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Alzheimer's disease and Homeopathy
from:Alzheimer's disease
Introduction
Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia in the
elderly. More than 60% of the cases of dementia are due to this.
Its prevalence is age related is as high as 47% in persons of 85
years above.
Definition: It is a degenerative disorder of the cerebral cortex
resulting in progressive senile dementia.
Causes The persons in whom the onset of the disease is before 65
years of age, the genetic factors are considered to be one of
the important causes. The main cause of this functional debility
is the irreversible death of the brain cells due to deposition
of protein plaques. Environmental agents like viruses are also
considered to be one of the causes, but, enough evidence has not
been found in this respect.
Risk factors - Advancing age is a risk factor, though; all
elderly persons do not invariably show these features.
Having as family history of the disease. Alcohol toxicity,
previous head trauma and some immunological factors may also add
to the risk of developing the disease.
Screening diagnosis The disease has a very insidious onset and
it progresses very gradually. It basically affects the emotion,
intellect and memory of the person. It develops through 3 stages:
Stage 1
The memory of the person is affected in the initial stages.
First, impairment of memory for recent happenings can be noticed
which is later followed by impairment of long term memory also.
Patients themselves complain of the difficulty in the
initial stages. â?¢ The person also has disorientation of time
and place; he misidentifies things and people. He repeats
his words again and again.
Stage 2
Here, the patient denies that anything is wrong with him
says that he is alright. Gradually, the person shows
deterioration of his intellectual functions and certain
personality changes occur. He may also develop problems
pertaining to speech language.
He may later develop aphasic syndrome (Lack of right word at
the right time compels the patient to compensate by speaking
around the subject- paraphasia- impoverished vocabulary- also
that the patient can't convey his feelings due to fragmented
words sentences -a mutism results.)
Constructional apraxia (Inability to draw two or three
dimensional figures.) follows. The person finds it difficult
to wave his hand to someone, greet someone or even to use a pen for
writing.
Visual agnosia develops (inability to comprehend what he
sees).Due to these functional deficits, the person develops some
psychiatric disturbances like: depression, aggression, anxiety,
delusions, sleeplessness etc.
Stage 3
Finally, the person reaches a stage when he has to depend on
others for his daily living activities.
The person may develop self care apraxias like: dressing,
shaving, bathing, combing hair.
Visual agnosia is followed by auditory, tactile agnosias.
In these advanced stages, even the musculature is affected.
The patient walks in a shuffling manner with short steps.
Stiffness of all the muscles leads to slowness and awkwardness
of all the movements. The entire course of the illness is 5-8
years approximately. During the course of the illness, any
coexistent illness worsens the condition of the patient acutely.
Diagnosis: It is basically done by ruling out any other causes
of cognitive disorders.
Progressive worsening of memory and at least two areas of
cognitive impairment.
Onset between 40 years 90 years of age (mostly, after 65 years)
the person should be in a state of normal arousal i.e. he should
not be drowsy, or comatose or delirious.
Diagnosis is based on the order of the appearance of the
symptoms can be supported by imaging techniques like:MRI, CT
scan ; which show enlargement of the ventricular space along
with brain atrophy.But,this is not confirmatory of Alzheimer's
as such changes are also seen in most of the other people of
this age group.
Homoeopathic treatment:
The homoeopathic medicines cannot provide cure to the patients,
but will help in recovery of the memory loss of the patient.
Our medicines will also help by altering the rate of progress of
the disease. Also, the other psychiatric disturbances which the
patient develops in the course of the disease like anxiety,
depression, delusions, disturbed sleep etc can also be safely
relieved by homoeopathic medicines. If the patient is brought to
us in the early stages, we have a lot to help for relieving the
patient's complaints without any other side effects.
Environmental structuring: This means providing a safe, non
stimulating, environment to the patient which provides him with
consistency comfort.
Patient care
For stage 1 patients, reality orientation is very helpful.
For stage 2 patients, reality orientation is not possible;
hence validation therapy is the best choice. Here, we should
value support the patient's feelings thoughts.
The patient should be encouraged to do self care, exercise
his other activities. His mental and emotional states, his other
vital signs body functions should be assessed for any
deterioration.
We should keep in mind the patient's capabilities our
expectations should not exceed his abilities to perform any
tasks.
We should speak to the patient calmly allow him sufficient
time to reply as we understands that the thinking process of the
patient has slowed down. He should also be referred to
appropriate support groups, counseling groups etc.
Dr.Santosh Joshi Classical Homeopath www.hhomeopathy.com
About the author:
Dr Santosh Joshi graduated from the University of Pune India in
the year 1999-2000. With a firm grounding in classical
homeopathy and the experience achieved by working with senior
Homeopaths today he is handling 3 clinics in Mumbai India at
Kala ghoda, Mulund and Chembur. He was an active participant in
the seminars organized in pune during his college years.He has
also given case presentation on Homeopathy.
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