Holistic medicine aims to treat the whole person, not merely focus on the symptoms of disease. Dementia is a general term referring to any of the many conditions that cause a decline in cognitive function. According to the University of Kansas Medical Center, Alzheimer's Disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for about over 50 percent of cases. Other forms of dementia include Vascular Dementia, which is brought on by cardiovascular disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Parkinson's Disease and Pick's Disease. Conventional medicine can ease the symptoms of some forms of dementia, but most forms have no actual cure. Holistics may be an option for patients suffering from a variety of dementia diseases, but patients should consult with a doctor before starting any treatments or therapies.
Brain and Body Stimulation
Exercising both the body and mind may help ease symptoms of dementia. According to a 2006 National Institutes of Aging study, exercising three times a week or more exerts a protective effect against age-associated dementia. In anther study conducted in 2003 by scientists from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York and reported in Medical News Today, individuals over the age of 75 reduced their risk of developing dementia by 75 percent when they participated in mentally challenging activities such as chess or playing a musical instrument. Dancing in particular may be a particularly good holistic method of treating and preventing dementia, since it engages both mind and body.
Supplements
Antioxidants have been the subject of study in the treatment of Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia, but the results thus far are inconclusive. Nonetheless, some doctors recommend vitamin E supplementation as an addition to conventional treatment, explains MayoClinic.com. Coenzyme Q 10 is sometimes taken as a treatment for dementia, but no studies have been conducted to evaluate its effectiveness. Other supplements which have shown the potential for treatments of various forms of dementia in preliminary trials include phosphatidylserine, omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin D.
Acupuncture
According to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation, two studies on the use of acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia presented at the 2000 World Alzheimer's Conference in Washington, D.C. showed promising results although further studies have not yet been performed. These studies, by researchers at the Wellesley College Center for Research on Women in Wellesley, Massachusetts and the University of Hong Kong, measured cognitive abilities and mood in dementia patients after receiving three months and 30 days of acupuncture treatments respectively. However, these studies, of eleven and eight patients respectively, were too small to make any definitive conclusions.
References
- University of Kansas Medical Center: Dementia
- Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation:Alzheimer's Disease Treatment Information
- Mayo Clinic: Alzheimer's Disease
- National Institute of Aging: Exercise Associated with Reduced Risk of Dementia in Older Adults
- Medical News Today:Mental stimulation staves off dementia
