

  1. Age

Although for about 10% of younger people are also at risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. But the probability of developing Alzheimer’s increase as people grow older. Therefore, age factor is known as the biggest risk factor for the disease. However, research has shown that about 1 in 20 people who are under 65, have this disease.

The probability of developing Alzheimer’s symptoms will be doubled each five years after people have reached 65. But, since age is only one of the risk factors of developing Alzheimer’s disease, there are also many older people with age 90s still have good memories and never develop dementia.

This condition is related to the fact that as people grow older, the brain cells’ functions will decline which contribute to the neurons issues in the brain cells. The age – related changes in brain cells may cause inflammation, production of free radicals in brain cells, shrinking parts of the brain and so on.

The Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease
The Risk Factors of Alzheimer’s Disease
  1. Head Injuries

Although this claim is still need further research, but in several cases http://68.183.181.185, people who had experienced severe head injury are at higher risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease compare to those who never experienced several head trauma.

  1. Poor Sleep Condition

Research has shown that the issues of poor sleep condition might be correlated to the increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Poor sleep condition or patterns are such as the difficulty of staying asleep or falling asleep.

  1. Lifestyle Factors

Although this finding still needs further research, but in some cases. People with poor lifestyle have higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease rather than people with healthy lifestyle. Lack of exercise, smoking or regularly being exposed to smoke, and obesity are known as risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.