Is Alzheimer’s And Dementia The Same Thing

Who Has Alzheimers Disease

• In 2020, as many as 5.8 million Americans were living with Alzheimers disease.1
• Younger people may get Alzheimers disease, but it is less common.
• The number of people living with the disease doubles every 5 years beyond age 65.
• This number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.1
• Symptoms of the disease can first appear after age 60, and the risk increases with age.

How Are They Different

When a person is diagnosed with dementia, they are being diagnosed with a set of symptoms. This is similar to someone who has a sore throat. Their throat is sore but it is not known what is causing that particular symptom. It could be allergies, a common cold or strep throat. Similarly, when someone has dementia they are experiencing symptoms without being told what is causing those symptoms.

Another major difference between the two is that Alzheimers is not a reversible disease. It is degenerative and incurable at this time. Some forms of dementia, such as a drug interaction or a vitamin deficiency, are actually reversible or temporary.

Once a cause of dementia is found, appropriate treatment and counseling can begin. Until a proper diagnosis is made, the best approach to any dementia is communication, engagement and loving care.

Stages Of Alzheimers Disease

Some features of Alzheimers disease are commonly classified into three stages, or phases. Not all these features will be present in every person, and they might occur at different stages.

Mild Alzheimers disease

Sometimes this stage is only apparent in hindsight. The onset of Alzheimers disease is usually gradual and it is often impossible to identify exactly when it began.

Someone might:

• have difficulty shopping or preparing meals.

Moderate Alzheimers disease

At this stage, the impacts of the condition are more apparent and prevalent. A person may experience significant challenges to their independence and require daily support.

Someone might:

• be forgetful of current and recent events, although generally remember the distant past, even if details may be forgotten or confused
• often be confused regarding time and place
• become lost more easily
• forget the names of family or friends, or confuse family members
• forget saucepans or kettles left heating on the stove
• be less able to perform simple calculations
• show poor judgement and make poor decisions
• see or hear things that are not there or become suspicious of others

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Are Alzheimers & Dementia The Same Thing

Seeing a loved one lose their ability to live independently is always challenging. Whether they are struggling with memory loss or other thinking abilities, the transition can be a difficult one for both you and your family.

How you can help someone close to you with memory loss is always an important question to ask. And you may be wondering if dementia is any different than Alzheimers. Lets explore what these two conditions are, and how they are related.

Memory care communities are specially designed to help people suffering from dementia. The responsibility of helping somebody with memory loss live a daily life can be overwhelming. Barton House is a focused Memory Care Center serving the Nashville area.

If youre looking for resources to help with your loved ones cognitive challenges, please contact our team at Barton House for more information.

Disproportionate Impact On Women

Globally, dementia has a disproportionate impact on women. Sixty-five percent of total deaths due to dementia are women, and disability-adjusted life years due to dementia are roughly 60% higher in women than in men. Additionally, women providethe majority of informal care for people living with dementia, accounting for 70% of carer hours.

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Signs And Symptoms Of Later

As the disease becomes more advanced, symptoms above become more pronounced. According to the Alzheimers Society, people may also experience:

• Delusions For instance, believing, without reason, that someone is stealing from them
• Uncharacteristic Behavior Exhibiting aggression or agitation, calling out, or having disturbed sleep patterns
• Difficulty Walking and Talking Becoming bedridden or wheelchair-bound and requiring round-the-clock care to help with eating, drinking, and toileting

Learn More About Signs and Symptoms of Alzheimers Disease

How Alzheimers Is Different

At its onset, Alzheimers tends to affect more of your learning and memory than other types of dementia, which might be more likely to impact your planning or language. In the brain of a person with Alzheimers disease, there are buildups of beta amyloid protein fragments between nerve cells as well as tangles of the protein tau inside cells. Scientists dont know exactly how these plaques and tangles contribute to Alzheimers disease, but some believe they throw off communication between nerve cells and interfere with normal cell processes, according to the Alzheimers Association. As the disease progresses and more of the brain is affected, a person may experience behavior changes, confusion, delusions, and difficulty speaking or walking. Other types of dementia can progress differently, depending on what parts of the brain are affected.

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What Is Alzheimers Disease

Dementia is the term applied to a group of symptoms that negatively impact memory, but Alzheimers is a specific progressive disease of the brain that slowly causes impairment in memory and cognitive function. The exact cause is unknown, and no cure is available.

Although younger people can and do get Alzheimers, the symptoms generally begin after age 65.

Are Dementia And Alzheimers The Same Thing

You may use the terms Alzheimers and dementia as if they mean the same thing, but theyre really two different terms. Heres the difference.

Dementia is a syndrome linked to problems with remembering, learning new things, focusing and making decisions that affect everyday life. Its an umbrella term that includes thinking problems that interfere with someones normal day-to-day functioning.

Dementia can affect behavior, decision-making, memory, language, visual or spatial perception, and attention, among other areas of daily living. More than one of these areas is usually affected, but one area may be more affected than another.

