Conditions

Treatment options Two types of drugs are currently used:  Cholinesterase inhibitors: Commonly prescribed cholinesterase inhibitors include Donepezil (Aricept), Galantamine (Razadyne) And Rivastigmine (Exelon). These drugs work by preventing the breakdown of the chemicals used for nerve cell communication in the brain and delay worsening of symptoms. The main side effects of these drugs include diarrhoea, nausea and sleep disturbances.  Memantine (Namenda): This drug works in another…

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease? The changes in behavior and understanding are different from those that normally happen as one ages. For instance, occasional lapses of memory occur in normal ageing, like sometimes forgetting where you left your things. It isn’t disabling. Whereas in Alzheimer’s, there is persistent disabling in intellectual abilities, like memory, language, judgment and abstract thinking. The patient may show some of the following symptoms: Memory changes and…

How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed? There's no specific test today that confirms you have Alzheimer's disease. It is mainly based on the information that the patient or family member provides and results of various tests that can help clarify the diagnosis.  To help distinguish Alzheimer's disease from other causes of memory loss, the following types of tests can be helpful: Medical history Neurological exam – Reflexes, coordination, muscle tone and strength, eye movement, speech,…

What causes Alzheimer’s disease? Scientists believe that for most people, Alzheimer's disease results from a combination of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors that affect the brain over time.   Although the causes of Alzheimer's are not yet fully understood, its effect on the brain is clear. Alzheimer's disease damages and kills brain cells.   As more and more brain cells die, Alzheimer's leads to significant brain shrinkage.  What are the risk factors for…

Dr. Pettarusp Wadia, Consultant Neurologist and Movement Disorder Specialist, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, speaks to Dr Shital Raval about the latest treatments to manage Parkinson’s Disease.  Is Parkinson's a genetic condition? In about 5% of the adult population and 25% of the young-onset Parkinson's disease population, a single gene can be identified. However research is on to identify if certain genes make a person more susceptible to develop…

What are Autism Spectrum Disorders Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of complex disorders with three core features: Qualitative impairment in social interaction Qualitative impairment in communication Restricted, repetitive and stereotypic patterns of behaviour, interests and activities. It is a complex neurological disorder that affects the functioning of the brain and, in particular, the processing of social information. This affects how a person sees and understands the world…

Depression can manifest itself in many different ways. Learn to recognise signs of depression in a friend or a family member.  Counsellor Animitra Ghatak shares the surprising signs of depression and how you can help.   Depression is a mood disorder that may affect any of us at some point in our lives. This can be triggered by setbacks in life, bereavement or a chronic illness. Depression is not just about feeling sad or down. It affects the mind and the body. It…

Maveen Pereira is a mother of a young adult on the autism spectrum. She tells you what to do when your child seems to be acting out tantrums or seems to be out of control. TANTRUMS: 1.       Be Prepared for one: It is important to know what triggers a tantrum, how long these normally last, how it is manifested (violence to self, violence to others, jumping,…), what would prevent one from happening (e.g. preparing the child for a change in the routine if change…

Is stress causing your eczema flare-up? Dr Gita Mathai suggests remedies for different triggers What is eczema? The name ‘eczema’ covers a broad spectrum of skin diseases all of which are characterised by itchy, red, crusting and scaling. The skin eventually becomes thickened and hyper pigmented.  What are the types of eczema? Atopic dermatitis is the commonest type of eczema. It is caused by various allergies. It affects 20% of children worldwide. Children can ‘outgrow’ eczema, it can…