i need to know what will happen to a person who is being treated for alzheimer's
2006-06-12 11:45:47 · 7 answers · asked by feisty 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Medicine
The treatments usually only help initially with memory loss. Unfortunately, this disease is progressive and patients often pass within 10 years after the initial diagnosis. Short term memory is usually the first thing affected. You may see some personality changes later in the course of the disease. There currently is no cure, however they are working on cures but I'm unsure of when one will become available. The cause of Alzheimer's is currently unknown as well, but they have found some correlation between high cholesterol and Alzheimer's disease.
2006-06-12 18:54:35 · answer #1 · answered by Ferdi 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are a few new drugs out there. Namenda with Aricept can be helpful to slow the progression. There is no cure at this time for Alzheimer's disease unfortunately. I would recommend getting support from a local Alzheimer's association. They have wrist bands with tracking devices, etc. The representative that came to where I work said she feels that we are within 10 years of a cure for the disease. I hope she's right but no guarantees right now. I work with Alzheimer's daily at my nursing home. The disease progresses different for everyone. Usually a span of 10-15 years start to finish..approximately...for the cases I see.
2006-06-12 11:50:10 · answer #2 · answered by Sweetgal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The person will still die, but it will take longer. The quality of life is better for longer.
The drugs slow down the progress but don't halt it or reverse it
My dad's been diagnosed for 2 years. He's on 4 kinds of medicine now---3 kinds by prescription and 1 experimental.
The experimental one is supposed to remove the plaque and stop the new plaque from forming. It doesn't repair the damage done by the plaque though. But plaque is only one aspect of the disease. The study won't be over for a couple of years so we won't find out if he had the real drug or the placebo and if it worked.
2006-06-13 15:06:43 · answer #3 · answered by Gevera Bert 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not too good I am afraid, my Sister-in-law's mother just passed away from alzheimer's less than a week ago, she lived with it for about 6 years and was receiving treatment.
2006-06-12 11:49:16 · answer #4 · answered by Kathy 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Getting better. Elan/Wyeth has novel antibodies in pipeline which seem to flush out deposits, decrease brain volume, but improve cognitive tests by about 30%.
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2006-06-16 19:06:10 · answer #5 · answered by hallitubevolunteer1 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
treatment treats the symptoms (increases memory), but doesnt do much to slow the course of the disease or cure it. so inevitably, just gradual mental deteroration
2006-06-12 11:47:40 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will die slower
2006-06-12 19:20:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