Alzheimer's disease

Dementia is a progressive brain disease in the elderly, manifested by a gradual decline in cognitive functions, memory, and a reduced ability for self-care.

The first manifestations of incipient dementia are a decline in memory for recent events; a person begins to forget what they did or were about to do in the near future, sometimes replacing recently occurring events with their own fantasies, and starts accusing loved ones of stealing money or certain items. At the same time, memory for events that occurred long ago is preserved. For diagnosis, this situation becomes quite complex, since a person speaks very confidently about events that occurred several years or decades ago, and this is confirmed by real facts, while recent events cannot be verified.

Physical activity gradually decreases, memory declines, a person quickly forgets what they were told or what they recently read; later, spatial orientation is impaired, the patient finds it difficult to find their familiar house or apartment, they stop recognizing close relatives, brothers, sisters, children, and confuse their names. Leaving the patient alone becomes dangerous; they may not turn off the stove, the water tap, or the electricity, which could cause a fire or a flood. Simple mathematical exercises become practically impossible, even drawing a clock face with the correct time becomes a problem.

Over time, skills of cleanliness are lost, and control over pelvic functions is lost. The patient often becomes stubborn and aggressive.

Often, the appearance of such symptoms is attributed to age, and such conditions are called "senile," but dementia can also begin at pre-retirement age, when one cannot speak of old age.

For a long time, it was believed that people in intellectual professions were less at risk of developing dementia, but this rule has not been confirmed. It was also believed that solving crossword puzzles or memorizing poems could stop developing dementia; unfortunately, this also did not meet expectations.

Etiological factors of dementia development for a long time were considered to be age-related vascular changes, cerebral atherosclerosis, associated neuronal ischemia, and metabolic disorders in nerve cells. Accordingly, vascular and nootropic drugs, vitamin complexes were used, but as practice has shown, these treatment methods do not help slow down the progression of the disease.

Other treatment methods included the use of neurotransmitter drugs, and in cases of excessive overexcitation, psychotropic drugs were prescribed. This therapy is symptomatic and does not stop the progressive course of the disease.

The rate of progression varies among different patients; sometimes the destruction of neural connections and associative pathways occurs within a few months, sometimes degeneration stretches over years.

Often, the onset of dementia occurs after a cold, emotional stress, or a surgical procedure. Often, a triggering factor cannot be identified.

Currently, dementia is considered as an active inflammatory process that develops in a patient against the background of age-related decline in hormone levels and immunity.

It is understandable that with progressive neuronal destruction, one can engage in cognitive exercises, dancing, and walks in the fresh air, but it is somewhat naive to expect the body to stabilize the inflammatory process with reduced resources.

In our clinic, the treatment of patients with dementia has several directions. The basis of treatment is anti-inflammatory therapy; protocols are prescribed based on laboratory test results.

Special attention is paid to diet correction, excluding foods that provoke dysbiosis and intestinal inflammation. In some patients, it is necessary to introduce a ketogenic diet, which is done at the clinic as part of the KETOMIT program.

Hormone replacement and metabolic therapy are prescribed based on the results of tests for hormonal profile, vitamins, and trace elements.

And only at this stage can metabolic drugs with nootropic effects be added.

An effective way to support neurometabolism is hypoxic therapy. Our clinic offers the possibility of renting a device for interval hypoxic-hyperoxic training at home.

Requests for renting the device can be left with the organizer.

When the active inflammatory process is controlled and the hormonal background is normalized, it is advisable to conduct the REMIT program; such programs lasting 12 days should be carried out 2–3 times a year.

More detailed information on the treatment of Alzheimer's disease can be obtained by listening to the lecture at https://planetamed.ru/lektsiya-8-integrativnye-podkhody-v-lechenii-bolezni-altsgeymera/