Alzheimer’s disease is a common disease in the elderly. It is very common that it is estimated that 1 in 14 people above the age of 65 and 1 in every 6 people above the age of 80 is affected by the disease. In Malaysia alone, 8.5% of older people here live with dementia. Furthermore, it is projected that in 2050, dementia cases may increase up to 312 percent. This can mean two things: One, the healthcare system and information on health is sophisticated enough that many old people can actually live long enough compared to previous generations of the past and two, the growing ageing population leads to many people with many medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease. By knowing these two things, we now know that while many people do have a long life, they are also living with many diseases. There are many drugs that can improve conditions in people with Alzheimer’s disease such as the Exelon patch.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive disease and is known to be caused by the ageing process itself. This means that everyone that grows older has the same chances of being affected by Alzheimer’s disease. The ageing process itself leads to changes of the brain structures along with its brain chemical known as neurotransmitter. These changes lead to the symptoms associated with poor cognitive function such as memory, alertness and learning skills that deteriorate. Drugs such as Exelon patch contain rivastigmine which is proven to help restore the neurotransmitters and brain functions. Rivastigmine has also been proven to improve the ability to walk and stand. This in turn can reduce the risk of falls in patients especially in people with Parkinson disease.
Alzheimer’s disease itself often leads old people to act like a child. This is because they tend to forget what they have learnt as an adult. People with Alzheimer’s disease are commonly associated with poor memory skills. They tend to forget things and forget people or their surroundings. Here raises a question of the Exelon patch, does it improve memory? Yes, it does. Rivastigmine in the Exelon patch works by increasing the level of the brain chemical known as acetylcholine. Increased acetylcholine leads to more nerve cells being able to communicate. This action alone may have improved the symptoms of dementia. Rivastigmine itself is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. It works by preventing the enzyme inside the brain known as the acetylcholinesterase from breaking down the acetylcholine. This helps increase the level of the acetylcholine inside the brain.
In essence, Exelon does improve memory. This is because of the high number of acetylcholine in the brain leading to the brain to function better. This helps to not only improve memory but also other brain cognitive functions. Unfortunately, Exelon may not cure Alzheimer’s disease itself as there is no known cure available to reverse the ageing process and the damage it has caused. Exelon should be considered as a drug that slows down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease but not stop the nature of the disease from affecting the patient. It is important to talk about early Alzheimer’s disease symptoms with a doctor. They can help prescribe you medicine that can improve the symptom and slows down the progression of the disease. You are able to have a fulfilling life and age gracefully knowing you have taken an early step to get diagnosed at an early stage. It is worth noting that Alzheimmer’s disease not only affects the patient but also people around them. This is why it is important to fully understand how to treat Alzheimer’s disease so that both patients and their caretaker can have a great life.
Now that you have understood how Exelon works on people with dementia symptoms, you may want to know more about this medication to ensure that you are using it properly. Exelon patch can be found in different doses of rivastigmine which is 4.6 mg, 9.5 mg and 13.3 mg. These doses are usually prescribed by healthcare professionals based on the doctor’s evaluation of the severity of the symptoms. It is important to make sure you are receiving the exact same dose of Exelon patch you always use before unless there are changes in the dose made by your doctor. If you feel unsure why you are receiving a different dose than usual, you can always ask your healthcare provider that prescribes it. It is important to use an Exelon patch as directed by the doctor.
Exelon patch usually is taken once a day. You should replace the used patch with a new one every 24 hours. If you forgot to use the patch as directed by the doctor, do ask your healthcare provider first because you may need specific instructions before restarting to use the patch. You should not be using more than one patch at a time. It is advisable to not use this patch on damaged skin such as irritated or reddish skin or cuts on skin. There could be potential side effects that may or may not affect you. Common side effects include loss of appetite, dizziness, nausea and diarrhoea. Should there be side effects or unwanted effects not mentioned above, do seek medical advice immediately. If you are diagnosed with other medical conditions, do let your healthcare provider know as this is important to prevent potential side effects and drug interaction with other medicine.
