Thread by @ChiefPharmacst

#WORLD_ALZHEIMERS_DAY : Let’s Talk About Dementia

LADY : Pharm, I came back into the country few weeks ago & found out that my Grand Ma couldn't recognize me & some family members and she was abit aggressive & irritated too.

A Thread 👇

We took her to the hospital and she was diagnosed with a condition called SENILE DEMENTIA ( Alzheimer’s Disease).
So the physician prescribed some medications, which I came to get BUT can you EDUCATE me on the disease???

CHIEF PHARM : Sure Madam.

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ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE is a progressive disease that causes the BRAIN CELLS to DEGENERATE & DIE leading to LOSS OF MEMORY and other important brain functions.

It CAN’T be CURED but can be MANAGED
It requires medical diagnosis & It can be a lifelong condition.

3/c

#SYMPTOMS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

1.) MEMORY LOSS : This can be observed when the person repeats his statements and questions, gets lost in familiar places, forgets names of family members.
They find it difficult to concentrate & think things.

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2.) BEHAVIORAL CHANGES : Their personality and behavior start to change. They become depressed, apathetic, aggressive, easily irritated, delusional, and distrust people easily.

👉 Now can understand why Grand Ma couldn’t recognize you?

LADY : Yes Pharm, I understand now

5/c

BUT how are some of the factors that can PREDISPOSE someone to the disease?

CHIEF PHARM : Some of the #RISK_FACTORS are 👇👇👇

1.) AGE – It doesn’t usually affect kids but mostly elderlies between 65 years old & above.
2.) Family history
3.) Down Syndrome

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4.) Sex – It’s usually more common in females than in males.
5.) Past head trauma
6.) Poor sleeping patterns
7.) Lifestyle and Health: Lack of exercise, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes.

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My #ADVISE to you as a #PHARMACIST is to 👇👇

- Ensure she takes her medications as prescribed by the physician.

- Also ensure she pertake in mentally stimulating activities like READING & certain games. If she can't read, show her PICTURES for her to IDENTIFY (it helps).

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- She should STOP smoking & drink if she does any or both.

- Ensure she MANAGES her blood pressure & diabetes if she has any.

- Also give her a well HEALTHY DIETS with regular mild EXERCISES.

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The ROLE OF PHARMACISTS in MANAGEMENT of ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE is to EDUCATE patients or patient relatives about d disease (what it is, the symptoms & risk factors), Medications usage & also possible WAYS to REDUCE its PROGRESSION.

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