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Volume
2, Issue 17
September 3, 1999
I
hope this issue finds everyone looking forward to a long Labor
Day Weekend. Enjoy yourselves on this last long weekend of the
summer.
Medical Problems
People with dementing illnesses can also suffer from other
diseases ranging from relatively minor problems, like the flu, to
serious illnesses. They may not be able to tell you they are in
pain (even if they are able to speak well) or they may neglect
their bodies. Cuts, bruises, or even broken bones can go
unnoticed. People who sit or lie for long periods of time may
develop pressure sores. Their physical health may gradually
decline. Correction of even minor physical problems can
greatly help people who suffer from dementing illnesses.
You may have experienced a feeling of mental "dullness"
when you were sick. This phenomenon can be worse in people with
dementing illnesses, who seem to be especially vulnerable to
additional troubles. A delirium can be brought about by other
conditions (flu, a minor cold, pneumonia, heart trouble,
reactions to medications, and many other things) and it may look
like a sudden worsening of the dementia. However, the delirium (and
the symptoms) usually goes away when the condition is treated.
You should check routinely for signs of illness or injury and
call them to the attention of your doctor.
People who cannot express themselves well may not be able to
answer yes or no when you ask them specific questions such as,
"Does your head hurt?" Even people who still express
themselves well may fail to recognize or may be unable to report
pain.
All indications of pain or illness must be taken seriously. It is
important to find a physician who is gentle, who understands the
patient's condition, and who will take care of general medical
problems. Do not let a doctor dismiss a patient because she is
"senile" or "old". Insist that her infection
be treated and her pains diagnosed and relieved. Because of the
person's vulnerability to delirium, it is wise to check with the
doctor about even minor conditions, such as a cold.
Signals of Illness:
- Abrupt worsening of behavior (such as refusal to do things she
was previously willing to do)
- Fever (a temperature over 100 degrees F). When taking a
temperature, use the new liquid-crystal thermometers that are
placed against the skin or thermometers with a plastic-coated
"probe". These are available in drug stores. Confused
people may bite a glass thermometer. Older people may not have a
significant fever even when they are seriously ill. Lack of a
fever does not mean that the person is well.
- Flushing or paleness
- Rapid pulse (over 100), not obviously associated with
exercise. Normal for most people is between 60 and 100 beats per
minute. Have a nurse show you how to find a pulse in the wrist.
Count for 20 seconds and multiply by 3. It is helpful to know
what a normal pulse is for the individual.
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Changes in the skin (it may lose its elasticity or look dry or
pale)
- Dry, pale gums or sores in the mouth
- Thirst or refusal of fluids or foods
- Change in personality, increased irritability, or increased
lassitude or drowsiness
- Headache
- Moaning or shouting
- Sudden onset of convulsions, hallucinations, or falls
- Becoming incontinent
- Swelling of any part of the body (check especially hands and
feet)
- Coughing, sneezing, signs of respiratory congestion, or
difficulty breathing.
Ask yourself the following questions:
- Has the person had even a minor fall?
- Has she moved her bowels in the last seventy-two hours?
- Has she had a recent change (within the past month) in medication?
- Is she suddenly not moving an arm or leg?
- Is she wincing in pain?
- Does she have other health problems, such as
heart disease, arthritis, or a cold?
If a person begins to lose weight, this may indicate the presence of a serious disease. It is important that your doctor determine
the cause of any weight loss. A person who has lost 10 percent of
her weight needs to be seen by a physician as soon as possible.
Medical News
LSU Scientist
Says New Drug Will Save Brain Cells Attacked By Neurological
Injury Or Disease
NEW ORLEANS, La., Aug. 24 - A new drug that may prevent the death
of brain cells endangered by Alzheimer's disease, head injury, stroke or
epilepsy was described here today by Nicolas G. Bazan, M.D., Ph.D., director
of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at Louisiana State University.
He presented his findings at the national meeting of the American
Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society.
Bazan said he has found the gene responsible for producing an
inflammatory protein known to precede brain cell death in conditions of injury
or disease-and discovered how to switch it off. Both gene and
protein are called cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Injury or disease triggers a
chain reaction that signals the gene to produce the chemical messenger RNA,
which in turn instructs the gene to produce the killer protein. His new drug
prevents the production of COX-2 and stops the signaling process before the
genes can be affected.
Bazan's discovery of a novel mechanism to inhibit the expression
of pathological genes led to the development, in collaboration with
organic chemists, of a drug that renders these genes inactive in animal
models of neurodegenerative disease. His laboratory will now enter the pre-clinical
phase of research.
