Alzheimers disease

People with Alzheimer's disease change their behaviour – socially as well as personally. Alzheimer's disease affects the brain and first and foremost manifests itself in poor memory and a reduced ability to function in everyday life. The nerve cells in the brain tissue break down and there is less signal material to transport around the brain. These are the changes that cause altered behaviour in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Description

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease typically manifests itself in short-term memory deterioration, social life deteriorates and there may be signs of depression.

Alzheimer's disease and circadian rhythm disorders
People with Alzheimer's disease can – as a result of the disease – experience circadian rhythm disturbances to varying degrees.

In the USA, several trials have been conducted with institutionalised patients with Alzheimer's disease against circadian rhythm disturbances, where light therapy and melatonin have been used.

The first results have shown that the combination of light therapy and melatonin significantly reduces daytime sleepiness in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The regimen promotes their activity level and improves the ratio between their sleep needs during the day and sleep needs at night.

The combination of light therapy and melatonin can strengthen the circadian rhythm in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease and sleep glasses
If you take the preliminary American studies into account, you can try to improve the circadian rhythm in patients with Alzheimer's disease by giving them a combination of light therapy and melatonin.

MelaMedic recommends sleep glasses as a natural and side-effect-free alternative to melatonin tablets.

The Alzheimer's patient must have light therapy, e.g. from a light therapy lamp or a light visor, for one hour in the morning immediately after waking up.

In the evening, the Alzheimer's patient must wear sleep glasses for a few hours before normal bedtime. The total time during which the patient sleeps or wears sleep glasses should preferably be 10-11 hours.