Signs Of Dementia Vs Alzheimer’s

Loss Of Cognition And Memory

Cognition is the mental process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. With both LBD and Alzheimer’s, cognition is affected but in significantly different ways.

With LBD, the loss of cognition and memory can fluctuate. On one day, a person will LBD will not recognize a grandchild but, on the next, be able to recall the names of each of their grandchildren.

With Alzheimer’s, there may be variations, but the decline is generally steady, and there is not usually a big change from one day to the next. Over time, the gaps in lucidity become smaller and smaller.

How Common Is Dementia

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that 5 million U.S. adults age 65 or older have Alzheimers and related dementia. By 2060, the CDC projects that about 14 million people will have dementia, which is about 3.3% of the population.

Alzheimers disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. and the fifth leading cause of death in Americans age 65 and older.

Early Signs Of Alzheimers

You can give your patients and their family members a guide by which to understand the signs and symptoms they are witnessing. This will help them to gather more concrete information.

Don’t Miss: How To Tell Dementia From Alzheimer’s

Warning Signs And Symptoms

The symptoms of dementia range in severity, and they also vary depending on the area of the brain that the condition affects. The most

• walking around for no apparent reason
• inappropriate behaviors, such as social and sexual disinhibition

Symptoms can take time to appear, and significant damage may be present before a person visits a doctor. This may make treatment more challenging.

Is There Anything I Can Do

If your memory is OK but you’re still worried, there may be something you can do about it. People who spend time reading, solving puzzles, or otherwise staying engaged are less likely to get Alzheimer’s. It’s possible that these activities can help you to keep your mind sharp. It’s also a good idea to lower your stress, eat right, and exercise.

Show Sources

Read Also: How Do You Get Dementia

Struggle With Everyday Tasks

Having trouble using that TV remote? Forgot how to set the microwave? If you need a little help now and then with those kinds of things, it’s likely nothing to worry about. But if you have problems doing regular activities you’re used to doing, like driving to places you always go, playing favorite games, or finding your way at the grocery store, it may be a sign of a more serious memory issue.

Lewy Body Dementia Vs Alzheimer’s Disease

Lewy body dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are similar but not the same. This starts with how the features of dementia differ for each disorder:

• Lewy body dementia is a form of dementia with characteristics of Parkinson’s disease that affects executive function , speed of thinking, memory, movement, and moods. LBD can cause visual hallucinations, problems with attention and alertness, and movement problems such as tremors and stiffness.
• Alzheimer’s disease is the more common form of dementia that primarily affects language, behavior, and memory. It mainly manifests with profound memory loss, such as trouble recalling events, recognizing people, naming objects, or learning new information.

LBD and Alzheimer’s disease can appear similar in the early stages, and it is not uncommon for someone with LBD to be mistakenly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s at first.

The underlying causes of Alzheimer’s and LBD can and often do overlap. As a result, a person with LBD might experience Alzheimer-type changes in their brain, resulting in shared characteristics and symptoms referred to as mixed dementia.

The main differences between LBD and Alzheimer’s can be summarized in the following chart:

Also Check: How Is Dementia Diagnosed By An Mri

What Are The Most Common Types Of Dementia

• Alzheimers disease. This is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. It is caused by specific changes in the brain. The trademark symptom is trouble remembering recent events, such as a conversation that occurred minutes or hours ago, while difficulty remembering more distant memories occurs later in the disease. Other concerns like difficulty with walking or talking or personality changes also come later. Family history is the most important risk factor. Having a first-degree relative with Alzheimers disease increases the risk of developing it by 10 to 30 percent.

• Vascular dementia. About 10 percent of dementia cases are linked to strokes or other issues with blood flow to the brain. Diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also risk factors. Symptoms vary depending on the area and size of the brain impacted. The disease progresses in a step-wise fashion, meaning symptoms will suddenly get worse as the individual gets more strokes or mini-strokes.

• Lewy body dementia. In addition to more typical symptoms like memory loss, people with this form of dementia may have movement or balance problems like stiffness or trembling. Many people also experience changes in alertness including daytime sleepiness, confusion or staring spells. They may also have trouble sleeping at night or may experience visual hallucinations .

Sleep Disturbances And Visual Hallucinations

People with LBD sometimes experience a condition known as REM sleep behavior disorder in which they will physically act out situations in their dreams. Some research suggests that REM sleep behavior disorder is an earlier predictor of LBD.

Another common LBD symptom is visual hallucinations, wherein people will see things that arent there. These hallucinations typically occur earlier in the course of LBD.

Hallucinations do occur with Alzheimers but are not as common. They also tend to occur in the later stages of the disease.

Similarly, REM sleep behavior disorder is not characteristic of Alzheimer’s, although other types of sleep disturbances can occur.

