Dementia Treatments - How They Work
Being told that you or a family member is suffering from dementia can come as a shocking blow. While there is no cure for dementia, treatment options can make it easier. Knowing how they work is the key to finding the right one for you or your loved one.
How soon would you go see a doctor if you were sick? Would you wait several days or months,
or are you on the phone that morning trying to score an appointment? Most people would say they would try to head out to the doctor that day. Mental illness should be treated in the same manner. That doesn't necessarily mean that you head to a psychiatrist at the first signs of you forgetting something, but you do need to act sooner rather than later. Dementia treatment can only work if you visit with your doctor.
Dementia treatments can be set up to assist with a variety of stages of the disease. Which path your doctor decides to take will be dependent on what caused the brain cell death to begin with. Because each cause is unique, there has to be a unique plan to combat the progression of symptoms. If you suffer from Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, then your plan will be greatly different from those suffering from stroke or onset caused by injury or medication. Since only your doctor can determine the best course of action, the sooner you see him, the sooner you can get on a program that will delay further symptoms.
Dementia treatment options will not cure the disease. That is very important for you and your loved ones to understand. This disease is caused by the death of brain cells. These cells do not regenerate and at this time science has not devised a way to grow new ones. What this type of regime can do is delay the onset of worse symptoms. Your doctor will be able to assist you in finding the right treatment plan for you or your loved one that will be the most effective way for you to battle the worsening of the condition.
Dementia treatment doesn't have to be a bunch of pills either. Sometimes you may have to attend therapy sessions to help combat the affects. This could be something as simple as a therapy session with a psychiatrist or more involved like with occupational therapy. While these therapy sessions won't completely reverse the damage, it can help you or your loved one learn how to move forward with life. These sessions are all a part of the healing process and learning how to combat the condition that will eventually continue to deteriorate.
There is no reason that you should allow this type of cognitive impairment be the end of your life. There are lots of different forms of dementia treatment and one of them may be able to work for you. By consulting your physician you might be surprised to find ways to delay worse symptoms and possibly learn to cope with what life has dealt you. While there is no cure and no way to regenerate the damaged or dead brain cells, it doesn't mean you can't continue living.