By Dr. Michael Miles
It is a common phenomenon for aging individuals to experience a winding down process in various areas of the body at different times. Diminishment of brain function, referred to as dementia, or Senile Dementia, is an example of one such area. The most common cause for this deterioration is a neurodegenerative process known as Alzheimer’s Disease.
Though the cause is unknown, the degenerative process of Alzheimer’s often starts in the hippocampus at the base of the brain. It eventually leaves plaque throughout the brain that is detectable on MRI.
Alzheimer’s often begins as short term memory loss and progresses to disorientation, mood swings, loss of motivation and loss of self care. Though the exact cause of Alzheimer’s Disease is not fully understood, it is thought to originate in many people through genetic predisposition. Other theories include a viral initiator or a toxic-metal initiator or a response to low level electromagnetic field exposure or even pollutants in the air. Contributing factors may include genetics, head injuries, depression and hypertension.
Though the neurodegenerative process may take years to evolve into depletion of function, once symptoms begin to show Alzheimer’s can progress rapidly with devastating effects in 3-9 years.
In general, dementia not caused by Alzheimer’s Disease is a milder experience that is not considered progressive because it is usually a much slower process of cognitive depletion.
Treatment strategies for dementia focus on enhancing perfusion of nutrients to the brain by way of blood flow. Imagine a garden that is not getting perfused well with water. Many plants will wilt. Some will die. By supplying the plants with water, they can be revitalized and flourish. Even if some of the plants have died, the ones around them may be able to take up the slack.
Considerations for enhancing blood flow to the brain would include inversion table, head massage and trampoline exercises. Also, the herb Gingko biloba and the amino acid arginine dilate blood vessels servicing the brain. Make sure you are taking basic nutrients (healthy food choices, vitamin and mineral supplements, pure water, etc). And, as the old adage suggests; “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” So, keep your brain active. Do bookkeeping, puzzles, thinking games (cards, chess, etc).
There may be a free-radical, breaking-down component to dementia that can be slowed with anti-oxidants. Glutathoine is perhaps the strongest anti-oxidant in our bodies. Unfortunately, glutathione does not assimilate well orally. Therefore, it is best to get it intravenously or by taking the amino acid that forms it. This amino acid is cysteine. It is best taken by mouth in the form N-Acetyl Cysteine, or “NAC.”
Another consideration is Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. This entails a compression chamber that uses pressure to drive oxygen into the brain cells directly, thus revitalizing them.
So, using the analogy of the garden, the brain is tended daily and is being fertilized with “vitamins and minerals.” It is getting more trenches dug with “inversion table, etc,” is getting these trenches widened with “ginkgo,” and is getting the area weeded with “glutathione.” And, optimally, it is getting direct rain fall with “hyperbaric oxygen.”
Dr. Michael Miles’ Clinic is located at 15601 N. Oracle Rd. in Catalina behind Golf Cars of Arizona.You can learn more about the Catalina Clinic and Dr. Miles by visiting the website: www.catalinaclinic.com. To contact Dr. Miles or make an appointment at the clinic call 520-825-8100.