What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive form of dementia, comprising memory loss and affects one’s cognitive abilities from functioning normally. It is more common among the elderly, with statistics showing that approximately 60%-70% of elderly with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. It also has a high incidence rate, following closely behind cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as cancer.
The main symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are severe or rapid memory loss, deterioration of the patient’s mental function, behavioral disorders. Alzheimer’s disease is caused by a mutation of the Central Nervous System(CNS), the onset is hidden and difficult to be detected, and the course of the disease is slow and gradually worsened.
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of brain degeneration, which is related to the presence of amyloid plaque deposits in the brain. As the disease worsens, the hippocampus of the brain will shrink.
What does degenerative destruction of the central nervous system mean?
Human neurodegeneration can be divided into “central nerve” and “peripheral nerve”. Peripheral nerve degeneration will feel numb in the extremities. Degeneration of motor nerves will make one feel that the body is not flexible, uncoordinated, slow to move, or simply unable to move at will.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s
Degeneration of the central nervous system will result in:
- Decreased or impaired thinking ability
- Worsened cognitive function
- Loss of memory
- Personality changes
- Language impairment
- Learning impairment etc.
If you find that the elderly in your family exhibits the above-mentioned, it could potentially be a precursor to Alzheimer’s. Therefore, it is important to pay more attention to the elders in the family. The timing of the discovery is the most critical point of treatment.
How to overcome Alzheimer’s?
To treat Alzheimer’s disease, you need to overcome Kidney Essence Deficiency.
TCM believes that Alzheimer’s disease is very closely related to poor brain circulation. Although the disease of Alzheimer’s disease is in the brain, the root cause is the dysfunction of the heart, spleen, kidney, and other organs, especially closely related to the kidney. The “kidney” of Chinese medicine is closely related to the function of the brain. As the human body ages, kidney deficiency represents the decline of body functions. The kidney essence is constantly attenuated, leading to weakened brain power and forgetfulness. Therefore, kidney essence deficiency is the basic direction of TCM treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Can TCM prevent Alzheimer’s?
Brain aging is an irresistible natural law for everyone. It is common for the elderly to suffer from memory loss, awkward movement, dizziness, insomnia, and mild decline in various feelings – this is a normal aging phenomenon.
At present, there is no effective and reliable method to treat Alzheimer’s disease once diagnosed. However, one’s lifestyle choices and habits can greatly reduce the chances of Alzheimer’s. Prevention can and should start from young!
What are some good lifestyle habits that one can adopt to fight against Alzheimer’s?
1. Healthy eating habits – Make it a habit to eat healthy foods like leafy vegetables or protein-based foods to stay healthy.
2. A regular and sufficient sleep schedule – It’s important to let your brain rest when it needs to. Don’t let yourself be constantly tired out and make sure you get adequate rest!
3. Avoid smoking and drinking as much as possible.
4. Avoid situations that result in excessive stress
5. Establishing good lifestyle habits like rest habits, and brain habits, quit smoking.
For patients with Alzheimer’s disease, comprehensive preventive and therapeutic measures can generally be adopted – such as acupuncture treatment, drug therapy, medicated diet, exercise therapy, etc., all of which can help to treat Alzheimer’s disease.
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Acupuncture on Alzheimer’s
Acupuncture and moxibustion have obvious positive help for Alzheimer’s disease, and the acupuncture meridian points on the head are better for directly stimulating brain function. In traditional Chinese medicine, Baihui(GV 20), Sishencong(EX-HN 1), Shenting(GV 24), and other head acupoints are commonly used to stimulate the suture position, plus the face and alternative acupuncture points, which can effectively reduce headache circulation and help neurodegenerative diseases and brain resuscitating.
Acupoint massage can stimulate the brain
Pressing the Hegu acupoint (LI 4)on the back of the hand, which in the intersection of thumb and finger, the Taichong acupoint (LR 3) on the sole of the foot, and the Renzhong acupoint(GV 26) which is the depression under the nose of the face.
Homology of Medicine and Food
Chinese medicine has a high degree of fusion. TCM believes that adding Chinese medicine into our diet will also provide additional nourishment to the body. Patients with Alzheimer’s foods such as Chinese Yam, asparagus, sesame, walnut, wolfberry, and ginseng – but under appropriate instructions from your doctor.
Importance of light exercises
The elderly can still adopt light exercises to get the body and muscles moving. Exercise allows the body qi and blood to circulate, keeping the body and mind healthy and builds good social vitality. Here are some exercises one can consider:
- Walking briskly for one hour a day greatly increases muscle oxygen content and stimulates brain cell oxygen content.
- Activities that engage the hand and fingertips: Making fists and simple stretching, paper-cutting, typing, playing musical instruments. These can stimulate the cerebral cortex nerves, increase blood circulation, and increase the vitality of the brain.
Authored by CINDY
