Dementia: Review of its Understanding and Management in Ayurveda

Abstract

Dementia is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative brain disorder where there is impairment of several higher functions like memory, comprehension, thinking, learning, calculation, judgement, and language etc. The complex progressive process of neurodegeneration due to various risk factors like diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, genetic factors and oxidative stress etc leads to dementia. Dementia has been related to Smritibuddhihrras by Ayurvedic scholars and this is a disease of Manovaha srotas. There is a strong concept for management for this type of diseases in Ayurveda. The pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies mentioned in Ayurvedic literatures and the good dietary and lifestyle measures can prove a turning point in management of these neurodegenerative diseases and dementia.