Problems with my dad

[MorelCabin]

That is puzzling...he really needs a good check up...but now days it is hard to find anyone who will take the time required to actually get to the bottom of these kinds of issues. He needs both a physical and mental examination

 

[mrbstephens]

That is puzzling...he really needs a good check up...but now days it is hard to find anyone who will take the time required to actually get to the bottom of these kinds of issues. He needs both a physical and mental examination

Yes, i agree. He'll need to see a neurologist for sure.

 

[Marianne]

That humming makes me go...well, hmmm.

I had a friend that started humming constantly. She said that she was totally unaware of it. She was in the earliest stages of alz then. Now my SIL is starting to hum - we had been wondering if she was starting to lose it a few months ago.

Maybe the humming is just something that people who live alone do? Or maybe a lot of people just do it as they age? Or is it a sign that part of the brain is checking out? I don't know.

All I do know is that mental illness leaves a wake of devastation in it's path when it's untreated (and sometimes treated). My father ended up commiting suicide to escape his pain, but the agony was still there for the survivors (primarily me) for years. In other situations, the relief that it's finally over can cause a lot of guilt, too.

Hang in there.

 

[freemotion]

Wow, sounds like pretty classic dementia. He needs a neuro-psych exam ASAP. It will be a simple series of questions and tasks (not simple for him though) and will be a start in determining which part of the brain is affected and will give some indication if it is likely Alzheimer's or vascular (stroke) dementia. It could be a bit of both.

You need to know. He needs to be on meds. It has been going on a long time, so the meds may or may not help, but they can be pretty amazing in some people. Can even restore some loss, and will slow the progression of the disease.

He should not be driving or traveling on his own. If he needs to, he should only be on direct flights and should be dropped off and picked up by someone who knows him, and the airline needs to be alerted to his needs.

There is a good book called The 36 Hour Day that you might find helpful.

Many people with dementia find that their head is "empty" and they can't originate a thought and it is very, very frightening, so constant sound or music is very helpful in calming them.

You have a tough road ahead of you.

 

[Wifezilla]

Have him draw a picture of a clock face. It is one of the tests they use to see how far someone is gone.

http://www.alzcare.net/alzheimers-new-braunfels-texas/clock-test-alzheimers-disease

 

[mrbstephens]

Ugh. Just found out my dad's apartment won't be ready for another week. My poor brother has to put up with him staying in his house till then. I would share in the burden, but I don't have a spare room. I do have to entertain and feed him for another week though.

 

[Holachicka]

Is his apartment in an assisted living building? A lot of times they have medical staff on hand, if so perhaps you could ask a nurse to give an opinion after observing him for a while. I'm so sorry you are having to go through this, I used to be a caregiver for the elderly and have seen firsthand how hard it can be for the family.

As hard as it is, you are doing the right thing by getting involved, because I have also seen how hard it can be on the elderly to be abandoned. I once watched a woman pack her mothers things into boxes, when I asked what she was doing, she said: Well, she's gonna die sometime right? might as well get started now. Her mother was perfectly healthy with a touch of dimentia.

Good job and feel free to vent about how annoying and hard it is!

~Sarah

 

[MorelCabin]

Check into pure coconut oil for him....it is supposed to really improve and often cure people with AZ or dementia

If you're looking for a natural cure for Alzheimer's you may be interested in this story....


A recent article in the St. Petersburg Times reports a woman improved her husband's symptoms of Alzheimer's with coconut oil.

Dr. Mary Newport had watched her husband Steve, slowly succumb to the ravaging effects of Alzheimer's disease. About 6 years ago he began struggling with daily tasks. He told his wife he didn't know what was happening and he felt confused.

An early diagnosis of Alzheimer's was made and he eventually tested positive for the gene that puts someone at a higher risk for developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Steve was put on several different medications to help slow the progression of the disease but his symptoms continued to get worse. He soon lost interest in eating and suffered dramatic weight loss; further worsening his condition.

Seeking a cure for Alzheimer's, Dr. Newport looked at clinical drug trials that could offer better results than the medications her husband was currently taking.



A fatty brain is a healthy brain
During her research, Dr. Newport discovered a new drug that showed amazing results - proven memory improvement.

"Most drugs talk about slowing the progression of the disease...but you never hear the word 'improvement.' Right then I knew I had to find out more," she said.

