Ayurvedic Treatment of Dementia
Dementia is a progressive and chronic syndrome involving decline in cognitive functions (i.e. the ability to process thought) which is not to be considered as symptom of normal ageing. It causes impairment of intellectual functioning that includes loss in memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgment but does not affect the Consciousness. The impairment in cognitive function is usually accompanied, and occasionally followed, by deterioration in emotional control, social behavior, or motivation. The probability of Dementia increases with age.
It interferes with social or occupational functioning and even creating problem for care givers and family which makes it a kind of dependency for older.
Causes of Dementia
It is more frequent with increasing age. All dementias are caused by degeneration of nerve cells in brain, the nerve cells die more quickly than in case of normal ageing.
Some cases of Dementia are reversible:-
These medical conditions include – Thiamine deficiency due to alcoholism as well as brain injury, strokes, multiple sclerosis, HIV infection and brain tumors.
- Thyroid disease (hypothyroidism)
- Vitamin B12 deficiency.
- Heavy-metal poisoning, such as from lead.
- Drug interactions and Drug toxicity.
- Some of the brain tumors.
- fluid build-up in the brain (hydrocephalus)
- Some cases of chronic alcoholism.
- Some cases of encephalitis.
- HIV Infections.
- Infection of the brain (meningitis and syphilis).
Some cases are irreversible but are progressive in nature:-
- Vascular dementia – this results from death of brain cells which is caused by damage to blood vessels supplying to brain and prevents normal blood flow, the brain cells are deprived of oxygen.
- Injury – post-traumatic dementia is directly related to brain cell death caused by injury.
- Alzheimer’s Disease – caused due to progressive brain cell death. There is plaque and tangle formation in the brain cell and there is progressive decrease in number of cells and ultimately the size of brain shrinks.
- In Parkinson’s disease.
Some disorders that causes dementia that runs in families i.e. it is inherited.
Ayurvedic View
Ayurvedic view for Dementia is disturbance and imbalance in the three doshas of the body Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Vata (mainly Prana vata) has considerable role in Dementia. It can be compared to smriti – bhransh (loss of memory) in Ayurveda.
Symptoms of Dementia
Early symptoms of dementia (cognitive impairment) are often mild and may get worse only very gradually.
- There is frequent and progressive loss of memory as asking same question again and again, forgetting the same question asked before.
- Difficulty in completing similar tasks – like preparation of drinks or cooking food, then forgetting and leaving it as such.
- Communication problems – language speaking difficulty by forgetting simple words or using the wrong ones.
- Getting lost on a previously familiar street close to home
- Judgement becomes poor.
- Problems in dealing with money.
- Misplacing things – like keeping them in the wrong places and then forgetting about.
- Mood changes and swinging quickly through a set of moods.
- Personality also changes – irritating behavior, doubtful or fearful.
- Loss of creativity – decreased interest in initiating something or going somewhere.
The Goodnews!?
The good news is that Dementia is preventable and reversible, but can only be possible by using holistic approach, the one advocated in Ayurveda that addresses the issues from the very root.
Since ancient times, Ayurveda has defined diseases with their symptoms, causes and healing methods with nature.
If you are having any of the above mentioned symptoms, don’t assume it is Dementia yet without any proper diagnosis because there are other Memory related diseases that comes with the same symptoms. Consult with a Doctor for accurate diagnosis to find out if Dementia is what you are having or any other related disease.
Vine-Health Approach to Dementia
As a holistic health clinic, we take accurate diagnosis very seriously in order to ascertain the root cause of a particular illness. You will be consulted with our doctor to know the type of test or scan to run base on your symptoms to detect exactly the root cause of your issue to ascertain if Dementia is your issue or not to ensure appropriate treatment.
Accurate diagnosis is the key to the treatment of any disease.
We can really help you out of the issue!
Contact us for your accurate diagnosis or for any issues