Alzheimer’s Treatment, Symptoms, and Ways of Prevention

Alzheimer’s disease is one of the most severe progressive disorders that affect the brain. It gradually destroys memory and thinking skills, as well as the ability to perform everyday tasks. The disease often develops in people in their mid-60s, while adults and young adults rarely experience the symptoms of Alzheimer’s.

Although such a condition is irreversible, some treatment methods have proven to be efficient in mitigating the signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Apart from drugs that may help improve cognitive skills, some treatments that originate from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) medicine have also been used for reducing Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbs are the most common forms of alternative medicine. Although they can’t cure a particular condition, they can help the patient overcome the difficulties that come together with the disorder safely and efficiently.

Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia: What’s the Difference?

Although symptoms of both conditions may overlap, dementia and Alzheimer’s shouldn’t be confused.

Dementia is a syndrome that describes symptoms that affect memory, the performance of everyday activities, and communication abilities. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia that progresses and disrupts memory, language, and thought.

That said, the most noticeable difference between these two terms is the fact that dementia is a syndrome, while Alzheimer’s is a disease. Namely, dementia us an umbrella term that encompasses various illnesses, among which is Alzheimer’s.

The symptoms of both conditions can be treated with acupuncture for dementia.

What are the Usual Alzheimer’s Symptoms?

The most common symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory loss. In the early stages, people often notice some difficulties in remembering recent events or conversations, but as the condition develops, memory loss may become worse, and other symptoms may develop.

Patients rarely notice the changes by themselves, but their friends and family members are more likely to see the symptoms worsen. Some of these symptoms are related to:

Memory

People with Alzheimer’s experience severe problems with memory that may persist and become worse as time passes. Such problems may affect a person’s ability to function at work or home. They are often associated with:

• A person’s tendency to repeat statements and questions over and over
• Forgetting conversations, appointments, or events and not remembering them even later
• Misplacing the items frequently, and often putting them in illogical locations
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Forgetting the names of friends, family members, and everyday objects
• Having problems finding the right words to name objects, express thoughts, or participate in conversations.

Thinking and Reasoning

Alzheimer’s disease causes a lot of difficulties in concentrating and thinking, mainly when it comes to abstract forms such as numbers.

That said, affected people find it challenging to multitask, manage finances, balance checkbooks, and pay bills on time. In general, patients may become unable to recognize and deal with numbers.

Making Decisions

It’s common that patients lose the ability to make reasonable choices and judgments in everyday situations. For instance, they may wear clothes that are inappropriate for the weather or make unusual choices in social interactions.

Such problems may lead to dangerous situations. Namely, people may forget to turn off the stove or cause a car accident.

Performing Familiar Tasks

Performing everyday activities may eventually become a challenging task for people with Alzheimer’s. For example, the final stage of the condition may make them forget how to dress or bathe, cook the meal, or play a game they used to play a lot.

Changes in Personality

Brain changes provoked by Alzheimer’s disease often affect moods and behaviors that usually include the following problems:

• Apathy
• Delusions
• Depression
• Irritability and aggressive behavior
• Lack of trust in others

• Loss of inhibitions
• Mood swings
• Sleeping issues
• Social withdrawal
• Wandering.

Preserved Skills

Not all the person’s skills will be lost due to the disease. A person will be able to read or listen to books, tell stories and think back, sing, listen to music, dance, draw, and do arts and crafts.

These skills usually preserve because they’re controlled by those parts of the brain that become affected in the latest stages of the disease.

It’s critical to see a doctor as soon as you or your family notice some changes in your memory or behavior. The sooner your problem gets identified, the higher the chance of starting an Alzheimer’s treatment that will mitigate the symptoms and help you deal with everyday challenges much easier.

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Acupuncture for Alzheimer’s

Acupuncture is a popular form of Eastern medicine, and it has been used worldwide for about 3,000 years. It involves the insertion of fine, stainless steel acupuncture needles into specific points found on the body in order to balance the flow of energy or life force known as Qi (chee).

Qi is believed to flow through meridians in your body, and it needs to be released to boost immunity and improve all the functions inside the organism. Practitioners find stuck energy responsible for the onset of many conditions, including those that affect the brain.

Acupuncture is primarily performed for eliminating pain, but it has widened its purposes lately. That said, it can mitigate the symptoms of many diseases that are considered incurable, and it can even stop the progression of various eye conditions defined as irreversible.

Acupuncture has developed many different styles convenient for treating various conditions. When it comes to Alzheimer’s, we should mention scalp acupuncture (neuro acupuncture), which is specifically designed to address neurological disorders.

Scalp Acupuncture for Alzheimer’s Disease

As its name says, scalp acupuncture involves the insertion of the needles into specific areas of the scalp. It has been practiced since the 1960s, and it has brought significant outcomes in treating neurological conditions.

