Medication and Treatment

In recent years there has been a surge in research into Dementia, what it's causes are, and what can be done to treat it. There are currently many ongoing studies to try and find the proverbial 'miracle cure'. In addition to the studies and testing carried out at Hospitals, Universities and Research Labs, there are also a number of other avenues that have brought some favourable results.

In addition to the numerous medicines that are used to treat Dementia, there are also a number of complementary and alternative therapies, some more widely known and accepted than others. These are obviously more prolific in their conception, (and ultimately their demise), than medicinal treatments. It needs to be noted that some therapies, while working well for one individual, may not work well for another. As is the case with many innovative treatments, it could be all down to the individual and their personal circumstances as to how they respond to treatment. If the treatment works with no ill side-effects, then it can only be of benefit to them. If it doesn't work, then they will be no worse off for trying.

Most of the none medicinal treatments and therapies are relatively safe to try and will either work or not. In these cases it's a matter of nothing ventured, nothing gained, although care must be taken with any treatment which involves the ingestion of substances that are not normally associated with treating Dementia. Patients should be reminded that they it is not advisable to try any alternative or complementary medicine without first consulting your G.P. no matter how innocent the treatment or substance appears to be.

Finally there are drugs that are used to counteract the non-cognitive symptoms of Dementia, i.e. depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, hallucinations, etc. Whilst they do nothing to physically counteract the causes of Dementia, they do offer some respite by relieving the non-cognitive symptoms to a degree where the patient may feel more comfortable, and can go about their day to day tasks with greater confidence and purpose. It should be noted however, that often non-cognitive therapy medication needs careful consideration before it is included it as part of their treatment plan. Inappropriate or excessive use can be detrimental to the condition of the patient. Again, they should be advised to gain the advice of their GP or local health professional before any treatment is started.