Early Intervention Available For Alzheimer’s Patients (NAPSA)—Researchers havediscovered a numberof medications and care methods that can be used to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD). disease. It is important to be examined by a doctor for a proper diagnosis. There is currently no cure for AD, but there are steps that can Early diagnosis, however,is key for be taken to make life easier for the patient and the caregiver. Medications known as cholinesterase inhibitors are available delaying the progress of disease symptoms. This is why it is impor- tant to see a doctorat thefirst sign of a problem. AD is a progressive disease of the brain characterized by a grad- to treat many of the symptoms of mild to moderate AD. Your doctor can tell you if a cholinesterase ual loss of memory and other men- tal functions. It is the most common form of dementia, a general inhibitor, such as EXELON” (riva- Linda Dano sh person term referring to loss of memory and the ability to think, reason, function, and behave appropriately. The risk ofAD increases with age. Symptoms To Watch For The ten warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease include: 1. Forgetting things often—such as job skills more 2. Putting things in strange places—such as leaving keys in the sink or an iron in the freezer 3. Problems with complicated tasks—such as balancing a checkbook 4. Disorientation of time and place, or forgetting dates and how to get to familiar destinations like one’s own home 5. Sudden changes in mood or behavior—such as going from being calm, to anger to tears for no apparent reason 6. Problems doing familiar things—such as being continu- ally challenged by the task of buttoning a shirt or other simple tasks of daily living Photo: Yolanda Perez, Hair and Makeup: Christina Liberatore If someone has Alzheimer’s disease, the sooner he or she is screened, the sooner treatments can slow the progression of symptoms,a free kit advises. 7. Forgetting common words or using the wrong words 8. Having a major change in personality—such as becoming confused, suspicious or afraid 9. Losing interest in doing things—losing interest quickly if not encouraged 10. Doing things that don’t seem to make sense See Your Doctor Many of these symptoms can be signs of other conditions, rang- ing from nutritional deficiencies to depression. Normal aging may also cause a decline in the ability to remember names, places, and objects, as can strokes and heart stigmine tartrate), or other treatmentis right for you. Exelon use is associated with significant stomach-related side effects, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. For more information, please see complete prescribing information at www.AlzheimersDisease.com. Free Kit To Send For To help people cope, ABC tele- vision personality Linda Dano, who cared for her father as he battled AD, is joining forces with the National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) and Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corp. to pro- vide a free Caregiver Survival Kit containing useful information and resources. The NFCA is a grass roots organization created to educate, support, em- power and speak up for the mil- lions of Americans who care for chronically ill, aged or disabled loved ones. You can send for the free kit by calling Novartis at 1-877-439-3566 or visiting www.nfcacares.org. Note to Editors: EXELON is approved for mild to moderate AD. EXELON useis associated with significant stomach-related side effects, including nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and weight loss. If therapy is interrupted for longer than several days, treatment should be reinitiated with the lowest daily dose in order to avoid the possibility of severe vomiting and its potentially serious consequences. In clinical studies, Sstomach-related side effects occurred more frequently as doses were increased. The weight loss associated with EXELON occurred more commonly among womenreceiving high doses in clinical studies. Because these side effects can be serious, caregivers should be encouraged to monitor for these adverse events and inform the physician if they occur. People at risk for certain heart conditions or stomach ulcers should notify their doctor before starting EXELON therapy. In clinical studies, some patients also experience fainting, weakness and upset stomach. For more information, please see complete prescribing information at www.AlzheimersDisease.com. EXL9565
