🧠 TCM treatments for swallowing difficulties in Dementia Patients 🍽️

Difficulty Eating in Dementia Patients Can Generally Be Categorized into Three Main Causes:

1. Inability to open the mouth

2. Inability to chew due to weak bite

3. Forgetting to eat

Since most dementia patients are older, their muscle strength tends to decline. Coupled with neurological degeneration that impairs motor control, their ability to open the mouth and chew becomes progressively weaker. Acupuncture can help stimulate the relevant muscles to support and maintain their ability to eat.

To strengthen the jaw’s biting ability, a TCM practitioner may stimulate specific acupoints associated with different muscle groups using acupuncture techniques. Additionally, if the patient forgets to eat or has a diminished perception of hunger or food, the practitioner may apply acupuncture methods that stimulate the brain and open the sensory orifices to promote alertness.

Clinical studies have shown that stimulating acupoints such as Lianquan (CV23), Chengjiang (CV24), Fengchi (GB20), and Baihui (DU20) can help improve swallowing function. A four-week course of treatment combined with swallowing exercises can enhance throat function and reduce the risk of choking or aspiration while eating. Each acupuncture session is recommended to last at least 15 minutes, with at least three sessions per week for better results.

In terms of herbal medicine, formulas like Ban Xia Hou Po Tang have been shown in clinical research to improve swallowing function, reduce the incidence of aspiration pneumonia, and help maintain adequate food intake.

If you would like to know how Traditional Chinese Medicine can help improve the health and quality of life of a loved one with dementia, please feel free to contact me for a detailed assessment and treatment plan.