Mainstream Med SKYROCKETS Dementia Death Risk 7x?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted February 2, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
If you have a loved one who has dementia, you know how bad it can be…
It’s not just the forgetfulness that’s hard on them (and you too!).
But anyone who has been a caregiver will tell you one of the most difficult things to see is agitation – which is when your loved one will “act out” by pacing, squirming, or saying inappropriate things.
It’s one of the saddest parts of dementia, as you watch someone you thought you knew become a totally different person.
And now new research has found that the number one mainstream solution for dementia not only doesn’t work… it could SKYROCKET your death risk up to 7x!
*****
If you were going to pick a drug to give to someone who is feeling nervous and agitated, antidepressants and antipsychotics might be at the top of your list.
But according to a new study in The Lancet, one antidepressant in particular could shorten the life of dementia patients dramatically.
The researchers in this study compared the use of an antidepressant called mirtazapine (Remeronsoltab, Remero) to a placebo, and found that the drug was nearly useless.
The same number of people who got the antidepressant were still agitated when compared to the placebo group.
But what really blew the minds of the research team was that there were seven times more deaths in the mirtazapine group compared to the placebo group…
And the study only lasted for 16 weeks!
This study expands on a previous study of antipsychotics such as Quetiapine, Olanzapine, Aripiprazole, which also raised the risk of death in people with dementia.
So, what can you do to help a loved one who is agitated?
Movement is the best treatment.
You probably know this for yourself as well – when you feel anxious, the best remedy is to move your body around.
Walking is always a good choice, but this can be difficult depending on where the patient lives – some care facilities are small and locked.
But you can get creative with movement: art, crafts, music and dancing are also good exercise.
If your loved one is in a facility, talk with the caregivers about adding is some type of movement to the daily routine. And make sure your review their medications.
P.S. Did you know that these three eye diseases could be a warning sign of dementia? Find out what they are right here.
SOURCES:
Maust DT, Kim HM, Seyfried LS, et al. Antipsychotics, Other Psychotropics, and the Risk of Death in Patients With Dementia: Number Needed to Harm. JAMA Psychiatry. 2015;72(5):438–445. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2014.3018 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/fullarticle/2203833
Melore, Chris. Common antidepressant shows no benefits, higher risk of death for dementia patients. 10/22/21. https://www.studyfinds.org/common-antidepressant-dementia/
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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