Dementia-Prime&Naturals

In clinic, people with dementia often present with changes in cognition and memory.

Common features include:

Reduced short-term memory, such as easily forgetting recent events
Difficulty remembering conversations, or needing to ask the same questions repeatedly
Putting things down and being unable to recall where they were placed
Hesitation or uncertainty in familiar places or on familiar routes

As the condition progresses, some people may develop difficulty expressing themselves, reduced understanding and weaker judgement.

In more advanced stages, daily planning and independent self-care may also be affected. When cognitive changes become more frequent and begin to affect day-to-day function, clinical assessment is needed to determine whether this is dementia rather than simple age-related memory decline.

1. How does modern medicine understand dementia?

Dementia is a group of neurodegenerative conditions characterised by ongoing decline in cognitive function. Common types include:

Alzheimer’s disease

This is the most common type and is associated with abnormal protein build-up in the brain and progressive nerve degeneration.

Vascular dementia

This is related to cerebrovascular disease or a history of stroke.

Dementia with Lewy bodies and frontotemporal dementia

These are less common, but each has its own characteristic clinical features.

The main areas commonly affected include:

Memory
Language
Judgement and executive function
Spatial awareness and orientation
Behaviour and mood

Disease characteristics:

Slow progression
Early symptoms may be difficult to notice
Self-care and independent living are increasingly affected over time

2. Common management approaches in modern medicine

Current treatment focuses on slowing decline and maintaining function.

Medication

This may include cholinesterase inhibitors, NMDA receptor modulators and other appropriate medicines.

Cognitive training and rehabilitation

These approaches aim to support memory and thinking function.

Behavioural and environmental adjustment

These help reduce confusion and lower safety risks.

Chronic disease management

Management of blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol may help reduce vascular contribution to cognitive decline.

Clinical focus: early recognition and ongoing management may help slow functional decline.

3. How does Chinese Medicine understand this condition?

In Chinese Medicine, dementia is often discussed within the categories of forgetfulness and cognitive decline. It is generally understood as a mixed pattern of deficiency and excess, with deficiency as the main underlying basis.

From the perspective of disease progression, the early stage is often related to Kidney essence deficiency. In Chinese Medicine, the brain is regarded as the sea of marrow, and when essence is depleted, the brain is less well nourished, leading to decline in memory and responsiveness.

As the condition develops, Qi and Blood deficiency may further reduce nourishment, resulting in slower thinking and reduced mental vitality. At the same time, phlegm turbidity and blood stasis may obstruct the clear orifices, affecting thinking, judgement and verbal expression.

Common underlying patterns include:

Kidney essence deficiency

This may be associated with reduced memory and slower responsiveness.

Qi and Blood deficiency

Reduced support for mental clarity and vitality may contribute to slower thinking and reduced alertness.

Phlegm turbidity obstructing the orifices

This may present as dull responses, reduced clarity and difficulty with expression.

Blood stasis internally obstructing

Impaired circulation may be associated with gradual decline in cognitive function.

Overall, this condition may be understood as Kidney essence and Qi-Blood deficiency as the root, with phlegm and blood stasis obstructing the clear orifices as the branch.

4. Pattern assessment at prime&naturals

Assessment considers cognitive changes, behavioural presentation and overall constitution to identify the main clinical pattern.

Common Chinese Medicine patterns include:

Kidney essence deficiency pattern

Common experience: memory decline and slower responses
Assessment focus: reduced nourishment to the brain

Qi and Blood deficiency pattern

Common experience: low mental energy and slower thinking
Assessment focus: insufficient nourishment and support

Phlegm turbidity obstructing the orifices pattern

Common experience: dull responses and unclear speech or expression
Assessment focus: obstruction of mental clarity

Blood stasis internally obstructing pattern

Common experience: gradual functional decline or relatively faster progression
Assessment focus: impaired circulation affecting cognition

The core of pattern assessment is to determine whether deficiency is the main issue, or whether obstruction is having a greater impact on cognition.

5. Treatment approach at prime&naturals

For dementia, the treatment focus is strengthening underlying support, helping open and clear the orifices, and maintaining function, alongside neurological care.

Treatment focuses may include:

Supporting the brain’s underlying nourishment

Helping support memory and thinking function.

Reducing the effect of phlegm turbidity and blood stasis

Supporting clearer mental function and better cognitive processing.

Stabilising the overall condition

This may include support for sleep, mood and daily rhythm.

Helping slow cognitive decline

The aim is to help maintain day-to-day ability and quality of life.

Depending on the individual situation, treatment may include Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture and lifestyle advice. This should be coordinated with neurological assessment and medical treatment.

6. When may Chinese Medicine support be considered?

If dementia has already been diagnosed, or the person is in an early observation stage, Chinese Medicine support may be considered when the following concerns are present:

Ongoing decline in memory
Slower cognition or responsiveness
Changes in language or communication ability
Noticeable mood or behavioural changes
A wish to help slow progression alongside standard treatment

Clinical focus: whether the person has entered a stage that requires long-term cognitive and functional support.

However, specialist assessment should be prioritised if any of the following occur:

Memory is worsening rapidly
Daily living or personal safety is clearly affected
There are marked changes in mood or behaviour
There is a history of stroke or other neurological problems

Dementia is a chronic progressive condition. Alongside appropriate medical care, longer-term adjustment and functional support may help maintain cognition and quality of life.