Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Health 411. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Is it Alzheimers or the Drugs?
Topic Started: Aug 24 2007, 06:34 PM (120 Views)
AloeGal
Member Avatar
TV Host
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Alzheimer’s
Is it Alzheimers or the Drugs?

Side effects of drugs in elderly can be mistaken for dementia
The side effects of many drugs widely used by elderly people can be mistaken for dementia, leading to even more drugs being prescribed, warn doctors in a new report.
Among the most common of these effects are known as "anticholinergic" effects, named for their effects on the nervous system. Besides dementia-like symptoms of confusion, memory loss and disorientation, potential side effects included glaucoma-like blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary problems, dizziness, likelihood of falling, anxiety, rapid shallow breathing, and irregular or rapid heartbeat.
Many of the prescription drugs used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease, depression, allergies, migraine, and irritable bowel syndrome could cause these side effects.
"In the USA, people over 65 consume 30% of prescriptions and 40% of over-the-counter remedies, despite making up only 13% of the population," the study authors write. "In the UK, elderly people comprise only 18% of the population but use 45% of all prescription drugs, some of which are prescribed inappropriately and without proper attention to side effects," they note. "Failure to identify side effects can lead to use of other drugs to treat the symptoms, rather than adjustment of the dose of the drug responsible."
They add, "Some side effects can be mistaken for the effects of old age and age-related illness. This is particularly the case for anticholinergic side effects, which are among the most common drug-related effects experienced by elderly people living in nursing and residential homes."
In addition, the number of drugs with anticholinergic potential available without prescription is increasing, making it more difficult to monitor the situation. For example, histamine H2 antagonists such as
cimetidine (Tagamet)
famotidine (Pepcid)
ranitidine (Zantac)
could be bought over-the-counter for indigestion.
Other over-the-counter drugs that could cause anticholinergic side effects included hay fever treatments, cold and flu medicines, sleeping pills and anti-diarrhoea treatments.
Since many elderly patients take several medications at once, this increases the likelihood of 'anticholinergic load.' The elderly were also more at risk because their metabolism was often less efficient.
The authors recommend that physicians "be alert to the possibility that dry mouth, constipation and blurred vision may be caused by medication. Changes in intellectual function should also be investigated, particularly in patients who already have cognitive impairment," they add.
"For most drugs with anticholinergic potential an alternative is available. Combinations of drugs with strong anticholinergic activity, such as thioridazine and amitriptyline, should obviously be avoided," the authors advise.
Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine
Dr. Mercola's Comment:
It never ceases to amaze me how the older people get the more drugs their doctors seem to put them on. This is the inevitable progression if one is rooted in the traditional drug-based paradigm. The older one becomes the more systems start to deteriorate, especially if one is not following the guidelines on this site. So, of course the traditional solution will be to offer drugs. If any of you have elderly relatives who are believed to suffer with dementia, they would be well served by finding a natural medicine clinician who can guide them off of the drugs. www.mercola.com

By Dave Holland, M.D. (Arlington, TX)

“It’s time we went into a bit more detail as to what you might do id you suspect your health problems have been caused by fungi and/or the mycotoxins (fungal poisons) they produce. Remember, we’re talking about a lot more than simple infections of the toenail, athlete’s foot, jock itch, vaginal yeast infections and sinusitis. In fact, according to Dr. A.V. Costantini, fungi and their poisons are capable of causing a wide range of diseases, including diabetes, cancer, heart disease, arthritis, gout, kidney stones, MS, hyperactivity, infertility, psoriasis, cirrhosis, Alzheimer’s, Scleroderma, Raynaud’s and sarcoidosis. (1)

In addition to a change in diet, treating a fungal-related disorder requires remedies that are not only antifungal, but anti-mycotoxin, as well. Many natural remedies are both. Probiotics (beneficial intestinal bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum), for example, make organic acids that not only prevent the growth of fungi such as the yeasts -- these acids neutralize mycotoxins in the intestines, before they make it into the bloodstream. (4,5) Probiotic acids also stimulate peristalsis, or movement of the intestines. (6) This effect is particularly useful if you become constipated often, and especially if your constipation started after you underwent a round of antibiotics. Remember, antibiotics kill not only bad bacteria, but also the good bacteria that contribute to good health and normal, intestinal function. So, avoiding antibiotics constitutes yet another step toward long-term good health.
Blessings,
AloeGal
You never know why you're alive until you know what you would die for....I would die for You. ~ Mercy Me
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Other Health · Next Topic »
Add Reply