Alzheimer's Disease

Sunday, December 09, 2007

Alzheimer’s Disease

Healthy Living Evening 15 May 2006

Dr. Knightly Seneviratna, Consultant Psychiatrist , Mental Health Services for Older People, West Middlesex Hospital

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, affecting around 500,000 in the UK.  With our population ageing it is likely that you already have or will have in the future, a friend or relative with some form of the condition.

There are various levels of dementia, starting with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) where we may just be a bit forgetful, through to severe dementia leading to a decline in memory and confusion that will affect our quality of life and our ability to carry out everyday activities. Dementia usually affects people from around 60 onwards although he knew of cases where people in their early 40s were affected by the disease.

Dr. Seneviratna described the different types of Alzheimer’s disease and invited the audience to ask questions as he went along.  He explained that there are no ways to cure the diseases that cause dementia, but that there were treatments and therapies that can slow down the process and alleviate some of the symptoms.

This naturally brought immediate responses from the audience. What can we do? What drugs are available? What complementary therapies are helpful? What activities should we avoid, ie drinking too much alcohol, smoking?

Dr. Seneviratna said that having a healthy lifestyle and taking certain vitamins were helpful. Also keeping the brain active with crosswords or mental puzzles. Regular exercise too, to keep the blood pumping through the body.  Drug treatments are available that slow down the progression of symptoms in some people.  He mentioned a newer drug called Ebixa that can protect brain cells by blocking the release of excess glutamate, which is produced in large amounts when brain cells are damaged by Alzheimer’s disease.

Q&A Forum

There was a wide variety of questions from the audience.  Several members of the audience had experience of caring for relatives with the disease and of the distressing emotional affects that this had on them. Dr. Seneviratna answered all questions sensitively and with understanding.

For further information look at the web site of the Alzheimer’s Society www.alzheimers.org the UK’s leading care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. On their web page they say, “Every person experiences dementia in their own individual way, but there is usually a decline in memory, reasoning, along with communication skills and a gradual loss of the skills needed to carry out daily activities. If you are feeling confused, agitated or forgetful, you should see your GP.  If you are close to someone who is showing these symptoms, you could suggest that you accompany them on their first visit.”

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