Its effectiveness lies in the fact that the stimulation wakes the brain cells up, encourages the recruitment of healthy brain cells and makes them perform the lost function, and promotes a healthy reintegration of the brain system. It’s commonly used for post-stroke and brain surgery therapy, but it is also beneficial for treating the following disorders:

• Paralysis
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple Sclerosis

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Restless leg syndrome
• Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Treating Alzheimer’s with acupuncture is an adequate and efficient solution since such therapy improves memory, learning, and the brain. Recent studies have shown that electrostimulation of three specific acupoints on the scalp significantly improves spatial memory, learning, and cognitive abilities. Still, you should continue with your usual therapy even though you go to acupuncture treatments.

Acupuncture is often performed as a complementary treatment. That said, people shouldn’t stop taking their regular therapy unless a practitioner suggests certain changes. Besides, acupuncturists usually combine needling therapies with Chinese herbs to provide their patients with more efficient and more long-lasting results.

Alternative Treatments for Alzheimer’s

Combining acupuncture for memory with different types of herbs can bring significant improvements to patients with Alzheimer’s. Such holistic approaches will create a better quality of life for people who’re dealing with severe symptoms of AD.

Talk to your practitioner and ask him/her about the alternative treatments that could help to slow the progression of the disease. You may be advised to try some of the following methods:

Chinese Herbs

Chinese herbs are a critical part of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and they have been used for thousands of years to help in healing both physical and mental disorders. They are generally free of side effects, and they significantly enhance a person’s immunity and overall health.

The best thing about Chinese herbs is the fact that they focus on strengthening the whole body, not only on addressing a particular condition. That way, the body becomes able to eliminate the symptoms by itself.

Practitioners often combine various herbs in order to provide a specific form of treatment that matches the patient’s unique needs. Chinese herbal medicine is commonly used as a complement to acupuncture treatments, and that’s mostly because it enhances the overall procedure.

People with Alzheimer’s will benefit from Chinese herbs, mainly because they will help them sleep better, boost their confidence levels, and manage their thoughts better.

Other Herbs

Herbal medicine is generally considered an excellent Alzheimer’s natural treatment. Herbs that are believed to be efficient for improving a person’s cognitive skills and learning abilities are:

• Ginkgo biloba: This herb is convenient for people with cognitive impairments due to AD.
• Choto-san: Choto-san is a Japanese herb that’s used in both Chinese and Japanese herbal medicine. It’s a mix of 11 medical plants that improve memory and learning, and it’s primarily used for treating people with vascular dementia.
• Kami-untan-to: Another Japanese herb that could improve nerve growth is kami-untan-to. It is believed to be efficient in slowing the progression of Alzheimer’s.

Before you start using any of these herbs, make sure you consult your doctor and practitioner. Not all of the herbs should be taken with other medications, and their interaction could be dangerous.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil contains caprylic acid, which the human body breaks down into the protein ketone. A similar protein is used in a drug Ketasyn, a medication that’s often prescribed to people with AD.

Ketasyn helps patients improve their memory performance and reduce cognitive decline, which is why people tend to use coconut oil as a cheaper alternative to medications that contain this valuable protein.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3 fatty acids may be quite beneficial in Alzheimer’s treatment since they can reduce cognitive impairment. You can take them as a supplement (pills), or by eating fish, nuts, and some oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

Coenzyme Q10

Coenzyme Q10 is another alternative Alzheimer’s treatment option that has a positive impact on body functions. It’s available in drug stores, but don’t use it before you’ve consulted your doctor or practitioner about it.

Coral Calcium

Coral calcium is derived from seashells and sea life, which is why it usually contains trace amounts of other minerals, as well. That said, it’s considered more beneficial than other types of calcium you can typically get from food.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is considered beneficial for improving the thinking abilities of people with AD. Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils made of lemon, rosemary, lavender, orange, or similar ingredients, convenient for enhancing a person’s well-being.

Bright Light Therapy

As mentioned earlier in the article, people with AD often experience certain changes in their sleep habits. Their sleep is affected primarily because Alzheimer’s disease damages the part of the brain that tells the body when to sleep and wake up.

Bright light therapy can help patients retrieve balance to the sleep-wake cycle, especially when performed in the morning.

It’s critical to know that neither of the mentioned therapies guarantees the recovery and improvements, primarily when performed as stand-alone treatments. Consult your doctor or certified practitioner before you’ve started with any of the therapies since certain drug interferences could be fatal.

Alzheimer’s Prevention: What to Do?

Alzheimer’s disease is a condition that can’t be preventable. However, you should implement some lifestyle changes that could lower the risk of developing AD and other disorders that cause dementia. For example:

• Exercise regularly
• Eat healthy food
• Take care of blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol
• Reduce or quit smoking.

It’s also recommended to participate in social events, read, listen, dance, play board games, create art, play an instrument, and do other activities that require mental and social engagement. That way, you mitigate the risk of Alzheimer’s that could develop later in life.