Brain Health / Dementia
Integrative Medicine to Improve Your Brain Health/Dementia in Manhattan, New York, and Stamford, Connecticut
If you struggle with memory loss or simply have trouble concentrating or making decisions, it could be an early warning sign of dementia. The latest scientific evidence confirms that dementia is a condition that develops over 20-30 years before the first onset of memory loss. The New York Center for Integrative Health takes a holistic approach to improve your brain health and prevent dementia.
What is Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s?
Dementia describes a series of symptoms that affect your memory and executive functioning. Various conditions or infections can cause it, but it’s estimated that 60-80% of dementia patients have Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that disrupts communication between your neurons (brain cells), causing a destruction of memory centers within the brain and impacting multiple aspects of mental function. While there is much about the disease we do not understand, two hallmarks of disease include neurofibrillary tangles that collect inside your neurons and amyloid plaques that disrupt communication between them.
How Does Brain Health Assessment Work?
Our doctors use a combination of clinical assessment and diagnostic testing to understand the potential causes of your brain health challenges. Diagnostics might include blood work and an in-office EEG test we use called WAVi. A WAVi test gives us a snapshot of how your brain is functioning. It can measure your brain’s reaction time, attention, and memory. It can also show us how well different areas of your brain communicate with each other and measure the activity of different brain wave frequencies.
We combine this test with other diagnostic tools such as comprehensive blood work to check for abnormal hormones, vitamin deficiencies, or other issues that can affect your brain health. This can give us a clear picture of areas to target to improve your functioning. As there is no currently available test to diagnose Alzheimer’s, this information becomes a part of the complete clinical understanding used to help you.
We can also use these tests to discover conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and complications from head injuries, including concussions. After establishing a baseline, WAVi testing allows us to track improvement from treatment.
Once we have a complete picture of your health, we can work on treatments that provide your body with the tools to slow neurodegeneration and improve your overall brain health. Treatments like acupuncture, IV therapy, changes in your diet, and exercises that can improve brain functioning can be tailored to you to help you lead a fuller, healthier life. Contact our office today to learn more about how integrative medicine can help.
Dr. Robert Kachko, Founder and Director of the NY Center for Integrative Health, is a pioneer in Naturopathic and Integrative Medicine and has developed an extensive bio-psychosocial methodology for people living with chronic diseases. As Immediate Past President of the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians, Dr. Kachko advocates for healthcare reform to allow everyone accesses to the kind of care our clinic provides.
