Cognitive Decline Care in Pagosa Springs

Improve brain function and think more clearly with functional medicine. Let’s create a personalized wellness plan just for you.

At Alpine Medical, we want to help everyone add happy, fulfilling years to their lives. Whether you or a loved one is experiencing cognitive decline, we know how uncertain the future can look. However, a personalized plan incorporating nutrition and lifestyle changes can make a difference.

In many cases, cognitive decline is connected to gut health, hormone imbalances, and lifestyle habits. Functional medicine corrects these underlying health issues using natural therapies.

If you are experiencing cognitive decline, don’t hesitate to find care. The earlier we address forgetfulness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances, the higher the chance of slowing the aging process.

What is Cognitive Decline?

Cognitive decline refers to the gradual weakening of mental faculties due to disease, injury, or addiction. It’s an umbrella term that contains specific conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, or substance abuse. Symptoms of cognitive decline include memory loss, difficulty concentrating and focusing, impaired judgment and decision-making, slowed thinking and processing speed, language problems, disorientation and confusion, challenges with problem-solving and planning, decreased spatial awareness, and mood and personality changes.

When caught early, cognitive decline can often be addressed and treated in order to slow or reverse the underlying illness.

Causes of Cognitive Decline

When the body isn’t able to restore lost or damaged brain cells, cognitive decline can occur. While we see cases of cognitive decline in all ages, elderly people are most susceptible to cognitive decline because as our bodies get older, they lose the ability to replenish tissues and cells–including our brain cells.

However, brain cells can be lost for a number of reasons–including disease, medication, and traumatic injury. Continue reading for examples of lifestyle changes functional medicine practitioners recommend in these situations.

Signs of Cognitive Decline

Are you concerned that you may be in the early stages of cognitive decline? Take a look at the following list and see if they match your experience. You can also ask friends and family for guidance.

Cognitive decline often manifests as:

Having trouble finding the right words to express yourself, especially compared to others of the same age
Losing or misplacing things
Forgetting appointments and scheduled events
Experiencing brain fog and inability to focus
Becoming overwhelmed by complex tasks and projects

Note that cognitive decline is more than forgetting a grocery every once in a while or feeling stressed when asked to complete tasks at work. As with any medical condition, it’s important to speak with a licensed doctor for an accurate diagnosis. However, you know your body, and if you feel as though something is off with your mental faculties, it’s best to come into Alpine Medical for an evaluation.

Find Treatment for Cognitive Decline in Pagosa Springs

Tabitha Zappone, FNP-C, provides a supportive, comfortable environment at Alpine Medical. She prioritizes one-on-one appointments where you are able to share your questions and concerns. When it comes to cognitive decline, it’s important to have someone in your corner who understands your unique situation and tailors your wellness plan to meet your needs.

Here are some of the strategies Tabitha incorporates into cognitive decline wellness plans.

Holistic treatment: The body is complicated and one seemingly unimportant system might be the cause of all your symptoms. For example, the gut has been linked to changes in cognitive ability. So, cleaning up diet and hormones could lead to improvements in thinking and reasoning.
Personalized care: Wellness plans only work when they’re followed. Not only that, your wellness plan needs to fit with your body’s needs. Let’s create a care plan that works for you. No one-size-fits-all solutions here.
We become your health partner: Many of our happiest patients have worked with us for years. People in Pagosa Springs and across southern Colorado stick with us because they’ve seen the power of functional medicine. Cognitive decline can take years to treat and manage. At Alpine Medical, we become your long-standing health partner.

We would love to speak more to you about our cognitive decline treatments in Pagosa Springs. Please give us a call to set up a complimentary consultation. During our conversations, you’ll have the chance to describe your symptoms, health history, and goals in treatment. It’s the first step toward reaching your full health potential.