TCM diagnosis Based on Syndrome Differentiation:
Despite the fact that brain disorders can be described generally by the theoretical framework of traditional Chinese medicine, many physicians working in China continue to rely on differentiating cases. The particular disorder, Alzheimer's disease, may occur either from a variety of different causes or from a basic cause in a variety of constitutional situations. The primary differential categories used by Chinese doctors to describe senile dementia are:

-- Hot phlegm clogging the orifices.
-- Spleen and kidney yang deficiency, with phlegm and stagnating blood obstructing the orifices to the brain.
-- Spleen qi deficiency, with phlegm and stagnating blood obstructing the orifices to the brain.
-- Liver qi stagnation, with entanglement of qi, accumulation of phlegm, and stagnating blood.
-- Qi and blood stagnation, obstructing the orifices to the brain.
-- Deficiency of liver and kidney yin, with phlegm and stagnating blood obstructing the orifices and with generation of internal wind.

According to the category that seems most appropriate, one may tonify qi, yin, and/or yang, disperse qi and blood, and resolve phlegm accumulation. The tonic herbs to be used are the same as those commonly found in traditional formulas to treat problems of aging: ginseng, astragalus, atractylodes, dioscorea, rehmannia, lycium fruit, cistanche, and morinda. For unclogging the orifices, acorus, polygala, arisaema, typhonium, and alum are used in various combinations. Acorus and polygala are said to restore proper communication between the kidney and heart;. Alum (an aluminum sulfate compound) and arisaema are considered remedies for "mental phlegm." Sedative herbs are sometimes included in prescriptions for dementia, including zizyphus, fu-shen, biota, dragon bone, and oyster shell.

Diagnosis in Western Medicine:
Alzheimer's is diagnosed through a complete medical assessment. If you or a loved one have concerns about memory loss or other symptoms of Alzheimer's or dementia, it is important to be evaluated by a physician.

There is no single test that can show whether a person has Alzheimer's. While physicians can almost always determine if a person has dementia, it may be difficult to determine the exact cause. Diagnosing Alzheimer's requires careful medical evaluation, including:

Mental status testing
A physical and neurological exam
A thorough medical history
Tests (such as blood tests and brain imaging) to rule out other causes of dementia-like symptoms

Having trouble with memory does not mean you have Alzheimer's. Many health issues can cause problems with memory and thinking. When dementia-like symptoms are caused by treatable conditions - such as depression, drug interactions, thyroid problems, excess use of alcohol or certain vitamin deficiencies - they may be reversed.