Treatment of Alzheimer Disease Discussion Essay

Discussion Post

The pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. This leads to the death of neurons and the loss of cognitive function. The death of neurons and the loss of cognitive function is thought to be caused by the binding of amyloid plaques to neuronal proteins, which in turn disrupts cell function (Hampel et al., 2018). This affects the ability to think, remember, and learn.

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Cholinesterase inhibitors such as Donepezil are drugs that are used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. They work by increasing the breakdown of choline and acetylcholine, which are neurotransmitters. This can help to prevent the buildup of beta-amyloid and neurofibrillary tangles (Sharma, 2019). Side effects of cholinesterase inhibitors include drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea. For a patient to reduce these sides effects of the drug, it is important to monitor for signs of cholinesterase inhibition such as low levels of sodium in the blood or an increase in heart rate. Patients should be advised to avoid taking cholinesterase inhibitors if they have an infection or are receiving a treatment that uses cholinesterase inhibitors. Treatment of Alzheimer Disease Discussion Essay

Drug interactions that should be monitored include those involving medications for hypertension, heart failure, and psychiatric disorders. There is some evidence that cholinesterase inhibitors may increase the risk of stroke (Sharma, 2019). Treatment guidelines for Alzheimer’s disease vary depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s age. Some patients may require lifelong treatment with a cholinesterase inhibitor, while others may only require short-term treatment. Treatment options include lifestyle changes, such as weight loss and increased exercise, medications, or a combination of both (Sharma, 2019). There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but treatments can help to improve the patient’s quality of life.

References

Hampel, H., Mesulam, M. M., Cuello, A. C., Farlow, M. R., Giacobini, E., Grossberg, G. T., … & Khachaturian, Z. S. (2018). The cholinergic system in the pathophysiology and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Brain, 141(7), 1917-1933.

Sharma, K. (2019). Cholinesterase inhibitors as Alzheimer’s therapeutics. Molecular medicine reports, 20(2), 1479-1487. Treatment of Alzheimer Disease Discussion Essay

Select another CNS, pain, inflammation, bone, or joint disorder from a different category than the one that you discussed in DQ1, and briefly explain the pathophysiology of that disorder. Select a drug used to treat the disorder you identified. Share the mechanism of action of this medication and hints for monitoring, side effects, and drug interactions of which one should be aware. Discuss evidence and treatment guidelines to determine appropriate therapeutic options for a patient with your selected disorder. Make sure that you select a different medication than your peers. Include the name of the medication in the subject line so that the medications can be followed. Include your references in APA style. Treatment of Alzheimer Disease Discussion Essay