Chiropractic and Its Role in Alzheimer's Disease

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By Martha Michael

Just about anyone over 50 can relate to forgetting where they parked the car or entering a room and not remembering what they were looking for. It’s not uncommon to then jump to conclusions that it’s a symptom of Alzheimer’s disease instead of chalking it up to an occasional lapse in brain acuity.

The truth is that memory problems are a natural part of aging -- not always a sign that you have a degenerative illness. If you do get a diagnosis, however, the fact there’s no cure for Alzheimer’s is a hard pill to swallow, but there are ways to reduce the risk factors and slow the rate of decline.

What Are the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

Changes in the brain have a significant impact on a person’s experiences, so illnesses that result in mental deterioration can be scary. There are many factors eroding brain function, but Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, according to an article by the Mayo Clinic. Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by a decline in:

• Memory
• Thinking
• Mood
• Behavior
• Social skills

More than 6 million seniors in America have been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and the vast majority are over 75 years old. Worldwide, there are 55 million people with dementia and an estimated 70 percent of them have Alzheimer's disease.

According to an article on the Cleveland Clinic website, there’s a continual increase in noticeable symptoms over time. Alzheimer's is typically identified by a drop in memory quality, but the disease unfolds in phases.

Pre Symptomatic or Preclinical Phase

In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, symptoms are not apparent, but the brain is changing. A person can remain asymptomatic for decades. People aren’t typically diagnosed in this stage; however, the presence of protein deposits, which is a physical indicator of Alzheimer’s disease, is visible in brain scans.

Mild Cognitive Impairment

Characterized by slight mental decline, the mild cognitive impairment phase, or MCI, is a step beyond signs of the aging process. At this point, the problems are not largely evident to people with MCI, but they can be validated through testing. Patients are able to continue with routine activities of daily living, known as ADL. When British Prime Minister Harold Wilson surprised the UK by resigning suddenly in 1976, it was reported that he was suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Moderate Stage

The longest phase of development is the moderate stage when symptoms become more noticeable and patients begin requiring care and assistance.

Alzheimer’s patients may experience:

• Greater loss of memory about past events and details
• Confusion about time and place
• Worsening short-term memory
• Trouble recognizing loved ones
• Repetitiveness
• Difficulty with math
• Need for assistance with self-care
• Personality changes
• Agitation or acting out
• Apathy or anxiety
• Paranoia or delusions
• Urinary or bowel incontinence
• Wandering
• Sleep disturbances

Full-blown Alzheimer’s Disease

When Alzheimer’s disease progresses, the patient loses some of their ability to complete activities of daily living. Symptoms may include:

• Struggling for words to express themselves
• Losing track of things
• Having difficulty making plans or organizing
• Having difficulty problem-solving
• Taking longer to complete routine daily tasks
• Frequent Infections
• Confused about their surroundings

What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?

Whether or not you have a family history of Alzheimer's disease, you've probably seen reports about famous people who have battled the disease. For performers such as Perry Como and Glen Campbell, it was a dramatic life change because it had a direct effect on their ability to perform. Actress Rita Hayworth was one of the earliest movie stars to openly release the news of her diagnosis. The disease spares nothing for celebrity or power. On Nov. 4, 1994, President Ronald Reagan wrote a letter to America, saying “I have been told that I am one of the millions of Americans who will be afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. … I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life.”

Research is ongoing to understand who is at risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and what causes symptoms to arise. Scientists point to a variety of factors leading to a diagnosis, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

From age 65 onward, your risk of developing the disease doubles every five years. From aging to having a genetic predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease, there’s nothing you can do to turn the tide, but there are other risk factors you can control.

Head injuries - Because brain trauma can lead to the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, be sure to wear helmets when biking, skating, and during extreme sports activities. Also, buckle your seat belt when riding in a vehicle.

Heart health - Your brain health is linked to the state of your vascular system. Because you need the nourishment of a rich blood flow to your brain cells, your heart has to be operating at its peak. Studies of brain tissue show that plaques and tangles can lead to Alzheimer’s symptoms if blood vessels in the brain have been damaged.

Aging and well-being - Remaining as healthy as possible while you age is one of the best ways you can reduce the risk of disease. A balanced diet and exercise contribute to overall wellness.

Can Chiropractic Help With the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease?

An article in The American Chiropractor says that Alzheimer’s tops the list of problems in healthcare today, at least for its financial ramifications. It’s predicted that approximately 45 million baby boomers in the United States will develop the disease, and that’s about 15 percent of the population.

One of the nation’s experts in neurodegenerative diseases, Dr. Dale Bredesen, believes a multi-faceted approach to battling Alzheimer’s disease is ideal. Unfortunately, many people don’t address it early because they keep their symptoms hidden. Dr. Bredesen believes we should seek early intervention for Alzheimer's disease in the same way we get early diagnostic testing for other conditions such as colonoscopies and pap smears. By getting an early cognitive assessment, you have a baseline that enables you to notice when there's cognitive decline.

Plasticity of the brain is a factor when considering the benefits of early detection. Dr. Bredesen says research shows a causal relationship between Alzheimer's disease and nerve cell signaling imbalance. Neurotransmitters involved in learning and making memories are damaged, causing memory loss and confusion. Factors affecting the balance of these nerve signals are:

• Estradiol
• Progesterone
• Vitamin D levels
• Stress levels
• Cortisol levels

The key is to optimize brain function. While chiropractic care is not a treatment for managing Alzheimer’s disease, your chiropractor can help you develop a healthy lifestyle program and discuss options with you for supporting the health of your brain such as:

• Developing a diet and exercise program
• Improving quality of sleep
• Decreasing systemic inflammation
• Implementing supplements into your routine

People live with challenges from forgetfulness to a poor sense of direction and sometimes it’s a natural part of aging while other times it’s a punchline. The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and the growing interest in reducing its impact on families has provided support for research and kept the conversation in play. As long as it stays on the front burner, the conversation continues rather than the needs of Alzheimer’s victims being forgotten.

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this page are for informational purposes only. The purpose of this post is to promote broad consumer understanding and knowledge of various health topics, including but not limited to the benefits of chiropractic care, exercise and nutrition. It is not intended to provide or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your chiropractor, physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment and before undertaking a new health care regimen, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this page.