Agitation of Dementia
Agitation is a behavioral symptom affecting 30% to 50% of people with dementia. If you or your loved one struggles with agitation of dementia, medical marijuana recommended by the registered providers at Kaya Life may offer the solution you need to calm the stress and ease agitation. After evaluating your condition and verifying you have dementia-related agitation, they give you a written certification allowing you to obtain medical marijuana. To learn more, call the office in Gulfport, Mississippi, or request an appointment today through online booking.
What is agitation of dementia?
Dementia develops when brain damage affects memory and brain function, causing chronic (long-lasting) changes severe enough to disrupt daily functioning.
Agitation, a common symptom of dementia, may appear at any stage but occurs with increasing frequency and severity as dementia progresses to an advanced stage.
Agitated people feel restless, worried, anxious, and distressed. They may need to move around or become verbally or physically aggressive, even when those behaviors are not typical.
What causes agitation of dementia?
Agitation occurs when the brain areas that regulate emotions and make sense of the environment stop working at full capacity.
Dementia’s challenges also cause agitation. Confusion alone could trigger the problem. People with dementia often have difficulty sleeping and struggle with anxiety, depression, and sensory sensitivities — problems that trigger agitation.
As dementia progresses, many changes occur that contribute to agitation, from losing a driver’s license or independence to developing incontinence and being unable to express physical pain.
Sundowning frequently leads to behavioral challenges as it gets dark in the evening. Behavioral problems could also be a side effect of medications for dementia and other chronic diseases.
How is agitation of dementia treated?
Behavioral therapy is the preferred treatment for agitation of dementia. The person with dementia and their family learn tips for managing their challenges and creating an environment that lowers the risk of triggering problems.
Rexulti® is approved for treating agitation of dementia. This is an atypical antipsychotic drug that improves agitation by restoring brain chemicals. However, Rexulti and other atypical antipsychotics considered for dementia come with a safety warning: They increase the risk of death in patients with dementia-related psychosis.
How does medical marijuana treat agitation of dementia?
Medical marijuana reduces agitation, aggression, and anxiety in people with dementia. This treatment works because marijuana activates the body’s natural endocannabinoid system, which is known to regulate stress, agitation, and moods.
Further evidence of medical marijuana’s effectiveness is the fact that the Mississippi Medical Cannabis Act includes agitation of dementia on its list of qualifying conditions.
If you want to consider medical marijuana for yourself or a loved one, our registered providers at Kaya Life can determine if you qualify. With their certification, you can apply for the card needed to purchase marijuana.
Call Kaya Life or book a consultation online today to learn more about marijuana for agitation of dementia.
