Given the many requests on my social networks, today I will write about Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system, incurable, which worsens over time and affects mainly people between 60 and 90 years old.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by dementia or loss of cognitive functions (memory, orientation, behavior, language, calculus), caused by the death of brain cells.
It is not yet clear why Alzheimer’s disease occurs, although some lesions and brain changes characteristic of this disease are known, such as:
- Senile plaques resulting from the abnormally produced beta-amyloid protein deposit;
- Neurofibrillary tangles, fruits of the hyperphosphorylation of the tau protein;
- Reduction in the number of nerve cells (neurons) and the connections between them (synapses), with progressive decrease in brain volume.
As in Western Medicine, in Chinese Medicine the cause of the development and progression of Alzheimer’s is not known, however, there is a suspicion that the disease is related to the Kidney, which is the organ that has the Vital Essence and controls all the diseases. body functions, including aging and death.
Alzheimer’s is divided into classic symptoms, which will be described below in relation to the organs and how we can treat them in Chinese Medicine:
Many people suffering from Alzheimer’s have this stage quite evident. They get aggressive, speak loudly, blame people for having hidden or even stolen something of their personal use.
In Chinese Medicine we can understand that due to a Deficiency of the Essence, especially the Kidney Yin, it does not nourish the Liver Yin thus generating an excessive Yang. It is the excessive Yang of the Kidney that we correlate with anger, stress, excessive attitudes.
It is up to the therapist, not only to strengthen the Kidney Yin but also to calm the Yang Liver. Points like KI-6 and LR-8 are of great help, as well as black sesame tea.
2. Loss of Recent Memory
The most well-known stage of Alzheimer’s is memory loss. You start by forgetting a lighted lamp, or the stove on. Then it is no longer known if he took a shower that day, or tells the same story several times a day.
In Chinese Medicine, chronic Kidney deficiency leads to chronic Spleen deficiency. It is the Spleen that is responsible for recent memories and daily activities. So, once again, the therapist must strengthen the Kidney Yin and in this case, strengthen the Spleen Qi. In addition to KI-6, SP-2, SP-3 and ST-8 can be used. The consumption of roots at this stage is also very important, with yam being the most suitable.
3. Loss of consistency, discernment and logical reasoning
After a period without ideal memory about the knowledge of everyday life, the Alzheimer’s patient begins to suffer from memory difficulties of things he previously knew by heart. The path to a place “x”, or how to speak a word and another language or even ride a bicycle.
It is in this phase that in addition to the loss of another type of memory, we have a sudden change in behavior. The Alzheimer’s patient loses his logical reasoning, the conversations are “crossed and incomplete”, he cannot decide between the right, the wrong and what must be done first in a task. You lose track of time and space. It is common for you to remember only the past.
A classic example is the desire to “come home” when you are already at home. This is because there is no memory of where you live today, you only remember the past.
Based on the loss of Kidney Essence, there is, by law of Dominance in Chinese Medicine, an excess of the energy of the Heart, bringing the mind agitated (disturbed Shen).
Once again, the therapist aims to strengthen the energy of the Kidney, but at that time, he also needs to work on the energy of the Heart. Points KI-3, KI-6, PC-7, and HT-7 are indicated, as well as fresh Heart foods, such as melons, can be used.
4. Loss of connection with the past
This is the terminal phase of Alzheimer’s.
The patient not only does not remember the day to day and has already lost the coherence of the acts, but also has no memory of the past. He does not know who he is, where he came from, and he does not remember the closest people, such as children, spouses. He does not even know where a pain is in the body, because he does not remember the name of the affected body part.
It is the time when the Kidney Essence (Jing) is at its lowest concentration. Remembering that it is when Jing ends, that life comes to an end.
At that point, the only thing the therapist can do is try to keep the little Jing left. Points such as CV-3, CV-4, KI-3, KI-6, or even the use of Wonderful Vases can give the patient survival, but it will not cure him.
Maintaining healthy living habits, especially good food and respecting rest, will prevent the end of life from being so memoryless.
I hope I helped you.
A big hug.
Profa. Fernanda Mara