You May Like: Do Brain Games Help Prevent Alzheimer’s

What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimers Diseaseblog

Dementia is caused by different diseases that affect the brain. Alzheimers disease is the most common of these diseases. Some other common types of dementia include vascular dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies.

This means that dementia is not a disease in its own right. Dementia is the name for a group of symptoms that commonly include problems with memory, thinking, problem solving, language and perception.

While there is a relationship between dementia and Alzheimers disease, there are key differences between the two.

Steve Thompson Recalls Signs Of His Early

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Dementia doesnt describe one specific disease but various conditions that have one thing in common – an impaired ability to think and remember certain events. Without a cure, early diagnosis remains the best solution for delaying the progression of the brain condition. Understanding the full scope of various symptoms has proven crucial in this.

Read Also: Does Trump Have Alzheimer’s 2017

Forgetting To Perform Daily Tasks Like Brushing Teeth Or Eating

In the early stages of dementia, you may notice your loved one is having trouble with things like hygiene or cooking. They may forget to brush their teeth or take a shower.

You might also notice theyre not eating as much as they used to or that theyre losing weight. This is because dementia can make it hard to remember how to maintain their habits.

Dementia Is A Group Of Symptoms Caused By Conditions Such As Alzheimers Disease Though The Terms Are Used Interchangeably The Two Conditions Are Not The Same

Although the terms dementia and Alzheimers disease are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference between Alzheimers disease and dementia. Dementia is a general term that describes a group of symptoms involving intellectual impairment that is caused by neuron damage.

Alzheimers disease is one factor that can cause a very specific form of dementia. Dementia, on the other hand, can be caused by a variety of underlying factors, such as diseases, stroke, infection, traumatic injury, substance abuse, etc. The main difference is that dementia is a clinical syndrome that can be caused by many factors, and Alzheimers disease is simply one of these factors.

Also Check: Dementia Care San Fernando Valley

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.

Diagnosis Of Alzheimer’s Disease

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can typically be reached when diagnosing what’s causing a person’s dementia symptoms. Doctors can come to a conclusive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease by conducting a blood test to check your beta-amyloid levels.

Beta-amyloid is a protein found to abnormally build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s is a progressive disease which means its symptoms worsen over time.

Early diagnosis is key to treating the disease efficiently and extending a person’s life expectancy with this condition.

Recommended Reading: Alzheimer’s Online Support Group

What’s The Difference Between Alzheimer’s And Amnesia

Alzheimer’s is a specific degenerative brain disease that causes dementia.Amnesia is another word for memory loss. There are many things besides dementia that can cause memory loss, such as a recent stroke, insomnia, delirium, or just getting older. Amnesia can be one of the early signs of dementia – which could be caused by Alzheimer’s. If your relative is having difficulty with their memory, it is worth contacting their GP so that they can make an assessment on the cause of their amnesia.

What Are The Signs Of Alzheimer’s Disease

The symptoms of Alzheimers can vary from one person to another. Memory problems are typically one of the first signs of the disease. Decline in non-memory aspects of cognition, such as finding the right word, trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships, and impaired reasoning or judgment, may also signal the early stages of Alzheimers. As the disease progresses, symptoms become more severe and include increased confusion and behavior changes.

For most people with Alzheimers those who have the late-onset variety symptoms first appear in their mid-60s or later. When the disease develops before age 65, its considered early-onset Alzheimers, which can begin as early as a persons 30s, although this is rare.

Alzheimers typically progresses clinically in several stages: preclinical, mild , moderate, and severe .

Don’t Miss: How Can You Promote Independence In A Person With Dementia

Causes And Risk Factors

The cause depends on the type, but the exact causes of many forms of dementia are currently unclear.

Dementia is not an inevitable part of aging, but age is one of the main risk factors. In fact, up to 50% of people aged 85 years and older may have a type of dementia.

Also, in the United States, around 11.3% of people aged over 65 years currently have Alzheimers disease, according to the Alzheimers Association. This number rises to 34.6% in those aged 85 years and older. Symptoms tend to worsen with age.

It is possible to develop dementia at a younger age, but the condition is more common among older adults.

Common Forms Of Dementia

There are many different forms of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form and may contribute to 60-70% of cases. Other major forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies , and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia . Dementia may also develop after a stroke or in the context of certain infections such as HIV, harmful use of alcohol, repetitivephysical injuries to the brain or nutritional deficiencies. The boundaries between different forms of dementia are indistinct and mixed forms often co-exist.

Also Check: How Is Dementia And Alzheimer’s Difference

Who Does Alzheimers Disease Affect

Alzheimers disease mainly affects people over age 65. The higher your age over 65, the more likely youll develop Alzheimers.

