Recently, the TV drama "All Is Well" has been popular. The family dynamics of the Su siblings and their parents in the drama have sparked discussions. In the latest plot, Su Daqiang starts to forget things and doesn't remember his daughter Mingyu's home. He forgets the name of his second daughter-in-law Zhu Li and is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. But is forgetfulness always a sign of Alzheimer's? Not necessarily!
Is Memory Decline Always Alzheimer's?
In addition to Alzheimer's, brain atrophy can also cause memory decline.
In the early stage of brain atrophy, there is often a decline in recent memory, such as frequently misplacing items or forgetting what was eaten yesterday, and a decrease in the ability to judge time, location, and orientation.
Gradually, there may also be slow movements, delayed reactions, murmuring to oneself, and changes in personality. People become depressed, dislike socializing, or become more selfish, suspicious, and have strange personalities.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease, medically known as Alzheimer's disease (AD), is characterized by memory impairment, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia, visuospatial skill impairment, executive dysfunction, personality and behavioral changes, and severely affects social, work, and daily life.
AD often occurs in old age or pre-old age. If it occurs before the age of 65, it is called early-onset Alzheimer's; if it occurs after the age of 65, it is called late-onset Alzheimer's.
People at High Risk of Alzheimer's Disease
1. Age-related data better illustrates this point: the incidence of AD is 6.9% in people under 75 years old, 18.6% in people aged 75-84, and 26.1% in people aged 85 and above.
2. The incidence rate in women is significantly higher than in men, at about 26:7. This may be related to the decline in estrogen levels after menopause in women or the fact that women tend to live longer than men.
3. People with low education levels, especially illiterates or those without formal occupations.
4. Divorced or widowed individuals who do not remarry, and those who do not participate in group or community activities.
5. Introverted personality, poor mental health, and those who have experienced psychological trauma.
6. Patients with hypertension, diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, or hyperlipidemia are more likely to develop dementia in old age.
[Diet Therapy]
In traditional Chinese medicine, this disease is caused by the decline of organ function. The aging process of the body is closely related to the abundance or decline of kidney qi. Nourishing the kidneys, replenishing essence, and nourishing the marrow are the fundamental ways to prevent and treat it, while also considering dispelling wind, resolving phlegm, and improving blood circulation. In clinical practice, I often recommend the following two diet therapies to AD patients:
Walnut Porridge:
30g of walnut kernels, 20g of glutinous rice, 10 jujubes (pitted), wash and cook the porridge over low heat, 2 times a day.
Black Sesame Porridge:
3g of black sesame, 10g of glutinous rice, wash and cook the porridge over low heat, add honey to taste, once a day.