Bazan's laboratory also studies processes that could lead to the
regeneration of diseased and damaged neural pathways. This work
focuses on the design of small molecules capable of passing through the
blood brain barrier. "The combination of a fundamental understanding of
neurobiological processes, coupled with the actual power of genetic manipulations,
is creating an environment of unparalleled excitement and unlimited
possibilities," Bazan said.
Editor's Note: The original news release can be found at
http://www.chemcenter.org/press/braincells.html
Contributed by NotelyJoan
Happenings
A reminder to those who are interested in attending the Gathering of Friends in
Nashville, TN on Oct 8, 9, 10. We have only 5 weeks left but
there are reservations to be made NOW. If you wish to
attend you will need to email both LIZA 513 and Russell363 by
this weekend. We know that situations have changed
for many over this year and there may be some who can now make
the trip. There are also many newcomers. Again, if you wish to
attend send that email NOW!!
Disclaimer: This "Gathering" is being arranged by a
group of friends. It is not spontored by Better Health or AOL.
therefore, we ask that you not discuss it in any of the
caregiver support chats as their purpose is to provide
support for caregivers, not to do planning. Thanks for your
cooperation.
LINKS
Click here: TIME Magazine: Taking Care Of Our Aging
Parents
Click here: InteliHealth - Home to Johns Hopkins Health Information: Health News
IPA CONGRESS: Aricept Effective, Well-Tolerated For Long-Term Alzheimer's Treatment
E-mail Bag
From ESKIMODEE
Hi Everyone:
After 15 months of being a primary caregiver, I was able to
plan and actually go on a much needed vacation. A cruise in
Alaska, which I carefully planned since last October. My sister,
re-organized her life and time to take over for me at home, while
my younger brother (with Down's Syndrome) was allowed that same
week off to be "the man in charge". Although I had a
few apprehensions, and was re-assured by my sister that all would
be fine, my fears disappeared as soon as I boarded the airplane
for Vancouver. I refused to call home the entire week to check on
things. I knew my sister had emergency contact numbers just in
case. My trip was enjoyable and much needed. My God-Child
accompanied me and we both had a great time. On my return, Mom
almost knocked me over when I came in the door. She was very
happy to see me and glad that I had a good time. The very next
day, as we had breakfast together, Mom said, "I missed your
laugh this week, say something funny and laugh please?" I
thought "hmmmm" and said, "OK Mom, every day I am
going to make you laugh, since you like to hear me laugh."
And I have. It's not hard, I start singing a silly song or tell a
story and she starts giggling with me. I think my being silly and
laughing from time to time has helped her recovery. I decided to
hang a plaque outside my front door that says "Dark clouds
not allowed in this house. Leave your bad moods outside, or don't
bother to enter. Be prepared to LAUGH!"
I am looking forward to next year's vacation.....I just may make
a tape recording of my silliness for Mom to listen to when I am
away.
Peace to all of you!
Dee a.k.a. ESKIMODEE
From JRMLR
dear karen
thks for news letter,, i read the letters and i know we are not
alone ,
one day i will write and tell you about my experience with this
dreaded disease
my letter may be a bit different then most you receive , as my
wife is still in denial about her mom.,(my nana),she will not go
and visit her, and i doubt she ever will
pop pop goes and visits every other day , nana says she wants to
go home, but pop tells her not today , and she is fine with that
, she just smiles and says "ok" but soon..
after reading the 7 stages , nana is a close to a 6 .
i still get teary eyed when i think , i had to put her there, ,pop
had his kidney removed and no way he could take care of her, plus
he is 88 and the toll on him was too much .
nana is getting the care she needs, is clean again, relaxed, and
content.
the nurses and aides are wonderful special people, i could never
do their jobs. they all know nana , give her hugs, and truly care
about her.
i am sure this was the only and right decision ,people shd not
feel guilty. it is so much better than her sitting in her chair
day after day , just smiling and not talking,
take care
jrmlr
From Mtty82
I would like to know how to
get some one to let you bath her with out fussing about it
In short, my mom is 80, never got out much before AD, so she does
not like people. She smokes, watches some TV, and looks out the
window, I got her a bird today so she could watch it. Every day I
tell her its time to get dressed or wash up, she says, tomorrow
or she does not need it , so we go through a fussing period.
Could you send me some tips on how to deal with this. I have the
36 hr. book but it does not tell you how to deal with washing up,
eating, taking medicine etc
Thanks,
Mtty82@aol.com
Have a Relaxing and
Safe Labor Day!!
Hugs and Peace,
Karen (KMenges581)
and
Jamie (DrMOM1955)
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