Q My forgetfulness has gotten worse and I'm worried it might be early dementia. What is mild cognitive impairment (MCI)?
A MCI is a pre-dementia stage where memory has declined but you can still manage daily life on your own. About 15% of MCI cases progress to dementia each year, so managing it at this stage is most important.
Detailed Answer
MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) is a stage where memory and judgment have noticeably declined compared to peers of the same age, but daily life is not significantly affected. It is a gray zone between normal aging and dementia; if left unmanaged, 10-15% progress each year to dementia such as Alzheimer's. On the other hand, studies show that managing risk factors and stimulating the brain at this stage can slow or even reverse the progression.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
In Korean medicine, the core cause of cognitive decline is seen as a deficiency of kidney essence (腾精不足), in which the kidney's vital essence diminishes with age and can no longer adequately nourish the brain marrow (腦髓). Since the heart and spleen also govern memory and concentration, treatment focuses on tonifying the kidney, heart, and spleen together to restore the nourishment and energy flowing to the brain.
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