Four Ways to Deal With Dementia Naturally

Dementia is a group of brain function disorders that tend to affect an individual’s thinking, memory, behavior, and their ability to carry out various activities of daily life. The World Health Organization estimates that over 47 million people live with dementia, and this number is expected to triple by 2018. Dementia has many causes but the most common by far is Alzheimer’s disease. It’s estimated that an American develops the disease every 60 seconds, and it’s currently the sixth leading cause of death in the United States.

Perhaps the most disturbing aspect of dementia is the fact that its treatment is very expensive and invasive. An estimated 259 billion dollars is expected to be spent in 2017 treating the disease in America alone, while 18 billion hours of care will be expended as well.

Several treatment options are available for dementia including pharmacologic, cognitive, and psychologic options. However, sometimes treatment is limited by the side effects of some of the drugs and cannot be treated adequately.

This article will focus on natural remedies that help those with dementia or who want to prevent dementia in order to ensure healthy, independent aging.

1. Exercise

Exercise has been proven help with a wide range of medical conditions. A good exercise regime that includes 40-45 minutes of aerobic exercise about 5 times a week will go a long way in improving overall health. As the heart beats faster, blood flow to the brain increases and the sweat pores open up to improve excretion of body wastes. In addition to aerobics, mental exercises will also help keep the brain sharp. Cross word puzzles, word games, chess are examples of mental exercises that benefit the mind.

2. Socializing

A symptom of dementia is withdrawal from social interactions. As a result of the condition, individuals tend to withdraw into themselves in order to avoid socializing, probably due to shame or embarrassment about memory loss. Social interactions have been shown to help improve cognitive functions, and all the domains of cognition tend to improve with more social stimulations. Remember that no matter how embarrassed you may feel, it’s incredibly important to arrange visits, attend parties, and seek out social events. If big group interactions aren’t your thing, even seeing an old friend or family member will give your brain the mental stimulation it needs.

3. Rest

One of the triggers of dementia in predisposed people is stress. Stressful work environments and living conditions tend to worsen the symptoms of dementia. As such it’s important to take adequate rest from work. Ensure at least 6 hours of sleep daily, and avoid taking work home. Unplug on the weekends and always make sure to engage in leisure activities in order to refuel and relax.

4. Nootropics

Nootropics are substances that help improve brain function and protect the brain from toxins. They are essentially made up of foods and natural brain drugs. This is why nootropics may help those with dementia or who want to avoid onset symptoms of the disease. Some brain drugs are made from naturally occurring substances which also help improve brain function. These include aniracetam, piracetam, ginkgo biloba, and caffeine can be used in patients with dementia. Here is a complete guide on Nootropics if you are keen to know more.

Dementia is an age related disease with devastating consequences that can be difficult to treat. As such it’s always important to explore natural ways to deal with this disease.