There are four main types of dementia:

• Alzheimers disease
• Lewy body dementia
• Frontotemporal degeneration

In other words, Alzheimers disease is a form or cause of dementia. Dementia, on the other hand, isnt a specific disease. Dementia is a syndrome. Dementia is also an overall term sometimes referred to as an umbrella term that describes a range of symptoms.

Each form of dementia has different characteristics and causes specific symptoms. Because dementia describes a range of symptoms and many disorders, its possible to have symptoms of more than one disorder at the same time.

Alzheimers disease is one cause of dementia, but its not the only one.

Learn more about Alzheimers disease and other forms of dementia in Mayo Clinic on Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementias, recently published by Mayo Clinic Press.

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What Are The Warning Signs Of Alzheimers Disease

Watch this video Memory Loss is Not a Normal Part of Aging

Alzheimers disease is not a normal part of aging. Memory problems are typically one of the first warning signs of Alzheimers disease and related dementias.

In addition to memory problems, someone with symptoms of Alzheimers disease may experience one or more of the following:

• Memory loss that disrupts daily life, such as getting lost in a familiar place or repeating questions.
• Trouble handling money and paying bills.
• Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure.
• Misplacing things and being unable to retrace steps to find them.
• Changes in mood, personality, or behavior.

Even if you or someone you know has several or even most of these signs, it doesnt mean its Alzheimers disease. Know the 10 warning signs .

Dementia Caused By Huntingtons Disease

Huntingtons disease is an inherited degenerative brain disease that affects the mind and body. It usually appears between the ages of 30 and 50, and is characterised by intellectual decline and irregular involuntary movement of the limbs or facial muscles. Other symptoms include personality change, memory disturbance, slurred speech, impaired judgement and psychiatric problems.There is no treatment available to stop the progression of this disease, but medication can control movement disorders and psychiatric symptoms. Dementia occurs in the majority of people with Huntingtons disease.

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What To Do If You Suspect Alzheimers Disease

Getting checked by your healthcare provider can help determine if the symptoms you are experiencing are related to Alzheimers disease, or a more treatable conditions such as a vitamin deficiency or a side effect from medication. Early and accurate diagnosis also provides opportunities for you and your family to consider financial planning, develop advance directives, enroll in clinical trials, and anticipate care needs.

What Is The Burden Of Alzheimers Disease In The United States

• Alzheimers disease is one of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States.2
• The 6th leading cause of death among US adults.
• The 5th leading cause of death among adults aged 65 years or older.3

In 2020, an estimated 5.8 million Americans aged 65 years or older had Alzheimers disease.1 This number is projected to nearly triple to 14 million people by 2060.1

In 2010, the costs of treating Alzheimers disease were projected to fall between $159 and $215 billion.4 By 2040, these costs are projected to jump to between $379 and more than $500 billion annually.4

Death rates for Alzheimers disease are increasing, unlike heart disease and cancer death rates that are on the decline.5 Dementia, including Alzheimers disease, has been shown to be under-reported in death certificates and therefore the proportion of older people who die from Alzheimers may be considerably higher.6

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Related Conditions And Causes Of Alzheimers Disease

It is very common for people with Alzheimers disease to simultaneously experience brain abnormalities related to other types of dementia, a condition called mixed dementia.

Other types of dementia include:

• Vascular Dementia The most prevalent type of mixed dementia involves Alzheimers combined with vascular dementia, in which brain cells are deprived of essential nutrients and oxygen because of conditions that block or reduce blood flow to the brain.
• Lewy Body Dementia People with Alzheimers may also simultaneously experience Lewy body dementia, a disease marked by abnormal clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein in brain cells.

Some people may simultaneously experience brain changes related to all three conditions Alzheimers, vascular dementia, and Lewy body dementia.

Who Gets Alzheimers Disease

Anyone can develop Alzheimers disease, but it is more common in older age.

Genetics, lifestyle and health factors are associated with an increased risk of developing dementia.

In a few cases, Alzheimers disease is inherited, caused by a genetic mutation. This is called familial Alzheimers disease, with symptoms occurring at a relatively young age. This is usually when someone is in their 50s, but sometimes younger.

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Complications Of Alzheimers Disease

In advanced stages of Alzheimers disease, complications from severe loss of brain function can include dehydration, malnutrition, or infection.

One common complication is difficulty swallowing , which can result in food or drink being aspirated into the lungs, potentially causing pneumonia. Pneumonia is a common cause of death for people with severe Alzheimers, notes the Mayo Clinic.

Treatable Causes Of Dementia

There are many conditions that can cause dementia-like symptoms that can sometimes be stopped or even reversed with treatment. These conditions include:

• Side effects of certain medicines
• Emotional problems, such as stress, anxiety, or depression
• Certain vitamin deficiencies
• Blood clots, tumors, or infections in the brain
• Delirium, a sudden state of confusion and disorientation
• Head injury, such as a concussion from a fall or accident
• Thyroid, kidney, or liver problems
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus, an abnormal buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain

Talk with your doctor if you experience serious memory problems or other symptoms of dementia. A proper diagnosis is important to getting the right treatment.

