Alzheimer’s Syndrome

It seems so many people have been touched by Alzheimerâ??s syndrome in one way or another that I just needed to write something about it. My own grandmother had it, but hers was a type of senility that is more common in the very elderly, rather than the early onset type. Just in case there is anyone out there who doesnâ??t know or isnâ??t sure, the definition of Alzheimerâ??s Syndrome is a progressive degeneration in the brain that can be either fast or slow and usually ends up in complete memory loss and usually a complete lack of self sufficiency. With Alzheimerâ??s the family members may suffer more than the actual person suffering (although not much is known obviously about how the person who is actually suffering from the syndrome directly feels since it would be very difficult to do such research).

Lots of people like to talk about Alzheimerâ??s and lots of people also like to act like they have solutions to the Alzheimerâ??s, but the fact is that conventional medicine doesnâ??t really have any answers, and alternative medicine makes some claims that havenâ??t been scientifically proven yet, and thus remain technically speculation until the claims are officially substantiated, published and verified, not to mention duplicated. This is not to say that traditional modes of medicine arenâ??t effective against Alzheimerâ??s, because it is entirely possible that the ancient methods work just fine, and perhaps even better than â??conventionalâ? methods, but, at the same time, we as humans must take some responsibility for our actions, diseases, and for making sure that whatever treatments we are using for ourselves or our loved ones are safe, healthy and effective.

The good news is that science has begun to pick up the slack and do important studies about various alternative treatment options and their effectiveness on the Alzheimerâ??s. Many of these studies are showing some promise. So, letâ??s take a look at some of the studies that have been done: For example, several studies done with Chinese herbal preparations which have been shown to be at least primarily successful with treating dementia and have shown preliminarily successful results, for example with the herb mixture called â??Choto-sanâ?. Another study showed that lemon balm (Melissa) essential oil could have a positive effect on people suffering from Alzheimerâ??s brain chemical functioning problems, and others showed lavender to be possibly effective on certain Alzheimerâ??s affected behaviors. Therapeutic massage was also found to be effective for various symptoms that occur with Alzheimerâ??s. There are some possibly good results from studies that show acupuncture to be extremely helpful with Alzheimerâ??s, although the source states that further study is necessary. A few interesting studies seem to have found that Omega 3 fatty acids help with the reduction of dementia symptoms in general. This was, apparently, a very promising study, but the experts concluded that more study would be needed in order to make a definitive statement about the efficacy of Omega 3 fatty acids. A plant called Chinese club moss is apparently making an impact in the USA where it was studied, showing a possible improvement in symptoms. Several studies have also been done with the herb Ginkgo biloba with mixed results. Apparently some studies show what appears to be a positive effect, while others show no significant changes. But, drinking Ginkgo tea certainly canâ??t hurt anyone for sure, and it can also be good for you in other ways, so if you or someone you know is suffering from Alzheimerâ??s syndrome, you might want to try one or more of the herbs mentioned above, particularly since none of them are dangerous even in fairly high doses.

My own personal experience with Alzheimerâ??s patients shows me that one of the most effective methods of helping Alzheimerâ??s is through reflexology. Although the evidence is purely empirical, apparently reflexology seems to reactivate the functioning of the brain somehow, because I have seen it work wonders on people, to this degree; People who refused to eat and were being fed through a feeding tube, began to eat again. People who didnâ??t speak any more to anyone began speaking again (not necessarily perfectly normally though). People who didnâ??t walk or refused to get out of bed, began to walk and accept being more social. And for bedridden people the reflexology helped them to be healthier, and gave them a somewhat better existence, seeming to help their circulation become better, because no matter how bedridden they were, they never got a single bed sore through the duration of their treatments. Sometimes the results of the reflexology would be dramatic.

So, by the same token, if acupuncture has been shown to accord improvements in various areas, acupressure is likely to be effective as well. And again, other types of hands on energy treatments are likely to be helpful too. Doing various forms of physical exercise may help also, such as yoga forms, and others.

There are many who say that keeping your own mind sharp by doing various forms of mental exercises, such as math problems, word problems, etc. can help to keep your brain cells fresh, active and ever on the increase seem to make sense as well, but only time and research will give the final answer to that question.

So, if you or someone you know is suffering from Alzheimerâ??s syndrome the faster you do something about it the better. Donâ??t just sit around waiting for something to happen. Get out there and try some of the things that have been found to possibly be effective, and keep up with the research, because new studies are being done all the time.

Related posts:

1. Alzheimer’s and Stress – is There a Link?
2. Alzheimer’s Prevention: Do More ‘driven’ Personalities Have a Lower Risk?
3. Alzheimer’s Disease and Brain Function – 3 Things You Should Know
4. How is Alzheimer’s Diagnosed? Doctors to See and Tests to Have
5. Is There a Cure for Alzheimer’s?