Hildreth on Health

What can we do about changes to the aging brain?

Dr. DeWall J. Hildreth

What are the concerns of aging brain? What are the changes that should concern us? Which changes might we be able to do something about and which changes might be progressive and permanent?

Let’s start by taking one question at a time. First, what do we mean by changes?

The patient starts with a decline in cognitive function. Typically, the person involved will notice changes first but will be afraid to discuss them with close loved ones.

This may begin with short-term memory loss and inability to learn new information. He or she will and can cover changes up for some time because of embarrassment or fear of the future. In many cases, it is so common that we will all make a joke of it.

This is the time that it should be brought out, addressed, and done something about. I will tell you about it later.

As time goes on, it will aggress to possibly include loss of ability to concentrate, moodiness and emotional changes, reduced intellectual ability, feeling weak, passive attitudes, and reduced interest in surroundings and going places.

Up to this point, the underlying causes are usually what we call functional and in most cases correctable with the patient and the partner’s help. This is a crucial time to medically intervene.

As the symptoms progress, the impairment of recent memory becomes more profound and advanced. There is constant misplacing of everyday items such as car keys and eyeglasses. At this time, the person may start accusing everyone else of taking them and is not aware of the forgetfulness. Disorientation develops with loss of familiar surroundings such as driving on well-known streets. Because of this development of overwhelming loss, anxiety, depression and aggressive behavior may develop, depending upon the mental temperament of the individual 20 years earlier.

All this reaction would be a normal reaction to any of us that were placed in a setting where everything around us is foreign, including the people. So, consistent agitation, apathy (or giving up) and then depression or anxiety and irritability would be the norm. When symptoms progress to this point, the underlying cause has also progressed.

Groups of symptoms

As mentioned earlier, the groups of symptoms that I grouped under the heading of “functional” means that minimal tissue changes or destruction have taken place.

First, the brain dysfunction would more than likely be secondary to damaging effects of chronic inflammation causing dysfunctional and possibly early reversible damage to both cerebral blood vessels and neurons (brain cells).

The second common concern would be changes in lifestyle and diet leading to nutrient deficiencies. I have noticed critical nutrient deficiencies in many older people that we are working with.

The third concern that creates functional brain changes is hormonal imbalance. Decreased levels of key hormones in both the male as well as the female, even though the reaction to the imbalance may be different, is expected.

The fourth area of concern is a slow decrease in oxygen to the brain because of arterial changes, lifestyle habits, lack of exercise (physical and mental) and increased mental stress.

Mental overload can play a huge role in the development of functional brain dysfunction. Two or three chemical deficiencies that are common are reduced levels of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters, also essential fatty acids. The brain is made up of essential fatty acids that are easily oxidized. The brain’s main food for function is sugar and any reduction in blood sugar or oxygen to the brain will influence its function.

Fifth, don’t overlook a common one in this day and age and that is side effects to prescription medication.

There are several good blood tests that give us feedback as to ongoing free radical oxidative damage within the body. If there is evidence of considerable oxidative damage going on in other parts of the body, it is most likely affecting the brain also, even before there are clinical changes noted.

Chronic ongoing inflammation in the brain can be and is devastating. The fatty makeup of the brain is very amenable to “spoilage.” The more spoilage, the less chance of reversal and the more deep-seated brain dysfunction. Research has come a long way in understanding the chemical needs within the cells and the mitochondria of the brain.

We have also come a long way in knowing what to expect clinically in the way of symptoms when certain biochemicals in the way of neurotransmitters are deficient or for some reason not usable at the cell level. The whole secret is to reduce the oxidation and destructive pattern of cell tissue, replace the nutrients that are deficient, instill good oxygen supply that may be missing for whatever reason, and use. Use will reinstill need of metabolism and the production of energy requirements and eliminate waste products.

Functional, organic

We have divided the two brain diseases up into functional and organic (which means there is tissue damage that has taken place).

Unless the brain dysfunction is secondary to a stroke, a tumor, trauma or the contact with toxic elements such as gases, heavy metals or other poisonous substances, the easier possible corrections can be made. The more brain tissue that can be preserved, the better the chances of normalcy into old age.

At this time, there is much debate among researchers as to whether mild cognitive decline and other memory problems are a risk factor for developing more serious neurological and brain-damaging organic neurological diseases such as dementia or Alzheimer’s.

More depth on dementia and Alzheimer’s will be discussed next time. The more we know, the better our chances are. Take care, and have a good week.

Contact Dr. DeWall J. Hildreth at 625-1101 or cnhcgv@yahoo.com. Dr. Hildreth specializes in hormone balancing and musclo-skeletal degeneration. He practices with Continental Natural Health Clinic at 210 W. Continental Road, Suite 130. His column appears biweekly in the Green Valley News.