Bexarotene for Alzheimer's

A long prescribed skin cancer medication, Bexarotene, may offer a relief from Alzheimer's Disease by attacking harmful amyloid beta proteins. Though the medication may not be able to revive dead cells, early detection and treatment may prove beneficial for slowing or halting the onset of symptoms. Researchers intend to verify their findings and escalate their testing beyond laboratory mice to explore the potential for this medicine's use.

Showing unprecedented potential for helping the brain clear harmful protein buildup, researchers found that bexarotene rapidly clears 75% of amyloid beta in mice. This protein is known to strangle the synapses preventing the communication between cells and resulting in their demise. If further trials prove to be as effective, bexarotene may be implemented as an early stage treatment.

Government Alzheimer's Research Funding

The Obama administration has set forth a plan for Federal Government Alzheimer's research funding amounting to nearly $156 million over the next two years. This funding will be set forth in a multiphase approach beginning with $50 million. Finances are set to be directed toward preventing Alzheimer's, however, a portion of the proceeds will go to treatment offices.

Alzheimer's disease affects over 5 million Americans and starts with mild memory loss but progresses to confusion, disability, and death. Estimates suggest that at the current rate of diagnosis, the number of individuals with Alzheimer's could double in the next generation. This would set treatment costs at over $1 Trillion annually.

The current Government Alzheimer's research funding, even with this commitment, falls millions short of funding for other debilitating conditions such as cancer and heart disease. This act by the Obama administration is being seen as a good faith gesture to American researchers, treatment providers, and those afflicted.

The installment plan set forth for Government Alzheimer's research funding in 2012 begins with a $50 million award to begin the year. It is expected that Obama will ask for the approval of another $80 million later in the year, all for research to cure or prevent dementia. This will be supplemented by $26 million specifically for treatment programs.

Alzheimer's Skin Care

When combined with the natural aging process, lack of mobility, and advanced breakdown, Alzheimer's skin care is a primary concern. As the disease continues to progress, the skin becomes thinner and more likely to open resulting in sores that are not only painful, but can become seriously infected. Proper skin care will help patients with Alzheimer's to avoid discomfort and serious illness.

The first and most important element to Alzheimer's skin care is facilitating a clean and healthy environment. This means ensuring that the individual remains as mobile as possible. If they have difficulty rising from a chair or bed, use cushions, pillows, and help rotate the person so that weight is properly distributed. In addition to regular movement and rotation, keep clothing, bedding, cushions, and pillows clean and dry.

As important to positioning and environment for Alzheimer's skin care is treating the skin itself. Regularly inspect, clean, and lotion the skin. This will reduce the chance of damage and infection while protecting the skin from future concerns. If a sore or degraded skin is found, there is a wide array of wound care products available for cleaning, treating, and protecting the wound to facilitate the healing process.

Preventative treatment is an essential step for proper Alzheimer's skin care. Using daily cleansing agents and lotions to maintain moisture can reduce drying, cracking, and soreness. Additionally, consider range of motion exercises to enhance circulation.

Managing Alzheimer's Incontinence Issues

For individuals and caregivers, it should be anticipated that they may be responsible for managing Alzheimer's incontinence issues. Bowel and bladder problems are likely and become more prevalent in the later stages of dementia. Precautionary steps such as setting a schedule, limiting consumption, using incontinence products, and monitoring activity can help to address and prevent accidents.

Set and maintain a regular toileting schedule to help maintain consistency in bowel and bladder movement. Occasionally, it may help to use fiber, laxatives, or enemas to augment natural changes in order to maintain regularity. Setting, documenting, and affecting a regular toileting schedule can help to prevent loss of bowel or bladder control.

Managing Alzheimer's incontinence issues is more than just responding to accidents and bathroom schedules. To help control bowel and bladder function, consider holding to a regular food and drink schedule. This would entail planning meal times when the digestive process would not interfere with travel, activity, or rest.

There is no sure way to avoid accidental loss of bladder or bowel control, so be sure to take advantage of available incontinence products. Items like adult briefs and underpads are designed for effectively managing Alzheimer's incontinence issues. Absorbent products can help an affected individual to maintain dignity while controlling the effects of lost bowel or bladder control.

One of the most important, and often neglected, parts of managing Alzheimer's incontinence issues is proper cleanup and skin care. Accidents can happen, but left unattended, urine and fecal matter can cause serious skin degradation resulting in pain and infection. There is an abundance of skin cleansers, creams, and ointments that can be used to maintain healthy skin.

