Painkillers 'lowered agitation' in dementia patients

Using analgesics to treat dementia patients could lower levels of agitation, new results show.

In a study detailed in a BMJ podcast, Kings College researchers treated some dementia patients with painkillers while others received typical dementia care.

The patients taking pain relief medication experienced a significant improvement in agitation.

Moreover, this effect deteriorated following the cessation of the treatment with analgesics.

Professor Clive Ballard from the university said: "Although in this particular trial it wasn't compared to another treatment, if you look at the literature around anti-psychotic treatment for example, that is actually a bigger effect than you see with anti-psychotics."

Meanwhile, research published in journal Stroke has reported that obesity could increase dementia risk.

Having clogged arteries could affect the amount of blood flowing towards the brain, increasing the chances of developing the neurodegenerative condition.

This indicates that eating a healthy diet, maintaining a normal weight and partaking in physical activities could help to stave off the disease.

Find out about dementia care and support services at Barchester care homes.