Conditions - Central Nervous System - Alzheimer's disease

• Parkinson's disease
• Multiple sclerosis
• Alzheimer's disease
• Dementia
• Stroke

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Patrick Massey MD, PhD  ALT-MED Medical and Physical Therapy, Elk Grove Village IL and serving the Chicago area
 
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that results in deficits in memory, cognitive thinking and behavior. The symptoms of Alzheimer's disease often develop slowly and progress over time.  Eventually, the symptoms become severe enough that they affect with daily tasks.
 
Alzheimer's disease accounts for 50-80% of all dementia.  Although increased age is the main risk factor,  Alzheimer's disease is not part of a normal aging process.  About five percent of Alzheimer's disease occurs between 40-50 years old.
 
After decades of research¸ the cause of Alzheimer's disease is still unclear but, for early onset Alzheimer's disease, genetics plays a significant role.  However, one thing for certain is that inflammation and oxidative damage are definitely involved.  In addition, there is some evidence that certain metals (especially iron) released during nerve cell injury can exacerbate the oxidative damage.
 
Risk factors for Alzheimer's disease include:

• Head trauma
• Smoking
• Genetics
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Stroke

All medications used for Alzheimer's disease are generally ineffective in the long term but short term benefit can be seen in some patients.  There is increasing evidence that “super” nutritious food¸ healthy activity, reversing medical conditions (high blood pressure, etc) can slow the progression of the disease, improving memory, cognition and daily functioning.  Learning new mental and physical activities may also be beneficial.
 
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease is also linked to a healthy lifestyle, good nutrition, exercise and stress reduction.  There is a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease in those who are physically active and who constantly challenge themselves, mentally, by learning new things.
 
***The research on vitamins and antioxidants and specific dietary supplements in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease is rapidly growing.  Dr. Massey feels that most cases of Alzheimer's disease is related to chronic nutrient insufficiency rather than a specific disease.  He found that a short course of intravenous vitamins (click here) actually improved mental functioning in his patients with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease.  This improvement lasted for almost 6 months after the intravenous vitamin therapy had concluded.  For some patients, the change is quite dramatic.



ALT-MED Approach for Alzheimer's Disease:
 

• Intravenous vitamin therapy

• Regular exercise – if possible

• Explore new and novel activities

• Reduce medication use…especially antidepressants and sleep medication

• Select vitamins, herbs and dietary supplements…individualized to the patient

• Lifestyle changes to maximize overall health…healthy people so better

 
 
Let us help you…for an appointment with Dr. Massey, call (847) 923-0046   
 
 

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