Managing And Treating Binswanger's Disease

Binswanger's disease (BD), also known as subcortical vascular dementia, is a degenerative condition that affects the brain. This disease is progressive and occurs when layers of white matter located in the brain are damaged. The culprit to this damage is atherosclerosis, which is a cardiovascular condition where the arteries thicken and constrict. Binswanger's disease develops when the arteries that provide sustenance to the subcortical areas of the brain are obstructed. As a result, the brain tissues in this area die off, and the patient experiences a series of neurological and mental symptoms. The most common symptom of Binswanger's disease is a decrease in psychomotor skills. Other symptoms include forgetfulness and mood changes.

There is no cure for Binswanger's disease, but there are ways to treat it.

Antidepressant Medication

Antidepressant medication is used to treat the symptoms of Binswanger's disease. Often, individuals suffering from this condition experience mood and personality changes, including developing feelings of depression. Depression, a mental illness, leaves the individual feeling sad or emotionless for a prolonged period. It also causes the individual to lose interest in many activities they once enjoyed. A depressed individual can feel withdrawn, inactive and helpless. Serotonin-specific reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are a special type of antidepressant drugs that are effective in treating depression caused by Binswanger's disease. Popular SSRIs are citalopram and sertraline. Visiting a professional care provider can help to determine which antidepressant medication is right for the patient with Binswanger's disease.

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Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs

Atypical antipsychotic drugs are effective in treating behavioral symptoms tied with dementia. This type of medication treats forgetfulness and slows down the progressive worsening of mental confusion. Prevalent symptoms Binswanger's disease patients experience are forgetfulness and confusion. Individuals with Binswanger's disease also suffer from behavioral changes, like intense feelings of agitation, irritability, and anxiety. Atypical antipsychotic drugs are beneficial in decreasing feelings of agitation because they lower the dopamine level in the brain. In general, high dopamine levels are known to increase agitation and restlessness in an individual. Effective atypical antipsychotic medication used to treats symptoms of Binswanger's disease are clozapine, loxapine, risperidone, and olanzapine.

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Manage Hypertension

Hypertension is a common affliction that affects the cardiovascular system of the body. It is a medical condition where the blood pressure in the arteries is chronically high. Over time, this high blood pressure can lead to a plethora of health complications. One complication is the development of atherosclerosis, which is a direct cause of Binswanger's disease. Therefore, it is crucial to manage hypertension and make healthy lifestyle decisions to lower high blood pressure. Implement healthy lifestyle habits like exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced diet, and limiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages. Engaging in all these types of activities can help maintain a healthy weight and prevent high blood pressure from developing.

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Quit Smoking

Cigarette smoking contains many cancerous and harmful chemicals that can be detrimental to the body. It causes damage to the heart and causes plaque to build up in the blood vessels. Smoking makes the blood thicker, and as a result, clots can easily form in the arteries and veins. Cigarette smoking is a major contributor to the development of atherosclerosis. Since we know atherosclerosis can lead to Binswanger's disease, it is important to refrain from or quit smoking. Prevention is the key and quitting can improve the cardiovascular system, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis. After five years of the quitting, a smoker will regain a healthy heart, blood vessels, and arteries.

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Diabetes Management

Diabetes is not the sole contributor to the development of Binswanger's disease, but it is crucial to managing blood sugar and not let it get out of control. Diabetes management can decelerate the progression of Binswanger's disease. Monitoring diet and making healthier food choices can have a positive impact on an individual's blood glucose and insulin levels. Limiting or abstaining from saturated fats, trans fats, and refined sugars and carbohydrates are highly recommended when managing diabetes. Instead of drinking soda and juice, patients should drink more water. They should also try eating foods with whole grains, skim milk and cheese, fruits, and vegetables. Everyone should also try to switch out white rice and white bread for brown rice and whole wheat bread. Refined carbs, like white bread and rice, can cause blood sugar levels to spike and eventually cause diabetes if these choices are not controlled and managed. Diabetes can aggravate Binswanger's disease, so it's important to maintain a well-balanced, low sugar, and high fiber diet.