Alzheimer's disease is an unresolved disease that mainly affects the elderly and is mainly known to cause forgetfulness.
Although Alzheimer's is incurable, patients can and should be treated to slow their progress and relieve symptoms, improving their quality of life and that of their families.
Alzheimer's disease is characterized as the loss of cognitive functions such as memory, attention, orientation and language resulting from the death of brain cells.
So far, it is not clear why this disease develops. Nevertheless, the researchers were able to identify three brain changes caused by Alzheimer's.
The first is the deposition of beta-amyloid protein, which is overproduced and accumulates in plaque form. The second change is the formation of neurofibrillary tangles.
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Finally, the third brain modification observed is the decrease in the number of neurons and the connections between them, which results in a reduction in brain size.
Meet the Alzheimer's patch distributed by SUS
One of the drugs used to treat Alzheimer's disease is rivastigmine, which helps lessen the symptoms of the disease. This substance was already available as capsules and drops, and now it is also available as an adhesive.
One of the advantages of the rivastigmine patch is that it has fewer side effects on the patient's digestive system, such as nausea and vomiting, than oral treatments.
Rivastigmine promotes an improvement in the patient's cognitive functions, as well as acting on disease changes on the patient's behavior. Is its mechanism of action inhibited by the enzyme cholinesterase, responsible for the degradation of acetylcholine? a neurotransmitter involved in memory.
The patch is indicated for patients with mild to moderately severe disease.
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Know which patients are entitled to the patch
According to the publication in the Federal Official Gazette, no class or range of patients to whom the Alzheimer's patch can be freely distributed by the SUS has been determined.
As a result, it is expected that all patients diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who receive the prescription for the patch will be able to remove it for free in the Unified Health System.
Alzheimer's Disease: A Family Disease
Changes in the life of Alzheimer's patients are a major challenge for their families.
In addition to patient forgetfulness, family members have to deal with a new routine, new tasks and a series of care that should be incorporated into their daily lives.
Changes in the behavior of a family member with Alzheimer's are a source of great frustration for the family, who often cannot accept that a loved one has irreversibly impaired cognitive functions.
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Thus, it is recommended that family caregivers of patients with Alzheimer's disease seek associations and support groups, which can offer guidance regarding care and support in the most difficult times.
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