In the elderly, Alzheimer’s disease is among the common ones as it is estimated that 1 in 14 people above the age of 65 and 1 in every 6 people who is 80 years old or older, will have this condition. In Malaysia alone, 8.5% of the elderly population is affected by dementia. Dementia cases may increase up to 312 percent as estimated in the year of 2050. This translates into two conditions : First, many old people are able to live a long life thanks to the presence of a good healthcare system and vast information on health in general. Second, there is an ageing population which means that many more people will be affected by medical conditions such as Azlheimer’s disease itself. Now that we know these two things, it’s clear to us that there are many people in this world who have long lives but also suffer from a number of diseases. Medicine such as Exelon patch can greatly improve the life of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease which is mediated by the ageing process itself. With this fact, everyone who grows older will have the same chances of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Changes in brain structure and a brain chemical called neurotransmitters are caused by the ageing process itself. These changes can lead to symptoms associated with poor cognitive function such as memory loss, alertness and learning difficulties. Rivastigmine is an ingredient in medicines such as Exelon patches that has been shown to help improve neurotransmitter and brain function. It was also shown that Rivastigmine enhanced the capacity for walking and standing. In turn, it can reduce the risk of falls by patients with Parkinson’s disease in particular.
Alzheimer’s disease itself often causes a person to behave childish. That’s because they’re more concerned with forgetting what they learned at a young age. People with Alzheimer’s disease have poor memory skills. They’re so preoccupied with forgetting things, they forget people and their surroundings. It raises questions about the Exelon patch’s effect on memory, isn’t it? Yeah, it’s true. Rivastigmine increases acetylcholine levels in the brain, which is why it works on the Exelon patch. A higher acetylcholine level results in more nerve cells being able to communicate. This may improve the symptoms of dementia on its own. There is an inhibitor of acetylcholinesterase in rivastigmine itself. It prevents acetylcholine from being broken down by an enzyme in the brain known as acetylcholinesterase. That’ll help to raise acetylcholine levels in the brain.
You’re supposed to wear your Exelon patch once a day. That means every 24 hours you have to replace your patch with a new one. Please inform your healthcare provider if you have accidentally used the patch in an incorrect manner, as some special instructions may need to be followed prior to using it again. At any time, do not apply more than one patch at a time. You should not use this patch on a damaged skin like redness, irritation or cuts to your skin. Tell your healthcare provider if you experience a bad skin reaction after applying the patch, so that he or she can assess and provide alternatives.
The Exelon patch may also have side effects, as with any other medicinal product. Dizziness, nausea, a loss of appetite and diarrhoea are the major side effects. Do not forget, the risks of side effects are outweighed by the benefit of medicinal products recommended by your doctor. If you experience serious side effects such as severe abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat, black stool or vomiting and losing consciousness, please seek medical attention promptly.
Due to the fact that Exelon seems to be worn by the elderly, it is common that patients who use Exelon are diagnosed with hypertension or high blood pressure. You probably wonder if Exelon causes high blood pressure. Most studies show that there is no concrete association of rivastigmine contained in the Exelon patch with occurrence of high blood pressure. However, those who do have hypertension or heart disease need to be careful when using Exelon patch as antihypertensive drugs such as beta blockers may react with Exelon patch.
In essence, Exelon does improve memory. It is due to the high level of acetylcholine in the brain, which enables it to function better. This can help to enhance memory, as well as other cognitive functions in the brain. Despite Exelon seeming promising for patients, Exelon may not cure Alzheimer’s disease. This is because no known cure is available to reverse the ageing process and the existing damages. Exelon should be treated as drugs that slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease but not in any way that is able to stop the progression of the disease.
It is important to have a discussion with a doctor if you or someone you know starts to have symptoms related to Alzheimer’s disease. They can prescribe you a medicine that could help alleviate your symptoms and slow the disease’s progression. Taking steps to get diagnosed at an early stage is the best way to live better with the condition. You should remember that Alzheimmer’s disease can affect both patients and those around them.
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