She uncovered the new drug's patent application on the internet and learned its primary ingredient was an oil made up of medium chain triglycerides, also known as MCT Oil.

Research has shown that Alzheimer's patient's brains have difficulty metabolizing glucose; the main source of energy for your brain. Without glucose your brain cells may die.

But scientists have discovered an alternative source of energy for your brain cells - special fats called ketones.

Dr. Theodore VanItallie, a medical doctor and professor emeritus at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City has been researching ketones for more than 35 years.

"Ketones are a high-energy fuel that nourishes the brain," VanItallie said, explaining that when you are starving, the body produces ketones naturally. When you eat MCT oil, the liver converts it into ketones. In fact, during the first few weeks of life, ketones provide about 25% of the energy newborn babies need to survive.



Coconut Oil - a natural cure for Alzheimer's?
Dr. Newport's research uncovered another startling fact - Virgin Coconut Oil is more than 60% MCT oil and the new study drug derived its oil from coconut trees.


Virgin Coconut Oil - an excellent
source of Medium Chain Triglycerides

Unfortunately, Steve was not accepted into the first clinical trial. His Alzheimer's symptoms worsened to the point he was unable to remember the season, month or day of the week. He now tested so low on mental examinations that his results categorized him with "severe" Alzheimer's.

"And then it hit me," she said. "Why don't we just try coconut oil as a dietary supplement? What have we got to lose? If the MCT oil in it worked for them, why couldn't it work for us?"

Though not a neurologist, Dr. Newport's medical background and classes in biochemistry in medical school helped her understand how MCT oil is converted into ketones and how it can help patients who can't metabolize glucose.

On the way home from work, she picked up a bottle of non-hydrogenated Virgin Coconut Oil at her local health food store. The patent application for the experimental drug included dosage information and she was able to convert the required dosage with some simple math.

The next morning she mixed 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil into her husband's oatmeal. On the way to the second drug screening she asked Steve what the day,month and year was - and he answered correctly!

"It was like the oil kicked in and he could think clearly again," Dr. Newport said. "We were ecstatic." Steve continued taking the oil everyday and by the fifth day there was tremendous improvement.

Seeking a Cure for Alzheimer's


After two weeks of taking coconut oil, Steve Newport's results in an early onset Alzheimer's test gradually improved says his wife, Dr. Mary Newport. Before treatment, Steve could barely remember how to draw a clock. Two weeks after adding coconut oil to his diet, his drawing improved. After 37 days, Steve's drawing gained even more clarity. Photo courtesy of St. Petersburg Times, Florida


More than 5 months later, Steve's tremors have stopped, the visual disturbances that prevented him from reading have disappeared, and he has become more social and interested in those around him.

Dr. Newport acknowledges that this may not be a cure for Alzheimer's, but she remarked, "It appears the oil is helping."

Other studies have shown the potential health benefits of ketones - A study in 2005 showed patients with Parkinson's disease reduced tremors & stiffness when they ate a ketogenic diet for one month.

While coconut oil may not be a cure for Alzheimer's disease, it does offer many benefits to one's diet. It's non-hydrogenated and is high in lauric acid, a potent antimicrobial. Among the many health benefits of coconut oil is its ability to balance your cholesterol levels and improve your skin and hair.

It's important to consult your physician before trying coconut oil at home. Ingesting too much of one type of fat can be dangerous and could cause diarrhea and vomiting. This article is not advocating that the above information is a cure for Alzheimer's disease; it is a report of one person's experiences with coconut oil.


http://www.healthy-oil-planet.com/cure-for-alzheimers.html

 

[mrbstephens]

Check into pure coconut oil for him....it is supposed to really improve and often cure people with AZ or dementia

If you're looking for a natural cure for Alzheimer's you may be interested in this story....


A recent article in the St. Petersburg Times reports a woman improved her husband's symptoms of Alzheimer's with coconut oil.

Dr. Mary Newport had watched her husband Steve, slowly succumb to the ravaging effects of Alzheimer's disease. About 6 years ago he began struggling with daily tasks. He told his wife he didn't know what was happening and he felt confused.

An early diagnosis of Alzheimer's was made and he eventually tested positive for the gene that puts someone at a higher risk for developing early-onset Alzheimer's disease.

Steve was put on several different medications to help slow the progression of the disease but his symptoms continued to get worse. He soon lost interest in eating and suffered dramatic weight loss; further worsening his condition.

