I recently ran into a article that talks about the wonder of Magnesium how it can improve memory for those that have Dementia. My Momma does not have Dementia yet but however she does have MCI. Has any of you ever tried using a Magnesium supplement and it worked on their loved one? I have Magnesium tabs here, I take them, but before I give my Momma any of them I am curious if any of you ever tried this and it worked.
May I suggest that you read more about who these people are. The article that you linked is nothing but an elaborate advertisement with NO medical backing. None of the publishers is a physician. It is Bogus.
Memory loss can occur for many different reasons. One of the most common causes is undiagnosed/untreated depression. Also, any illness that reduces blood flow to the brain can also show cognitive effects. Vascular dementia, Lewy Body dementia, and Alzheimer's dementia all have different pathological causes and progress differently. Hence there is no predictable course without knowing more about the person.
Medicine has come a long way, and so have some doctors, but alternative medicine and learning how to eat properly and what to eat, has been helpful as well. Along with certain vitamins and minerals.
As a physician and a caregiver, I understand and appreciate your situation and frustration. The sad story is that most of the alternative treatment recommendations and dietary changes may have been helpful if adopted before the age of 30 or 40. 86 years of age is a bit late. Furthermore, the doctors you reference are also frustrated. We are trained to save lives, and when we can't, our feelings of helplessness is unfathomable. I think that also may account for the seeming aloofness of certain doctors when confronted by frustratingly ill patients for whom we have no cure.
It's generally accepted that people in their mid 80's have about a 30% chance of developing symptoms of dementia. By the mid 90's, the likelihood increases to 50%.
I wish it were different for your mom and my wife. I'm too much of a scientist to accept unsubstantiated bogus claims that challenge the currently available scientific evidence. Hopefully, increased research that is being funded in the latest congressional omnibus bill will bring more results in understanding and treating the ravages of dementia.
I'll give you an example. I am a Type 2 Diabetic. I was diagnosed with this back in 1996. I inherited it from my father and my grand father, so it runs in the family. I too thought I was going to be a slave to medications for the rest of my life in addition to watching my diet. It wasn't until a friend of mine told me about a group on Facebook called 'Reversing Diabetes' and once I joined that group and adopted to their findings and ways of eating, I am now taking less medicines and I'll soon be taking no medications for my diabetes. I was skeptical at first with their way of eating, but once I tried it for a month, it was amazing to me how really good I felt all over and how much energy I actually had.
No doctor I had ever seen told me about this before. I wonder why? Could it be that maybe they have never heard of this before? or they heard of it and didn't believe that this new way of eating actually works? The reasoning why is unclear.
So anyway, there are solutions and treatments....the trick is to find them.
Thank you DoctorJC and Errett for your comments and advice and hugs. They were greatly appreciated.
drhyman/blog/2010/06/14/9-steps-to-reverse-dementia-and-memory-loss-as-you-age-2/