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| Standard Definition |
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Dementia is a mental disorder that includes memory loss and at least one of the following: difficulty speaking, impaired movement, and inability to plan and initiate appropriate behaviours socially or at work. Dementia usually occurs in elderly people with Alzheimer's disease accounting for half to two thirds of all dementia cases. |
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| Underlying Disruption in Function |
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The brain is particularly susceptible to the effects of poor nutrition, poor blood supply, free radical damage and toxin or drug exposure. All these factors can contribute to a decline in brain function and the development of dementia. |
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| Possible Causes, Triggers & Exacerbating Factors |
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- Cerebrovascular disease (ie. poor blood supply to the brain due to underlying atherosclerosis)
- Traumatic brain injury, brain tumour
- Alzheimer's disease
- Parkinson's, Huntington's, Creutzfeldt-Jakob, and other brain-centered diseases
- Vitamin B, essential fatty acid and other deficiencies
- Drug or alcohol abuse, medications, or exposure to toxic substances
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| Common Signs & Symptoms |
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- Memory loss or impairment
- Language problems
- Motor skills difficulties (such as balance and walking)
- Poor recognition of objects and ability to judge distances
- Inability to think abstractly
- Depression, suicidal behavior, anxiety, mood and sleep problems, hallucinations
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| Possible Additional Integrative Medicine Diagnostic Tests |
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(This is additional information that does not replace nor negate conventional diagnosis. Other tests may be useful depending on the individual circumstance.)
- Vitamin and Mineral assessment
- Heavy Metal and Toxicity assessment
- Biochemical assessments
- Hormonal testing
- Drug, Herb, Nutrient assessment
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