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How Can Dementia Be Treated?
My brother has end-stage dementia; progressing to the frontal lobe, caused by improper venting in the automechanic shop he worked in. He`s been doing fairly well in a residential care facility. Some minor bouts of agitation led to starting him on trazodone, which caused vomiting and increased agitation. His only other medication was lisinipril and senna at that time. On May 31 he was admitted to a hospital because of vomiting and medication management. By June 3 he was on risperidon, valproic acid, zyprexa, remeron, miralax, trazodone, tylenol prn and mylanta. This all caused the agitation to get worse, so they increased the doses, put him in restraints and DR. refused to discuss his care with his son (who is his guardian). Visitation was only allowed between 1 and 3 PM and many days he was snowed under the medications. Should`t new meds be added gradually, and if they increase the agitation stop them and try other medications. Right now the Drs are suggesting pretty much putting him down. This is a man who was perfectly comfortable going out to eat in a public restaurant on May 28 (although he vomited shortly after because of the trazodone). He remembers pictures of family members, remembers his birthday cake on May 1 and remembers my visit the weekend of May 28. Trying to get Dr. to wean him off of the medications which increased his agitation is nearly hopeless. Can you suggest better options? YYYY@YYYY
Mon, 14 Aug 2017
Hello Dear. Some cases of dementia are caused by medical conditions that can be treated, and treatment can restore some or all mental function. But most of the time, dementia cannot be reversed.
Sometimes treating the cause of dementia helps the dementia. For example, the person might:
1. Take vitamins for a deficiency of vitamin B12.
2. Take thyroid hormones for hypothyroidism.
3. Have surgery to remove a brain tumor or to reduce pressure on the brain.
4. Stop or change medicines that are causing memory loss or confusion.
5. Take medicines to treat an infection, such as encephalitis.
6. Take medicine to treat depression.
7. Get treatment for reversible conditions caused by AIDS.
Palliative care is a kind of care for people who have a serious illness. It's different from care to cure the illness. Its goal is to improve a person's quality of life-not just in body but also in mind and spirit.
1. Tips to help the person be independent and manage daily life as long as possible.
2. Medicine. While medicines cannot cure dementia, they may help improve mental function, mood, or behavior.
3. Support and counseling. A diagnosis of dementia can create feelings of anger, fear, and anxiety. A person in the early stage of the illness should seek emotional support from family, friends, and perhaps a counselor experienced in working with people who have dementia.
Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
Sometimes treating the cause of dementia helps the dementia. For example, the person might:
1. Take vitamins for a deficiency of vitamin B12.
2. Take thyroid hormones for hypothyroidism.
3. Have surgery to remove a brain tumor or to reduce pressure on the brain.
4. Stop or change medicines that are causing memory loss or confusion.
5. Take medicines to treat an infection, such as encephalitis.
6. Take medicine to treat depression.
7. Get treatment for reversible conditions caused by AIDS.
Palliative care is a kind of care for people who have a serious illness. It's different from care to cure the illness. Its goal is to improve a person's quality of life-not just in body but also in mind and spirit.
1. Tips to help the person be independent and manage daily life as long as possible.
2. Medicine. While medicines cannot cure dementia, they may help improve mental function, mood, or behavior.
3. Support and counseling. A diagnosis of dementia can create feelings of anger, fear, and anxiety. A person in the early stage of the illness should seek emotional support from family, friends, and perhaps a counselor experienced in working with people who have dementia.
Hope i have answered your question. Feel free to contact me if you have any more questions. I ll be glad to help you.
All the best
With warm regards
Dr Sanjay Kini
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