Health for All says
Geriatric depression is a common psychological disorder, which is mainly manifested as long-term depression, unhappiness, irritability, and low mood in the elderly, accompanied by physical discomfort, such as insomnia, chest tightness, loss of appetite, etc., which seriously affects the quality of life of the elderly. With the aging of the population, the incidence of geriatric depression is gradually increasing, therefore, we should improve the understanding of geriatric depression in our daily life, early prevention and **.
Traditional Chinese medicine has a long history and has accumulated rich experience and methods of depression in the elderly. According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, senile depression is mainly related to spleen and stomach qi deficiency, liver stagnation and qi stagnation, and heart and spleen disharmony. Therefore, the core of TCM ** geriatric depression is to adjust the function of the spleen and stomach, channel liver qi, and soothe the mood. The following is an introduction to several common methods of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions** for depression in the elderly.
First of all, nourish the mind and calm the nerves. Among them, the most famous is the "cinnabar six gentlemen's soup", which is mainly composed of cinnabar, white peony, bupleurum, ginger, jujube, and licorice. This formula has the effects of invigorating blood circulation and removing blood stasis, soothing the liver and relieving depression, calming the nerves, and can effectively alleviate the symptoms of depression in the elderly and improve sleep quality.
Secondly, regulate the spleen and stomach. Commonly used prescriptions are "Four Gentlemen Soup" and "Six Gentlemen Soup", both of which are mainly composed of ginseng, atractylodes and poria cocos, which have the effect of strengthening the spleen and invigorating qi and harmonizing the middle qi, which can increase the qi and blood in the body of the elderly, improve immunity, and thus improve the mood and physical condition of the elderly.
In addition, acupuncture can also be used to depress in the elderly. Acupuncture is an important part of traditional Chinese medicine, which can regulate the flow of qi and blood in the human body, improve the function of internal organs, and relieve tension and fatigue of the body and mind by stimulating specific acupuncture points. For elderly patients with depression, commonly used acupuncture points include the large vertebrae, heart and spleen Yu, Shenmen, etc. Acupuncture** can promote blood circulation, improve oxygen supply to the brain, and enhance the resistance of the elderly, thereby effectively alleviating symptoms of depression.
In addition, dietary conditioning is also one of the important ways to alleviate depression in old age. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that poor nutrition and improper diet can lead to dysfunction of internal organs, which in turn can lead to depression. Therefore, in the daily diet, the elderly should pay attention to balanced nutrition and eat more foods rich in vitamin B and omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, nuts, vegetables and fruits, etc., to maintain the normal function of the brain.
To sum up, senile depression is a common psychological disorder, and TCM has rich experience and methods of geriatric depression. By regulating the spleen and stomach, channeling liver qi, and soothing mood, it can effectively alleviate the symptoms of depression in the elderly and improve the quality of life. In addition, dietary conditioning and acupuncture** are also important means of alleviating depression in old age. Therefore, in daily life, the elderly and their families should pay attention to the prevention and development of depression in the elderly, and seek professional TCM help as soon as possible to ensure the physical and mental health of the elderly.
Health References:
1.Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine. (2015).Correlation analysis between TCM diagnostic elements and depression rating criteria in the elderly. Journal of Geriatrics, 19(4), 233-240