A severe neurological condition, Alzheimer's disease affects several necessary functions, such as memory and language. As the disease progresses, patients lose more of these abilities, leading up to their inability to care for themselves. Although no cure exists for Alzheimer's disease, several treatment options do exist. MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health, points out that the goals of Alzheimer's disease treatment include slowing the progression disease, managing the symptoms of the disease, supporting family members and making changes to the home environment that helps the patient.
Medications
Two groups of medications exist for Alzheimer's disease: cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Each of these medications work on different neurotransmitters. For example, cholinesterase inhibitors target the neurotransmitters acetylcholine. These medications work by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, which helps with memory and learning. Examples of cholinesterase inhibitors galantamine, donepezil and rivastigmine. The MayoClinic.com points out that about 50 percent of Alzheimer's disease patients who take cholinesterase inhibitors do not have improvement in symptoms. Side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, indigestion, muscle cramps and a loss of appetite.
The other medication option is memantine, which the MayoClinic.com explains “protects brain cells from damage caused by the chemical messenger glutamate.” Memantine may help patients who have moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. Sometimes, doctors may give patients both memantine and a cholinesterase inhibitor. Side effects include anxiety, dizziness and agitation.
In addition to taking medications, Alzheimer's disease patients may need to stop using other types of medications, which may worsen certain symptoms of the disorder, such as confusion. For example, MedlinePlus notes that Alzheimer's disease patients may not be able take sleeping pills, pain killers, antihistamines, depressants or cimetidine. Patients should only stop taking medications under the advice of their doctors.
Care Options
As the disease progresses, patients may need long-term care. The MayoClinic.com splits the options into two groups: home care and residential care. If the Alzheimer's disease patient stays at home, caretakers may benefit from respite care, in which certain facilities offer care services when the caretaker needs a break. Adult day services and home health services are also options. If the patient requires more help, she may benefit from residential care options. These include assisted-living, nursing home and specialized dementia care facility.
Alternative Treatments
Some patients opt for alternative treatments, such as taking vitamin supplements. MedlinePlus explained that some people may take vitamin E, vitamin B9, vitamin B12 or ginkgo biloba; however, no strong evidence exists that these vitamins slow or prevent Alzheimer's disease, and patients who also take blood thinners or monoamine oxidase inhibitors should not use ginkgo biloba. Patients wanting to use an alternative treatment should talk to their doctors first.