Tips For Treating Pick's Disease

Treatment For Nutritional Deficiencies

Nutritional deficiencies are quite common in Pick's disease patients and can result from many causes including medications and the symptoms themselves. For example, Pick's patients generally experience confusion, disorientation, irritability, aggression, and depression. These may all lead to loss of appetite and an inability to eat a balanced diet. Patients simply may not wish to eat, and in the later stages of Pick's disease, they may forget how to feed themselves. Treatment for nutritional deficiencies can help these patients have a higher quality of life for as long as possible. Blood tests can be performed to identify the specific deficiencies. Treatments include supplements and nutritionally balanced meal replacement shakes or bars. As the disease progresses, doctors can monitor patients nutritional status and may recommend intravenous or tube feeding. Particularly in the early stages of Pick's disease, loved ones and caregivers can help patients by cooking higher calorie versions of the patient's favorite foods and encouraging them to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. If needed, fruits and vegetables can be blended up into smoothies or soups to make them easier to swallow.