Brain Stimulation Reduces Beta-Amyloid

Researchers at UC Berkeley posit a correlation between lifelong brain stimulation and a reduction in the concentrations of Beta-Amyloid, a plaque commonly found in persons with Alzheimer's disease. Brain scans were performed on individuals that ranged from less to more intellectually focused individuals and seemed to present a link between increased activity and a lower chance of dementia risk. No connection has been defined yet between increasing activity after dementia sets in and the possibility of disease remission.

Findings indicate that increased brain stimulation over the duration of one's life can help to reduce or prevent the deposit of Beta-Amyloid possibly presenting a prevention technique for Alzheimer's. The researchers at Berkeley have found an inverse trend between activity and plaque deposits. Remodeling of prevention and treatment methods may indicate increasing brain usage many years prior to the onset of symptoms.

Despite the findings that increased brain stimulation reduces Beta-Amyloid deposits, there is as of yet no connection between later life increases and plaque reduction. Scientists and medical professionals still encourage increased activity though citing that perhaps the connection has just not yet been conclusively established.

Our takeaway from this should be that increased brain stimulation is positive and can inspire creativity, fulfillment, and may even reduce the onset of degenerative conditions. Building strong habits today may reduce negative effects appearing later in life.

Home Fall Prevention

As late stage Alzheimer's Disease takes hold, home fall prevention becomes an important matter. There are a number of support, alert, and mobility products to ensure the welfare of the affected individual and their loved ones. Wandering, falling, and lack of mobility no longer need to represent road blocks to a happy and fulfilling life.

Home fall prevention means being aware and prepared for the inevitable accident. Safety rails and grab bars placed around the home can help the fully mobile individual when weakened or out of balance. These items are of particular importance in places like the bathroom where many home falls occur. Consider additions such as a floor safety mat, toilet rails, raised toilet seats, bath benches, or even bath grab bars.

As aging sets in and the disease progresses, mobility may be impaired resulting in the need for products like wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, and canes. Home fall prevention is more than support rails, choosing the right products to aid in mobility can make all the difference for navigating the house. Qualified medical professionals and suppliers can help find the right products for your needs.

Mobility issues clearly pose a serious risk, but one of the major issues affecting individuals with Alzheimer's is wandering. This is done at an often unconscious level and is very frightening for the individual and those around them. Home fall prevention includes planning for the eventuality that an affected individual may unknowingly rise and travel around and even out of the home. Many healthcare product suppliers carry alarms for beds, chairs, even doors designed to alert caregivers and loved ones of wandering.

Home fall prevention is a serious issue, and proper steps to protect yourself and your loved ones can prevent injury and even death. A small investment in well being can yield a strong return in quality of life.

Diagnosed with Alzheimer's?

Just because you may have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's doesn't mean an end to life and happiness. Take care of yourself physically and mentally and there is no limit to the activities you can enjoy. It is possible to live a full and productive life while coping with some of the changes you may begin to experience.

Mental Health

If you have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's you may be feeling fearful, lonely, depressed, frustrated, or even angry. These emotions are not only normal, but expected. What matters going forward is that you take the steps to move past these challenges and enjoy the positives that remain.

After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's, continue to participate in life, even keep a journal about what you are doing and how you're feeling. If you find difficulty in coping with or participating in the outside world, consider sharing with friends and family, counseling, or even a support group for similarly challenged individuals. Doctor's, various community organizations, and clergy are great resources for help.

Choose not to let Alzheimer's be the end of life, but an opportunity to focus on what really matters.

Physical Health

Many people that have been affected by dementia choose to withdraw from normal practices prematurely and as a result actually make the effects worse. After being diagnosed with Alzheimer's it is more important than ever to maintain your physical health including daily activity and routine medical care.

Some common suggestions for healthy living after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's include proper hygiene and diet, routine medical care, exercise, and proper rest. Consumption of alcohol or other substances may actually speed up the disease, so clean living is preferable to self medication. Make sure to take all prescribed medications and stay current with medical appointments to ensure the best success for continued health.

Life After Being Diagnosed with Alzheimer's

Your experiences can be just as full and rewarding after being diagnosed with Alzheimer's if you choose to continue living. The road ahead will be difficult, but the rewards of enjoying friends, family, and the rest of what you love will make the journey worth it. Remember, you are not alone.