Gastric bypass surgery — Find out if you're a candidate for this weight-loss surgery.
It's always best to lose weight through a healthy diet and regular physical activity. But if you're among those who have tried and can't lose the excess weight that's causing your health problems, weight-loss (bariatric) surgery may be an option.
Gastric bypass surgery — one type of bariatric surgery — changes the anatomy of your digestive system to limit the amount of food you can eat and digest. Weight loss is achieved by restricting the amount of food that your stomach can hold and by reducing the amount of calories that are absorbed.
Gastric bypass surgery isn't for everyone, however. It's a major procedure that poses significant risks and side effects and requires permanent changes in your lifestyle. An extensive and careful screening process determines whether you're a candidate for this surgery.
Cholinesterase inhibitors
Alzheimer's disease changes the brain in many ways. One of the changes results in a decrease in the levels of acetylcholine, a chemical messenger that's believed to be important for alertness, memory, thought and judgment. Cholinesterase inhibitors are a type of drug that improves the effectiveness of acetylcholine either by increasing the amount of it in the brain or by enhancing nerve cells' response to it.
Cholinesterase inhibitors work best in the early to middle stages of Alzheimer's, although at least one study has reported improvements in cognition and behavior in people who have moderate to severe Alzheimer's.
In clinical studies, on average, all cholinesterase inhibitors work equally well. But in individuals, one cholinesterase inhibitor may work better or produce fewer side effects than does another. Side effects can include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Memantine for later stages
Memantine (Namenda) is the first drug to be approved by the FDA for treatment of moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It works by regulating the activity of glutamate, a messenger chemical involved in all brain function — including learning and memory. Its most common side effect is dizziness.
People with moderate Alzheimer's may experience even better results by taking memantine along with a cholinesterase inhibitor.
Last Updated: 10/05/2007
