Multi Infarct Dementia Treatment in India

Vihaan Chopra, a 68-year-old retired history...

Vihaan Chopra, a 68-year-old retired history professor, was known for his sharp memory and love for storytelling. Over the past two years, his family noticed a stepwise decline. He would forget the names of his grandchildren, then suddenly recover, only to later get lost on his daily walk to the park. His symptoms weren't a smooth slide but a series of 'bad days' followed by plateaus. An MRI revealed multiple small, healed strokes (infarcts) in the areas of his brain responsible for memory and reasoning. His neurologist, Dr. Sharma, diagnosed Multi-Infarct Dementia (MID). She explained that while the damaged brain tissue couldn't be repaired, the goal was to aggressively prevent future strokes. The treatment plan was a dual approach: starting on a blood thinner (antiplatelet therapy) and a 'brain-health' regimen. This included strict management of his high blood pressure and diabetes, a heart-healthy diet, and supervised physical therapy. The experience was challenging for Vihaan, who struggled with the loss of independence and the strict medication schedule. Emotionally, he cycled between frustration, sadness, and apathy. However, after six months of consistent treatment, the 'step-downs' stopped. His memory stabilized. While he didn't regain lost ground, the frightening declines ceased. This stability brought profound relief. Vihaan shifted from despair to a cautious acceptance, finding new joy in listening to his old lectures and sharing simpler stories with his family, grateful for the halt in the progression.