Once you reach age 60 dementia becomes an important concern/question for how the remainder of your life will unfold.  Rates of diagnosed dementia increase with age. The point of greatest increase occurs in the mid to late 70’s.  Signs and symptoms of cognitive dysfunction begin to show long before the age of diagnosis.

Your age right now is the best time to address concerns of cognitive dysfunction.

The health factors driving the process of cognitive dysfunction and decline are in motion decades ahead of an official diagnosis.  Researchers have impressively dissected age related dementia and Alzheimer’s disease into many sub-categories and specific locations of brain damage.  Drug makers have trialed many 100’s of different medications.  None of these efforts have led to a satisfactory understanding of why these declines occur, and most importantly — meaningful treatments.   

Naturopathic medicine brings a paradigm transcending “drugs only” that does have answers and reasons to hope. The biochemical approach to medicine gives insights and evidence based pathways to slowing, stopping, and even reversing cognitive decline and dementia in its early stages.  

The concept of “neuroplasticity of the brain” refers to the ability of healthy brain tissue to learn, relearn, and physically reform itself based on life experiences, physical and mental stimulation. Our bodies, brains and cells want to be alive and healthy. The naturopathic doctor’s role is to enable that inherent truth to express itself. Naturopathic medicine seeks to enable each person to reach their maximum biological potential at any age and state of health.  

As with all living things, the “magic” of life and health is found within you.

A naturopathic doctor is much more a gardener than a mechanic in the methods pursued to assist the body in fulfilling its inherent motivation to heal and be healthy. 

Take a Cognitive Self Assessment

The post-COVID-19 syndrome referred to as “long covid” has many similarities with early cognitive decline.  Features of long covid are also extremely similar to what was known before COVID-19 as “chronic fatigue syndrome.”  Long covid and chronic fatigue cognitive dysfunction can affect people of any age.

Brain “fog”, lack of mental inertia, an inability to focus and stay on task, and difficulty completing tasks are familiar complaints. Forgetfulness that comes and goes with a severity from misplacing car keys to struggling with remembering even a spouse’s name can be part of this syndrome.

Disruption of cellular metabolism from chronic inflammation, nutrient deficiencies and imbalance, hormone imbalances, loss of blood sugar control, sleep apnea, insomnia and toxic insults from medications, unappreciated chemical exposures and heavy metals can all be at root.  A healthy nerve cell must have properly functioning mitochondria to perform their function, cooperate in their network, grow to form new connections and to self renew against always present oxidative stresses.

Root causes of cognitive decline can be measurable and treatable each on their own. These include thyroid and sex hormone imbalance, excess homocysteine, diabetes and metabolic syndrome with elevated blood sugar, gastrointestinal dysbiosis, excessive alcohol consumption, toxic mercury and reactions to other metals from dentistry, medications, exposures to harmful chemicals used in lawn and garden care, solvents and workplace exposures to list immediate causes to always consider and rule in or rule out.

A first visit with Dr. Clark includes a complete review of your complaints, health history, then forming a plan for general and specific laboratory testing, potential imaging, and a review of your cognitive self assessment. 

Take a Cognitive Self Assessment

Treatment plans focus first on remedying external factors that are contributing to cognitive decline, metabolic and hormonal imbalances, and gastrointestinal dysbiosis. Targeted nutrients and herbal medicines are employed to support mitochondrial function, nerve cell health, healing and regeneration.  Use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors when appropriate along with any other useful drug classes that fit the underlying pathologies uncovered are all worthwhile therapies to consider.  Referral to cognitive therapists such as speech pathologists for rehabilitation when hope for a return of normal neuroplasticity is promising.