Finding out that you or a loved one has dementia is a devastating and confusing time.
You may have considered the possibility that you, or a family member, might have dementia for several months, or even longer, but actually receiving the diagnosis is life changing.
Thoughts of being unable to function in your daily life, withdrawing from family and friends, and gradually slipping away, are all worries that dementia sufferers experience when they are first diagnosed.
Especially given that they will be told that this horrendous disease has no known cure.
However, there are ways in which it can be reversed.
Not too long ago, it was said that heart disease could not be reversed, but now we know otherwise.
Dementia is no different.
Don’t let this disease control you, instead take action to control and manage this disease yourself by following the advice below.
Look to your lifestyle for correctable causes of memory loss
There are many factors that lead to memory loss including:
- Low thyroid function
- Depression
- Vitamin deficiencies (specifically vitamin B12 and vitamin D)
- Omega-3 deficiencies
- High cholesterol
- Pre-diabetes
- Mercury toxicity
Once you have identified an imbalance in your system, which could be contributing to your memory loss, you can now look at ways to correct this imbalance:
- Follow a low glycemic diet
- Take regular exercise and indulge in relaxation therapies, such as yoga and massage
- Take a multivitamin
- Take an omega-3 supplement and eat more portions of oily fish
- Treat your thyroid problem with medication
- Undertake a detoxification program for mercury toxicity
Look to alternative therapies & medicines
There are several natural remedies and therapies that are known to help reduce cognitive decline, including:
- Coconut oil. This natural oil is becoming increasingly popular due to its myriad of health benefits, which include the ability to reduce the amyloid plaque in your arteries, which contributes to vascular dementia. If you are unsure whether you have vascular dementia or another type of the disease, an MRI scan can determine this for you; MRI cost is more affordable than you may think, and can help ensure that you follow the correct treatment for your condition.
- A Mediterranean diet. Another diet-based remedy, following a Mediterranean diet that is rich in fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, and olive oil can help improve cognitive function.
- Music therapy. Music can work wonders on sufferers of dementia by boosting their brain activity. Music can evoke memories, feelings, and emotions, as well as offering sufferers a chance to interact and utilize their brain by singing.
- Chiropractic care. Ongoing chiropractic treatment can help restore blocked circulation and nerve function; alleviating symptoms that are associated with dementia.
- Take a Ginkgo biloba herbal supplement. Taken from the leaves of the Ginkgo biloba tree, this natural herbal remedy is known for its ability to help with memory problems, and even slow down the progression of dementia. Although not scientifically proven, Ginkgo biloba is a rich antioxidant and is often used to improve mental function.
- Acupuncture has the ability to correct and improve the flow of energy in your body; relieving stress, depression, and pain; all of which are symptoms that can arise in dementia sufferers.
- In the same way that music therapy works, aromatherapy can help trigger a memory associated with a specific smell, as well as being useful for calming down a distressed sufferer.