Seeking a cure for Alzheimer's, Dr. Newport looked at clinical drug trials that could offer better results than the medications her husband was currently taking.



A fatty brain is a healthy brain
During her research, Dr. Newport discovered a new drug that showed amazing results - proven memory improvement.

"Most drugs talk about slowing the progression of the disease...but you never hear the word 'improvement.' Right then I knew I had to find out more," she said.

She uncovered the new drug's patent application on the internet and learned its primary ingredient was an oil made up of medium chain triglycerides, also known as MCT Oil.

Research has shown that Alzheimer's patient's brains have difficulty metabolizing glucose; the main source of energy for your brain. Without glucose your brain cells may die.

But scientists have discovered an alternative source of energy for your brain cells - special fats called ketones.

Dr. Theodore VanItallie, a medical doctor and professor emeritus at the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York City has been researching ketones for more than 35 years.

"Ketones are a high-energy fuel that nourishes the brain," VanItallie said, explaining that when you are starving, the body produces ketones naturally. When you eat MCT oil, the liver converts it into ketones. In fact, during the first few weeks of life, ketones provide about 25% of the energy newborn babies need to survive.



Coconut Oil - a natural cure for Alzheimer's?
Dr. Newport's research uncovered another startling fact - Virgin Coconut Oil is more than 60% MCT oil and the new study drug derived its oil from coconut trees.


Virgin Coconut Oil - an excellent
source of Medium Chain Triglycerides

Unfortunately, Steve was not accepted into the first clinical trial. His Alzheimer's symptoms worsened to the point he was unable to remember the season, month or day of the week. He now tested so low on mental examinations that his results categorized him with "severe" Alzheimer's.

"And then it hit me," she said. "Why don't we just try coconut oil as a dietary supplement? What have we got to lose? If the MCT oil in it worked for them, why couldn't it work for us?"

Though not a neurologist, Dr. Newport's medical background and classes in biochemistry in medical school helped her understand how MCT oil is converted into ketones and how it can help patients who can't metabolize glucose.

On the way home from work, she picked up a bottle of non-hydrogenated Virgin Coconut Oil at her local health food store. The patent application for the experimental drug included dosage information and she was able to convert the required dosage with some simple math.

The next morning she mixed 2 tablespoons of virgin coconut oil into her husband's oatmeal. On the way to the second drug screening she asked Steve what the day,month and year was - and he answered correctly!

"It was like the oil kicked in and he could think clearly again," Dr. Newport said. "We were ecstatic." Steve continued taking the oil everyday and by the fifth day there was tremendous improvement.

Seeking a Cure for Alzheimer's


After two weeks of taking coconut oil, Steve Newport's results in an early onset Alzheimer's test gradually improved says his wife, Dr. Mary Newport. Before treatment, Steve could barely remember how to draw a clock. Two weeks after adding coconut oil to his diet, his drawing improved. After 37 days, Steve's drawing gained even more clarity. Photo courtesy of St. Petersburg Times, Florida


More than 5 months later, Steve's tremors have stopped, the visual disturbances that prevented him from reading have disappeared, and he has become more social and interested in those around him.

Dr. Newport acknowledges that this may not be a cure for Alzheimer's, but she remarked, "It appears the oil is helping."

Other studies have shown the potential health benefits of ketones - A study in 2005 showed patients with Parkinson's disease reduced tremors & stiffness when they ate a ketogenic diet for one month.

While coconut oil may not be a cure for Alzheimer's disease, it does offer many benefits to one's diet. It's non-hydrogenated and is high in lauric acid, a potent antimicrobial. Among the many health benefits of coconut oil is its ability to balance your cholesterol levels and improve your skin and hair.

It's important to consult your physician before trying coconut oil at home. Ingesting too much of one type of fat can be dangerous and could cause diarrhea and vomiting. This article is not advocating that the above information is a cure for Alzheimer's disease; it is a report of one person's experiences with coconut oil.


http://www.healthy-oil-planet.com/cure-for-alzheimers.html

A very interesting article! Maybe I could slip some coconut oil in his ice cream!

 

[Wannabefree]

I'm going to get some virgin coconut Oil for my aunt. She has it and has the bad gene. Hers is early onset right now, so this could really help her too. Thanks for that very interesting article!