My mother suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. She lives near me in a small private care facility, where she receives full-time care and has a good quality of life. When she was still living in her home, but slowly succumbing to the disease, she always had multiple bottles of Costco-sized “over-the-counter” medications throughout her home.
Excedrin PM, Benadryl, hay-fever medications, and Tylenol PM, to name a few. Unfortunately, this was part of the hoarding syndrome that came with the early stages of the disease. She became very angry if I tried to “de-clutter”, and throwing away medications would not be tolerated.
When sharing this information with her physician during a routine appointment, I was shocked to learn that many medications are “poison” to a declining brain. My Internet research confirmed the physician’s warning: many of these medications block the neurotransmitter called acetylcholine in the brain and body. This basically stops electrical impulses between nerve cells. Several recent studies show not only detrimental affects on a brain affected by Alzheimer’s disease, but some over the counter medications also have been linked to an increased risk of developing the disease.
My grandfather (who died years ago) and mother have been affected by this horrific disease. As a baby boomer who has extensive personal experience, and who practices Elder Law and Elder Rights, I am very aware of the heartbreaking and tragic path of Alzheimer’s disease. It is reaching epidemic proportions. Because no cure is in sight, each of us must do everything in our power to protect our own healthy brains. Each and every one of us should, at a minimum, do the following: 1) Be aware of this study, and if you are taking these type of medications, discuss them with your doctor; 2) Watch your blood pressure, as Vascular dementia affects millions of people; 3) Feed your brain and body with good, wholesome food free from chemicals, processing, and pesticides; 4) Get that blood moving that carries oxygen to the brain, meaning exercise; and 5) Use it (your brain) or lose it. And, if you have a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, watch for these medications in their home.
The McNamara Law Firm, PC, may be reached at 661-287-3260. Our websites are: www.theMcNamaraLawFirm.com and www.VAbenefits4seniors.com.