Living With Alzheimer’s: What Should a Caregiver Do?
Written By
Nishant Garund
Medically Reviewed by Dr. Varuni AgarwalDr. Varuni Agarwal is an esteemed Ayurvedic physician specializing in diagnosing diseases through Ayurvedic dosha imbalances and providing personalized treatments. She focuses on ahara (diet) and vihara (lifestyle) to manage and heal various ailments.
Watching a loved one deal with a disease can be difficult. Seeing a loved one struggle can be even more emotionally draining. Alzheimer's awareness, on the other hand, is urgently needed, particularly in India, where Alzheimer's cases are steadily increasing. Dementia and Alzheimer's populations in India are estimated to reach 7.5 million people by 2030. With an estimated 4 million patients, India has the world's third-largest caseload, after China and the United States. This implies that the general population must be taught about the disease, as well as how to manage and avoid it. People in India are looking for efficient strategies to manage, or better yet, prevent Alzheimer's disease thanks to the emergence of numerous supplements such as CBD oil in India.
Table of Contents
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative brain illness that affects memory, mental abilities, and the capacity to perform even simple tasks. Alzheimer's sufferers frequently experience changes in their behaviour and personalities. This disease primarily affects the elderly, with people aged 65 and above being the most affected. Alzheimer's can be broadly classified into three stages, namely, mild, moderate, and severe. It impacts not just those who are afflicted with the sickness, but also their family and friends, as seeing a loved one in such a situation may be extremely demanding.
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disease that causes cognitive problems to worsen over time. In the early stages of Alzheimer's, dementia is mild, but late-stage Alzheimer's leads people to lose contact with their environment. Alzheimer's disease typically affects people for 4 to 8 years following diagnosis, although it can last up to 20 years depending on other circumstances. The symptoms worsen as the disease develops. Some of the most common symptoms include difficulty speaking or writing, impaired judgement, isolation from loved ones, and even memory loss.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Occasionally, the terms "Alzheimer's" and "dementia" are used interchangeably. Dementia is a term used to describe changes in one's intellectual capacity, reasoning, and memory. It also causes a shift in a person's behaviour, as well as a considerable loss of mental function that interferes with day-to-day activities. Although dementia is not a disease in and of itself, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause. In those over the age of 65, Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. It's caused by a series of complex brain changes that start years before symptoms appear and lead to the death of brain cells and a deterioration in brain function.
Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative disease that causes dementia symptoms to worsen over time. In the early stages of Alzheimer's, memory loss is mild, but late-stage Alzheimer's causes people to lose contact with their environment. Alzheimer's disease typically affects people for 4 to 8 years following diagnosis, although it can last up to 20 years depending on other circumstances. Alzheimer's disease symptoms worsen as the disease develops. Some of the most common symptoms include difficulty speaking or writing, impaired judgement, isolation from loved ones, and even memory loss.
The Role of Diet
Avoiding a diet high in trans-fat and saturated fat is one of the most effective ways to nourish your brain for enhanced memory. These lipids have the potential to promote inflammation and create free radicals. Free radicals, as you surely know, are a normal by-product of your metabolism, but in large enough concentrations, they can harm or even kill your brain cells. Antioxidant-rich foods, such as those high in vitamins C and E, are a great way to naturally remove free radicals from your body. Similarly, scientists believe that consuming a large amount of fruit and vegetables, as well as eating omega-3-rich fish and vegetarian protein replacements, protects against memory loss.
Set a Routine
If you're caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease, you need to make sure they eat well and stay hydrated. People with Alzheimer's disease may lose weight for a variety of reasons, which can exacerbate their symptoms. This can be caused by an inability to remember meal times or even a loss of smell and taste. Establishing a consistent daily routine can help someone feel more at ease. This can assist the individual with Alzheimer's to maintain a sense of familiarity. Also, avoid making major alterations to a routine because this might be confusing for someone. Alzheimer's patients often need time to acclimatise to new people and environments, so carers should try to make changes gradually.
The Role of Supplements
Although there hasn't been much research on the link between different supplements and Alzheimer's disease, the results of what has been done are promising. Even so, research has revealed that no single supplement can stop, delay, reverse, or prevent dementia-related illnesses. Even so, supplements will not be able to compensate for a poor diet. Some supplements, such as CBD oil, appear to help regulate some behavioural issues like agitation and aggressiveness, according to a study. CBD oil, in particular, is thought to interact directly with receptor systems as well as the endocannabinoid system (ECS). Cannabinoids have been shown in a few studies to reduce the symptoms of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). components may reduce particular symptoms such as behavioural problems and memory loss, suggesting that CBD could be useful in the treatment and prevention of Alzheimer's disease. People are looking for trustworthy health supplements to help their loved ones deal with Alzheimer's disease, which has led to a surge in the sale of supplements like cannabidiol oil in India.
Is it safe to take CBD oil for Alzheimer’s symptoms?
CBD has been shown to help with a range of Alzheimer's symptoms. The use of cannabidiol oil in India has been shown to help with the treatment of mental problems such as sleeplessness, anxiety, and depression. While CBD may be able to alleviate some symptoms, it may not be able to alleviate the consequences of Alzheimer's disease as the disease progresses. Although CBD appears to be well tolerated by the vast majority of people, it can cause dizziness in some people. The level of THC and other components in CBD oil has an impact on its effectiveness. It can also cause hypotension due to its calming properties. Pure CBD, on the other hand, has no euphoric effects.
CBD Oil in India
CBD, or cannabidiol oil, is not only harmless, but it is also legal to buy in India. You should seek out high-quality CBD oil that is free of dangerous additives and fully safe to consume. If you're considering using CBD oil for an Alzheimer's patient, do so only after consulting a healthcare professional to ensure that it's safe and appropriate for the patient. When searching to buy CBD oil in India, do your homework on ingredients, potency, and other aspects before deciding on the best CBD oil for your needs. Extraction methods and other processes are also vital, and with so many alternatives to select from, it's easy to become overwhelmed. This is why you should educate yourself so that you may make an educated decision. If you're experiencing any troubling symptoms or have any pre-existing diseases, this is especially important. All in all, CBD can help in managing a large number of symptoms of dementia.