5 Upcoming Treatments That Could Slow Down Alzheimer's Disease
When a person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, they must brace themselves for an entirely new set of challenges. Both those affected and their loved ones are deeply impacted by this disease as memories fade and regular communication becomes more difficult. Check out these five upcoming treatments that could delay the life-changing side effects of Alzheimer’s. With new medical advances, doctors could start fighting this disease as soon as signs start setting in, offering more hope to those that suffer directly from it.
Maintain A Healthy Heart
How you treat your heart can play a large role in how your brain is thus affected. Often times, medical professionals see that having heart conditions (such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and strokes) increase a person’s risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease. Theories have now arisen as to how effective heart medication may be for preventing and slowing Alzheimer’s. There are also studies as to how living a heart-healthy lifestyle might decrease the risk of developing or enhancing symptoms involved with the disease.
Memory Exercises And Games
We often hear growing up how the brain is a muscle and can be strengthened the more we challenge it. One thing experts are curious to see is the effect that cognitive exercises could have on slowing down the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Memory exercises, social interaction, and reading are just a few examples of activities that could make a person’s mental state stronger, thus delaying, or possibly preventing, Alzheimer’s from taking over a person’s mind.
Increase Insulin Levels
By increasing insulin levels, a person could potentially slow down Alzheimer’s symptoms. Insulin has effects on brain activity, and researchers believe there is a link between it and the progression of Alzheimer’s. By testing out the impact of different insulin levels on those affected with the disease, we may discover ways to slow it down. Down the line, treatments may be administered through the use of a nasal spray, which could lead to better memory function for those suffering.Some natural ways to increase insulin levels include reducing sugar consumption, eating more vegetables, eating higher amounts of protein, and drinking more green or matcha tea.
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Anti-inflammatory drugs could hold a significant role in fighting Alzheimer’s. Since brain cell inflammation occurs when this disease starts taking over the body, reducing the rate at which it expands could significantly slow down symptoms. Results vary as to how effective the use of anti-inflammatory medications has been, but this could play a role in future cures and treatments. The downside is that inflammation is necessary for preventing certain cancers and viruses, so finding the right balance is key.
Vaccines
Beta-amyloid is a type of protein that groups together in a person’s brain, affecting its ability to function correctly. There are vaccines now available that work to keep these proteins from forming into clumps, which is known for being an early sign of Alzheimer’s. Tau is another protein involved in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. When it twists up, abnormalities start to occur in the brain. Research is going strong as to how this issue can be remedied, so that doctors can slow the onset of symptoms.