Dementia is a group of conditions characterized by progressive cognitive decline, affecting memory, thinking, and behavior. Symptoms often begin subtly, such as forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating, but they can advance to significant impairment that impacts daily life, independence, and relationships.
At Shine Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA, dementia care is overseen by Kimberley Shine, MD.
With her integrative and functional medicine approach, Dr. Shine focuses on symptom management and exploring underlying contributors such as toxin exposure, nutritional deficiencies, and lifestyle factors. She strives to help patients and their families navigate dementia with compassion, personalized care, and strategies to support quality of life.
Causes and Risk Factors
Dementia develops as a result of a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Common contributors include:
- Age: The risk increases significantly after the age of 65.
- Family History: Genetics can play a role, especially in Alzheimer’s disease.
- Toxicity Exposure: Heavy metals, pesticides, and environmental toxins may contribute to cognitive decline.
- Cardiovascular Health: High blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol increase dementia risk.
- Nutritional Deficiencies: Low levels of B vitamins, vitamin D, or antioxidants can impair brain health.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, poor diet, inactivity, and chronic stress.
Understanding these risk factors enables the development of effective prevention strategies and personalized care plans.
Symptoms of Dementia
Symptoms vary depending on the type of dementia, but they generally include:
- Memory loss that disrupts daily life
- Difficulty planning, problem-solving, or completing tasks
- Confusion about time or place
- Trouble understanding visual or spatial information
- Changes in mood, personality, or behavior
- Difficulty with communication or language
- Withdrawal from social or work activities
Early recognition is crucial, as timely care can slow progression and enhance quality of life.
How Dementia Is Diagnosed
At Shine Health and Wellness, dementia evaluation includes a comprehensive assessment to identify cognitive decline and contributing factors. Diagnosis may involve:
- Medical History and Exam: Reviewing symptoms, family history, and lifestyle factors.
- Cognitive Testing: Assessing memory, problem-solving, and language skills.
- Laboratory Testing: Checking for vitamin deficiencies, thyroid dysfunction, or infections.
- Imaging Studies: MRI or CT scans are used to detect brain changes or rule out other potential causes.
- Functional Medicine Testing: Exploring toxin exposure, inflammation, and gut-brain health connections.
This thorough approach ensures a clear diagnosis and guides individualized treatment planning.
Treatment Options for Dementia
While there is no cure for dementia, treatment can help manage symptoms, slow progression, and improve patient well-being. At Shine Health and Wellness, care may include:
- Medication Management: Coordinating with specialists for medications that support memory and cognition.
- Nutritional Counseling: Diets rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and brain-supporting nutrients.
- Detoxification Support: Strategies to reduce toxin burden that may contribute to cognitive decline.
- Lifestyle Guidance: Exercise, stress reduction, and mental stimulation to support brain function.
- Supplement Support: Vitamins, minerals, and botanicals targeted at brain health and inflammation.
- Caregiver Support: Guidance for families managing the challenges of dementia.
- Ongoing Monitoring: Regular follow-ups to adapt care as needs evolve.
This holistic approach addresses both medical and lifestyle factors to create a more comprehensive care plan.
The Role of Toxicity in Dementia
Emerging research suggests a strong link between toxin exposure and dementia. Heavy metals, pesticides, and environmental pollutants may contribute to oxidative stress, inflammation, and brain cell damage.
At Shine Health and Wellness, treatment often includes functional medicine testing to identify toxin burden and strategies to support safe detoxification. By reducing environmental and dietary exposures, patients may experience improved resilience and better overall health.
Why Choose Shine Health and Wellness?
Kimberley Shine, MD, has more than a decade of medical experience and is deeply committed to patient-centered care. Her expertise in integrative and functional medicine ensures that dementia care addresses not just symptoms, but also underlying contributors like toxicity, nutrition, and lifestyle.
Patients also benefit from a collaborative care team that includes experienced nurses, a lifestyle coach, and a licensed acupuncturist. Together, they provide compassionate and comprehensive care designed to support patients and their families through every stage of dementia.
Support for Cognitive Health
Dementia can be challenging, but compassionate, personalized care can make a meaningful difference. At Shine Health and Wellness in Pasadena, CA, Dr. Kimberley Shine and her team offer integrative treatment plans to manage symptoms, address underlying causes, and enhance overall quality of life. Call 626-317-0207today to schedule a consultation.