Some people develop Alzheimers disease before age 65 typically in their 40s or 50s. This is called early-onset Alzheimers disease. Its rare. Less than 10% of AD cases are early-onset.

Can Dementia Be Prevented

Although dementia cant be prevented, living a health-focused life might reduce risk factors for certain types of dementia.

Keeping blood vessels clear of cholesterol buildup, maintaining normal blood pressure, maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, staying at a healthy weight basically, staying as healthy as you can can keep your brain fueled with the oxygen and nutrients it needs to function at its highest possible level. Specific healthful steps you can take include:

• Follow a Mediterranean diet, which is one filled with whole grains, vegetables, fruits, fish and shellfish, nuts, beans, olive oil and only limited amounts of red meats.
• Exercise. Get at least 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
• Keep your brain engaged. Solve puzzles, play word games and try other mentally stimulating activities. These activities may delay the start of dementia.
• Stay socially active. Interact with people, discuss current events, and keep your mind, heart and soul engaged.

Don’t Miss: Dementia End Of Life Symptoms

How Is Dementia Treated

Treatment of dementia depends on the underlying cause. Neurodegenerative dementias, like Alzheimers disease, have no cure, though there are medications that can help protect the brain or manage symptoms such as anxiety or behavior changes. Research to develop more treatment options is ongoing.

Leading a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, healthy eating, and maintaining social contacts, decreases chances of developing chronic diseases and may reduce number of people with dementia.

Characteristics Of Alzheimers Disease

The symptoms of Alzheimers disease are similar to those of dementia and include:

• Progressive memory loss
• Changes in mood and personality

In most cases, Alzheimers disease is not caused by a single factor but by a combination of factors involving genetics, environmental factors, lifestyle choices and habits. Age also increases the risk of Alzheimers disease. Effects of Alzheimers disease include a progressive worsening of cognitive deficits and functional abilities over time. The cognitive decline at the onset involves general forgetfulness, an inability to follow complex instructions and difficulty learning new information.

As the disease progresses, deficits in memory loss, orientation, decision-making and communication become worse. Similarly, there is a progressive loss in the ability to conduct daily activities like managing finances and cooking. Over time, there is a complete loss of functional autonomy.

These changes are evaluated and categorized using assessment scales by clinicians for the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimers disease. According to the commonly used Global Deterioration Scale , there are seven stages of Alzheimers disease. Each stage marks a further decline in cognitive abilities and the ability to perform daily functions.

You May Like: Refrigerator Locks For Adults – With Dementia

Vascular Dementia / Multi

1 in 10 dementia patients are diagnosed with vascular dementia. It is characterized by not enough blood reaching the brain. This causes damage to blood vessels or blockages leading to mini-strokes or brain bleeding. Vascular Dementia is also known as multi-infarct or post-stroke dementia.

Unlike Alzheimers, memory loss is not always the first symptom with Vascular Dementia. Because different parts of the brain are responsible for different functions, the area of the brain damaged will determine the functions affected.

Unlike other types of dementia, actions can be taken to avoid vascular dementia. Lifestyle plays a significant role in the onset of vascular dementia. This means that implementing an exercise routine, healthy eating, and not smoking could help to prevent vascular dementia. Maintaining healthy levels of blood pressure is a key factor in avoiding vascular dementia.

However, the onset of vascular dementia is similar to other cases of dementia. Damage done to brain cells is irreversible. There is currently no drug approved to treat vascular dementia.

What Are The Symptoms Of Early

For most people with early-onset Alzheimer disease, the symptoms closely mirror those of other forms of Alzheimer disease.

Early symptoms:

• Withdrawal from work and social situations

• Changes in mood and personality

Later symptoms:

• Severe mood swings and behavior changes

• Deepening confusion about time, place, and life events

• Suspicions about friends, family, or caregivers

• Trouble speaking, swallowing, or walking

• Severe memory loss

Recommended Reading: Can Alzheimer’s Patients Live At Home

Alzheimers Vs Dementia Treatment

The unique care model we offer at Banners memory care centers of excellence is the only one of its kind. The personalized treatment and compassionate care our Alzheimers specialists provide are designed to manage you or your loved ones symptoms, providing the best chance to live life well.

Medications for Alzheimers cannot cure Alzheimers disease, but they can help manage the following symptoms:

• Behavioral changes
• Sleep disturbances
• Depression and/or anxiety

While most cases of dementia cannot be cured, treatment plans targeting the cause of dementia may prevent symptoms from worsening. For example, treatment for vascular dementia will focus on preventing stroke and further damage to the brains blood vessels.

Dementia treatments are most effective when treating dementia symptoms caused by: