Expert: Michalene Peticca - 1/11/2012

Question
Why is there pain,what kind of pain is it?

Answer
Hi Cindy,

Thank you for writing.

Many times an Alzheimer's will experience pain that is either localized in their head or throughout their body.

One general rule for the causes of this pain is the actual brain tissue shrinking from the disease itself.  

Remember as a child we had "growing pains"?  Our bones and muscle tissues were actually growing and stretching.   It is the reverse for an Alzheimer's person....their tissue is actually shrinking; thus, the pain.

Also, the brain is receiving a lot of "mixed" messages from the body and while there may not be a pinpointed area of pain, it can "trigger" in the brain.

Unfortunately, only high levels of anti-pain medications have been seen to help these "side affects" of the disease.  

Please consult the Primary physician before taking any medications and what might work best for the person you know with Alzheimer's disease.

Best Regards,

Michalene Peticca, MA