30 The Courier sun • SENIOR LIVING • APRIL 18, 2013 for breaking news visit www.couriersun.com senior living s Help may ease Alzheimer’s symptoms Whether a patient faces a simple health problem, such as a head cold, or one as complex as Alzheimer’s disease, relieving the symptoms is often as important as resolving the issue itself. Yet for the more than 5 million Americans affected by Alzheimer’s, treating the symptoms is even more vital. Some of the early signs of Alzheimer’s include memory loss that disrupts daily life, mood and personality changes, and difficulty solving otherwise simple daily tasks. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Of the top 10 causes of death, it is the only one for which there is no cure or preventive measure. However, research suggests that addressing one early facet of the disease - decreased blood sugar in brain cells, also known as diminished cerebral glucose metabolism (DCGM) - may help relieve symptoms for certain people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. In a healthy brain, glucose is the primary energy source. A brain affected by Alzheimer’s doesn’t process glucose into energy as efficiently as a healthy brain. “Unlike other cells in the body that can metabolize fats as fuel, brain cells rely on glucose (sugar) for their primary energy source,” says Dr. Richard S. Isaacson, associate professor of clinical neurology and vice chair of education at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine. “One aspect of Alzheimer’s is that it hinders the brain’s ability to use glucose, and this significantly affects brain function.” “DCGM is an early feature of Alzheimer’s disease, represented by region-specific declines in brain glucose - or energy - metabolism,” Isaacson says. “DCGM correlates with both the cognitive decline and the pathology associated with Alzheimer’s. Research suggests that addressing DCGM may help mitigate symptoms for some patients. Providing brain cells with an alternative energy source may help ease the effects of DCGM, while enhancing memory and cognitive function in Alzheimer’s patients. “More research is necessary to determine the exact reasons why DCGM can have profound effects on cognition over the long term,” Isaacson says. “When blood glucose drops rapidly, significant decline in cognitive function occurs and may be accompanied by confusion, coma and even brain death.” To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, visit www.alz.org, the website of the Alzheimer’s Association. Courtesy BPT A To Z Medical Care P.C. No Appointment Necessary SERVICES PROVIDED: • Rehabilitation • Internal Medicine • Sports Medicine • Orthopedic • Physiatrist • Pain Management • Physical Therapy • Chiropractic Treatment • Acupuncture • Weight Management We Treat Neck & Back Pain, Spine Injuries, Post-Surgical Rehabilitation, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, Muscle Sprains/Strains, Meniscal Tears, Disc Herniations and Displacements, Nerve Damage And More. 92-05 Rockaway Blvd., 1st Fl, Ozone Park, NY 11417 (Under Dental Offi ce) 347-475-0078 Monday – Friday 10am-8pm WE ACCEPT MOST MAJOR INURANCES, PERSONAL INJURY (CAR ACCIDENTS, NO-FAULT), INJURY AT WORK (WORKER’S COMPENSATION), SLIP & FALL ACCIDENTS.
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