Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Treating Dementia

This afternoon, I attended a conference on the diagnosis in addition to handling of dementia.  Several crucial points were made, including the importance of an accurate diagnosis (only 65% of cases are genuinely due to Alzheimer's Disease).  Furthermore, a diversity of treatable weather condition may campaign dementia-like symptoms (alcohol abuse, depression, certainly vitamin deficiencies, slumber disorders, toxins, hypothyroidism in addition to hyperparathyroidism, amidst others) and, for these, curative measures are available.

Advances inward genomics in addition to biomarker technology scientific discipline may assistance amongst early on diagnosis, in addition to a salubrious life fashion (a Mediterranean diet, regular aerobic practice in addition to tobacco avoidance) may diminish the incidence in addition to progression of Alzheimer's Disease.  While certainly medications may alter the severity in addition to cast of dementia, curative treatments are non available at this request (though ongoing question studies offering hope).

What was non discussed at this conference (and a dependent area to a greater extent than ofttimes than non avoided past times physicians at this phase of human enlightenment) is the selection of assisted suicide for end-stage dementia patients.  This grouping of diseases, which rob individuals of their involve heed in addition to their dignity, house a bully bargain of stress on caretakers in addition to a tremendous fiscal burden on families in addition to on social club equally a whole.  Should a dementia patient, spell withal capable of making decisions, asking this intervention at a given request inward their illness progression, I, for one, strongly back upwards their correct to transcend amongst dignity.

See: Thoughts on Assisted Suicide 

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