Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte –
Alzheimer’s disease is something that is understood by few and yet feared by many. Many think that because there is not currently a “cure” for Alzheimer’s disease, there is nothing that can be done. This is not the case. Although the onset of Alzheimer’s disease cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis allows people with dementia and their families:
- A better chance of benefiting from treatment
- More time to plan for the future
- Lessened anxieties about unknown problems
- Increased chances of participating in clinical drug trials, helping advance research
- An opportunity to participate in decisions about care, transportation, living options, financial and legal matters
- Time to develop a relationship with doctors and care partners
- Benefit from care and support services, making it easier for them and their family to manage the disease. Alzheimer’s Navigator can help identify needs and create action plans. (alz.org)
Diagnosing Alzheimer’s
The reality is that just because someone forgets things or appears confused, it does not necessarily mean that they have Alzheimer’s. Differentiation of normal aging forgetfulness and Alzheimer’s or dementia is difficult to do and must be done by a physician. There is no single test that can show whether a person has Alzheimer’s. While physicians can almost always determine if a person has dementia, it may be difficult to determine the exact cause. Diagnosing Alzheimer’s requires careful medical evaluation, including: a complete medical history, mental status testing, both a physical and neurological exam, and medical tests.
About FDA-Approved Amyvid
Earlier this year, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of Amyvid for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. Amyvid is a drug that is manufactured by Cardinal Health. The Amyvid binds to the amyloid plaques in the brain. If a patient has amyloid plaques present in their brain, then they have Alzheimer’s disease. Conversely, if there is no evidence of amyloid plaque in the brain, then the patient is not suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
Advanced Imaging has Prestigious Designation to Perform Amyvid Exams
Advanced Imaging has the prestigious designation of being one of the few imaging centers in the southeastern United States to be approved to perform Amyvid exams. Once your physician has ordered an Amyvid exam, Advanced Imaging will contact the patient to have a pre-exam consult. The exam itself consists of the patient coming into the office and receiving the Amyvid injection. After the injection, the patient will wait between 30 and 50 minutes before completing the PET scan portion. The PET scan itself should take approximately ten minutes. The entire exam should take approximately an hour to complete. The exam should not cause any discomfort to the patient. Once the results are complete, the ordering physician will contact the patient with the results. It is important to maintain follow up care with the physician in order to determine the level of Alzheimer’s as well as to discuss the types of treatment and support available.
Contact Advanced Imaging at 941-245-4646 for more information on Amyvid or any other imaging needs. For your convenience, Advanced Imaging is open from 7-7, Monday through Saturday.
Advanced Imaging of Port Charlotte
2625 Tamiami Trail, Suite 1, Port Charlotte, Florida 33952
941-235-4646
www.advimaging.com
