What is dementia?
Dementia isn’t a single disease, but a collective term that describes multiple symptoms of cognitive decline, including memory loss. In addition to memory, dementia affects the way a person communicates, thinks, and behaves.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, making up about 60-80% of cases. An estimated 10% of adults aged 65 or older have Alzheimer’s disease. However, dementia isn’t a normal part of aging and may occur in younger people.
Other forms of dementia include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Certain conditions, such as a traumatic brain injury or Huntington’s disease, may lead to dementia.
What are the symptoms of dementia?
Dementia symptoms vary with the specific cause. Common signs and symptoms of dementia include:
- Memory loss, such as asking questions repeatedly
- Misplacing things, such as car keys or a wallet
- Difficulty communicating, including forgetting words or using the wrong ones
- Disorientation, such as getting lost on a familiar route
- Personality changes, including irritability
- Problems completing familiar tasks, such as cooking a meal
- Psychological changes, including anxiety and depression
Symptoms of dementia usually start out mild and worsen over time. A person with advanced dementia may require full-time care.
How does medical marijuana treat dementia?
Scientists are currently researching the effects of cannabis on the brain, but early studies suggest promising results. Medical cannabis may reduce behavioral symptoms in people with dementia, including:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Irritability
- Aggression
- Agitation
There’s no cure for dementia. Conventional treatments, such as pharmaceuticals, often cause harsh side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and sleep disturbances. Medical cannabis causes a few minor side effects; the most common of which is sleepiness.
How can I obtain medical marijuana for dementia?
According to the Compassionate Use Program, Texas residents with a diagnosis of dementia qualify for medical marijuana.
Dr. Kendrick uses virtual consults to evaluate a patient’s symptoms and medical history in order to determine if medical cannabis is an appropriate treatment.
She then writes a prescription for low-dose THC, which you take to a dispensary. If you’re caring for a loved one with dementia, you may legally obtain the medicine on their behalf.
For a holistic approach to dementia treatment, call Compassionate Telemedicine, or book an appointment online today.
