What is a Sundown Syndrome?
People with dementia generally suffer from this syndrome which is similar and identifies with the Alzheimer’s disease. Sundown syndrome is recognized with the beginning of perplexity and agitation which is common for the people suffering from the dementia which is also called the lewy body disease. This syndrome is noted during the afternoons and early evenings. People without semantic dementia are also potentially exposed to this syndrome though it is linked to dementia in majority of the cases.
Sundown Syndrome Symptoms
The sun downing symptoms are associated with anguish and rapid mood changes of the patients. Elderly are considered to be the risk groups as age is one of the primary risk factor. The common symptoms are fear, anger, agitation, stubbornness and restlessness. These are generic symptoms which can be handled by the care givers at home. There are many difficult symptoms including hallucinations, violence and wondering which are very tough to be handled by primary care givers. Shadowing is another critical symptom of these patients suffering from the sundown syndrome.
Treatment
There are standard medications preferred to treat the symptoms which are basically targeted towards easing the anxiety and pain associated with it. There are other management measures like exposing to music therapies and natural therapies to prevent the wavering moods and behaviors. Aromatherapy treatments are also being adapted to calm agitation.
Prevention
Though there are no definite prescribed measures of prevention of sundown syndrome, there are best practices suggested to the care givers to prevent the patients from worsening the condition. Memory walls are very effective in trying to recapture events. It is very important not to change the behavioral pattern of the patients rather to align with their lifestyle.