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The Need For More Public Awareness And Research Funding

While the differences between Alzheimers and dementia are clear to families dealing with the diseases, more public awareness is needed to differentiate between the two.

Further understanding of what exactly causes Alzheimers will help to clear any confusion and hopefully lead to better treatments plans and, ultimately, a cure.

How Alzheimer’s Disease Is Treated

There’s currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but medicines are available that can help relieve some of the symptoms.

Various other types of support are also available to help people with Alzheimer’s live as independently as possible, such as making changes to your home environment so it’s easier to move around and remember daily tasks.

Psychological treatments such as cognitive stimulation therapy may also be offered to help support your memory, problem solving skills and language ability.

Read more about treating Alzheimer’s disease.

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Alzheimers And The Brain

Alzheimers disease is named for a German psychiatrist and neuropathologist named Alois Alzheimer. While conducting a postmortem in 1906, the doctor noticed abnormalities in the brain of a woman with a mysterious illness that caused memory loss, language problems, unpredictable behavior, and ultimately death.

The womans brain, Alzheimer reported, had many abnormal protein clumps as well as tangled bundles of fibers . Those clumps and tangles are today considered the hallmarks of Alzheimers disease.

Alzheimers disease causes nerve cells to stop functioning, lose their connections with other neurons, and die.

Typically, the damage first affects the parts of the brain that form memories. Eventually neurons in other areas of the brain also begin to die, causing the brain to shrink.

How Is Alzheimers Treated Differently Than Dementia

Not only do they display many of the same symptoms, but Alzheimers and dementia also share some of the same treatments. These include medications that can help support cognitive function, such as cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine, both of which have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

With proper treatment, some forms of dementia are reversible such as in cases where theres a tumor or some sort of vitamin deficiency, though these cases arent as common. In theory, you could have dementia due to a vitamin B-12 deficiency or hypothyroidism, and so we always check blood work to make sure neither of those are the cause, he says.

There are also some non-medicated treatments, Dr. Ramanan recommends that people with dementia stay active physically, socially, and cognitively. This means getting a full nights rest and eating a healthy and balanced diet.

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What To Do If Youre Worried About Your Memory

If you suspect youre experiencing any warning signs of dementia , the first thing to do is see a physician. Dr. Scharre recommends asking for a cognitive assessment at your annual physical so your results can be compared year-over-year and declines can be identified and addressed right awayjust like a colonoscopy, blood pressure screening, or cholesterol testing.

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As with any medical condition, typically the earlier you identify it, the more options you have for treatment and typically the better you do, he says. Some forms of dementia have treatable causes while others like Alzheimers are also treatable, just not reversible or curable. Thatnew medication the FDA approved for Alzheimers, for example, only works in the mild cognitive impairment stagethats where its sweet spot is and if you start getting even a little bit more than mild dementia its not useful.

The Effects Of Alzheimers On The Brain

In people with Alzheimers disease, brain cells die and connections between brain cells may break down. One of the hallmark symptoms is abnormal protein deposits in the brain called plaques and tangles.

Plaques are dense clusters of protein that can block communication between neurons. Tangles are proteins that twist together that lead to the death of healthy brain cells.

In advanced Alzheimers, the brain shows significant shrinkage. Changes in the brain may occur a or more before symptoms start.

Its impossible to diagnose Alzheimers with complete accuracy while a person is alive. The diagnosis can only be confirmed when the brain is examined under a microscope during an autopsy. However, specialists can make the correct diagnosis up to 90 percent of the time.

The symptoms of Alzheimers and dementia can overlap, but there can be some differences.

Both conditions can cause:

• behavioral changes
• difficulty speaking, swallowing, or walking in advanced stages of the disease

Some types of dementia will share some of these symptoms, but they include or exclude other symptoms that can help make a differential diagnosis.

Lewy body dementia , for example, has many of the same later symptoms as Alzheimers. However, people with LBD but are more likely to experience initial symptoms such as visual hallucinations, difficulties with balance, and sleep disturbances.

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Treatment And Management Options

At present there is no cure for Alzheimers disease and no treatment can stop the condition progressing. However, medications can help stabilise or slow the decline in memory and thinking abilities. Drugs may also be prescribed for secondary symptoms such as agitation or depression, or to improve sleep. Non-drug therapies can be beneficial, such as staying active and socially connected, and managing stress.

Talking to a counsellor or psychologist is important to help manage changes in behaviour and mood.

Occupational therapy can help improve everyday functioning at home.

At all stages of Alzheimers disease, treatments and support services are available to reduce the impact of symptoms, to ensure the best possible quality of life for every person living with the condition.

Are There Treatments For Alzheimers And Dementia

There are some non-medical treatment options, which can help you live well with dementia. These include emotional support and activities to support your physical and mental health.

There are also medical treatments available for some causes of dementia, and Alzheimers disease. The aim of treatment is to help your brain function. They can help you live independently and manage your symptoms.

Current treatments can slow the progress of Alzheimers disease. But they wont stop it completely or reverse its effects. Its also important to know that treatment doesnt work for everyone.

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