Dementia - Alzheimer

Symptoms and Impact of Cognitive Impairment (Dementia) on Life

• Decline in short-term memory: Patients may forget recent events, leading to repeated actions, affecting work ability and daily life.

• Confusion about time and orientation: Forgetting time and easily getting lost.

• Difficulty in language expression or comprehension: Unable to clearly express thoughts.

• Misplacing items and unable to find them later, or suspecting others of theft.

• Loss of initiative: Unwillingness to go out, engage in social activities, or make new friends.

• Emotional instability: Easily angered and anxious, or extremely indifferent to surroundings.

Olfaction vs. Cognitive Impairment (Dementia)

On July 28, 2022, the University of Chicago in the United States published a study in the journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia, indicating that a sharp decline in olfactory ability may be an early sign of cognitive impairment (dementia). Alzheimer’s Disease is one of the more common types of cognitive impairment (dementia). The American research team analyzed over 20 years of monitoring data from 515 elderly people. This group underwent repeated olfactory tests during this period, with some undergoing MRI scans, and received clinical cognitive diagnoses at the end of the study. The team calculated the rate of olfactory decline and compared data with those whose cognitive abilities remained normal, finding that individuals with faster olfactory decline had nearly twice the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or cognitive impairment, and had smaller gray matter regions in the brain. Lead researcher Rachel Pacyna indicated that over time, those with rapid olfactory decline fared worse compared to those with slower decline or normal olfaction, being more likely to develop brain issues and even Alzheimer’s. Although olfactory tests alone cannot predict Alzheimer’s, they serve as a useful data point for detecting at-risk groups at younger ages. (https://www.ettoday.net/news/20220729)

Aromatherapy

• Aromatherapy has a history of thousands of years. It uses essential oils extracted from plants to maintain physical, mental, and spiritual health as a natural therapy.

• Aromatherapy works by inhaling the fragrance of essential oils to stimulate the brain, thus healing the mind; it also stimulates the endocrine glands to promote hormone secretion.

• Essential oils diluted with plants oil are also used for full-body massages.

• Another method involves bathing/footbaths/sitz baths with essential oils dissolved in water-soluble plant solvents.

This therapy, which absorbs the plant's essence into the body, is called aromatherapy.

Acupoints in Traditional Chinese Medicine

Massaging the following acupoints can help improve olfactory abnormalities:

1. Baihui (DU20): Lifts yang and invigorates qi. Helps to wake the brain and open the orifices.

2. Yintang (EX-HN3): Clears the head and brightens the eyes, unblocks the nose. Effective for improving rhinitis.

3. Yingxiang (LI20): Unblocks the nasal passages, dispels wind and releases the exterior, promotes blood circulation, and relieves pain. Can alleviate nasal congestion and excessive nasal discharge, improving the ability to smell.

4. Hegu (LI4): Promotes the circulation of qi and blood, transports fluids, clears lung qi, and opens the orifices.

5. Lieque (LU7): Regulates the lungs, stops coughing, promotes water metabolism, and clears the meridians.

6. Neiguan (PC6): Calms the mind, regulates qi, relieves pain, aids sleep, adjusts autonomic nerves, relieves stress, and alleviates fatigue, chest pain, palpitations, night sweats, stomach discomfort, and dizziness.

7. Zhongchong (PC9): Restores yang and revives consciousness.

8. Zusanli (ST36): Dries dampness, promotes stomach qi, and regulates the spleen and stomach.

9. Sanyinjiao (SP6): Recombines qi and blood of the three yin meridians of the foot (kidney, liver, spleen), and harmonizes the spleen.

Aromatic Essential Oils

1. Inhalation – Morning (Awakening Essential Oil Blend): Expands the bronchial tubes, awakens the brain, improves concentration, and enhances memory.

2. Inhalation – Night (Sweet Dreams Essential Oil Blend): Relaxes, reduces stress, clears airways, and improves sleep.

3. Massaging the nine specified acupoints (Kan1 Aromatic Oil): Boosts qi and blood, refreshes and opens the orifices, and improves olfaction.

4. Foot Bath (Yongquan Water-Soluble Essential Oil): Promotes overall blood circulation, detoxifies the lymphatic system, boosts immunity, and reduces stress.

Discussion

1. As human life expectancy increases, cognitive impairment (dementia) becomes a problem, resulting in dependence on others rather than a natural aging process.

2. Everyone has the potential to face this issue. We should work to improve and delay the onset of cognitive impairment (dementia) while we still have the ability.

3. Early detection and treatment of cognitive impairment (dementia) make it easier to control.

4. Once detected, it is essential to think positively and actively seek solutions.

5. Aromatherapy, a natural therapy, is comfortable, safe, and easy to apply, addressing not only cognitive impairment (dementia) but also emotional adjustment and overall physical health.

6. Aromatherapy benefits not only the patients with cognitive impairment (dementia) but also their families and friends.