Dementia For Dummies - UK

Chapter 7

Medical Treatments in Dementia

In This Chapter

Finding out about the drugs specifically designed to help the symptoms of dementia

Looking at the medicines used to help depression and anxiety

Knowing the side effects to watch out for when taking prescriptions

Medical science has made enormous advances over the past century and people now benefit from treatments for diseases affecting every system in the body, from infections to insomnia and headaches to heart disease. But still no pill exists for every ill, and for some conditions a cure seems to be some way off.

Unfortunately, dementia is in that category. No medicines on the market can see off all, or indeed any, of the underlying conditions that cause it. However, a handful of drugs slows down its progress and improves symptoms, if only temporarily. Alongside these specific medicines others can help manage some of the more difficult symptoms that dementia can throw up, such as sleeping difficulties, hallucinations and depression.

But because each person is unique, not all these medicines help all people, and in some cases although doctors prescribe medicines with the best of intentions, they can actually be harmful. ...