As is well known there is nothing that can be done to halt the underlying pathological processes involved in dementia.
However, something can be done to alleviate the associated symptoms and to prevent distress in dementia sufferers.
This article describes some of the medications which are being currently used to treat the symptoms, and what they do.
Sleep disturbance, agitation and depression are common symptoms associated with dementia, and they can be managed by the use of suitable (usually prescription-only) drugs.
Nocturnal restlessness is particularly wearing on the family or the carers, and the use of hypnotics (chloral, chlormethiazole, a short-acting benzodiazepine such as temazepam or lorazepam, or a combination of small doses of a chloral compound with a tranquillizing drug such as promazine) can be of some help.
However, improved sleep may be associated with increased incontinence of urine and those caring for the dementia sufferer may need to make sure they use disposable absorbent pads at night.
Barbiturates will be avoided for night sedation, or the control of agitation, because they tend to produce confusion.
Phenothiazines, such as thioridazine and promazine, or haloperidol, are helpful in relieving agitation and aggressive or repetitive behavior, but care must be taken with such drugs which all have unwanted side effects.
Buspirone is often initially tried for mild-to-moderate anxiety.
When depression is marked it will be treated with tetracyclic antidepressants in order to avoid the toxic effects on the heart of the tricyclic group.
Some drugs such as Memantine have been approved for treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
Using this kind of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) blocker can lead to modest improvement in activities of daily living which are so important to sufferers and to carers, such as eating, grooming and dressing.
Even small improvements can make a significant difference to carers in their interactions with the person with dementia.
Other studies have reported similar improvements through the use of selegiline.
Other medications used in dementia include estrogens (in women); antioxidants, particularly in vascular dementia; and anti-inflammatory agents, presumably because they may protect blood flow in the brain.
Finally, statins (such as atorvastatin or pravastatin) may reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer's disease in the first place.
Choline and lecithin have been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease on the assumption that there is failure of acetylcholine synthesis, but there is no firm evidence yet of any practical value.
However, something can be done to alleviate the associated symptoms and to prevent distress in dementia sufferers.
This article describes some of the medications which are being currently used to treat the symptoms, and what they do.
Sleep disturbance, agitation and depression are common symptoms associated with dementia, and they can be managed by the use of suitable (usually prescription-only) drugs.
Nocturnal restlessness is particularly wearing on the family or the carers, and the use of hypnotics (chloral, chlormethiazole, a short-acting benzodiazepine such as temazepam or lorazepam, or a combination of small doses of a chloral compound with a tranquillizing drug such as promazine) can be of some help.
However, improved sleep may be associated with increased incontinence of urine and those caring for the dementia sufferer may need to make sure they use disposable absorbent pads at night.
Barbiturates will be avoided for night sedation, or the control of agitation, because they tend to produce confusion.
Phenothiazines, such as thioridazine and promazine, or haloperidol, are helpful in relieving agitation and aggressive or repetitive behavior, but care must be taken with such drugs which all have unwanted side effects.
Buspirone is often initially tried for mild-to-moderate anxiety.
When depression is marked it will be treated with tetracyclic antidepressants in order to avoid the toxic effects on the heart of the tricyclic group.
Some drugs such as Memantine have been approved for treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease.
Using this kind of NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) blocker can lead to modest improvement in activities of daily living which are so important to sufferers and to carers, such as eating, grooming and dressing.
Even small improvements can make a significant difference to carers in their interactions with the person with dementia.
Other studies have reported similar improvements through the use of selegiline.
Other medications used in dementia include estrogens (in women); antioxidants, particularly in vascular dementia; and anti-inflammatory agents, presumably because they may protect blood flow in the brain.
Finally, statins (such as atorvastatin or pravastatin) may reduce the chance of developing Alzheimer's disease in the first place.
Choline and lecithin have been used in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease on the assumption that there is failure of acetylcholine synthesis, but there is no firm evidence yet of any practical value.
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