The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimer’s In 60 Seconds

How Is Dementia Diagnosed

Confirming a diagnosis of dementia can be difficult. Many diseases and conditions can cause or lead to dementia. In addition, many of its symptoms are common to many other illnesses.

Your healthcare provider will:

• Ask about the course of your symptoms.
• Ask about your medical history.
• Review your current medications.
• Ask about your family history of disease including dementia.

They may also order tests, including laboratory tests, imaging tests and neurocognitive tests .

Neurologists and geriatricians may assist in making the diagnosis of dementia.

Laboratory tests

Laboratory tests rule out other diseases and conditions as the cause of dementia, such as infection, inflammation, underactive thyroid and vitamin deficiency .

Sometimes, healthcare providers order cerebrospinal fluid tests to evaluate autoimmune conditions and neurodegenerative diseases, if warranted.

Imaging tests

Your healthcare provider may order the following imaging tests of your brain:

Neurocognitive testing

During neurocognitive testing, your healthcare provider uses written and computerized tests to evaluate your mental abilities, including:

• Problem solving.

Psychiatric evaluation

A mental health professional may check for signs of depression, mood changes or other mental health issues that might cause memory loss.

Does Anything Increase The Risk For Dementia And Alzheimers Disease

As mentioned in the diagnosis section, doctors will test to see if there are any underlying health issues or other factors that could increase your risk of developing dementia or Alzheimers disease. Here are some things that increase the risk of dementia:

• Family history – Individuals with a family history of dementia are more likely to develop it themselves

• Age – Age is the strongest risk factor for developing dementia. Most individuals diagnosed with dementia are over 65

• Poor heart health – High cholesterol, high blood pressure, and smoking all can increase the risk of developing dementia if they are not treated

• Race/ethnicity – Older African American adults are twice as likely to develop dementia as white individuals. Older Hispanic adults are 1.5 times as likely to develop dementia as white individuals

• Traumatic brain injury – Suffering severe brain injuries can increase the risk of developing dementia, especially if they occur repeatedly

Currently, there is little data to determine the risk of developing dementia after contracting COVID-19. However, studies have found that individuals with dementia are more likely to contract COVID-19, require hospitalization, and have severe or fatal cases than individuals without dementia.

Alternative And Complementary Therapies

Despite the growing number of herbal remedies, dietary supplements, and medical foods aimed at people with Alzheimers, there is no scientific proof that any of these products work.

For instance, some people with Alzheimers consume coconut oil based on the theory that the caprylic acid in the oil can provide energy to brain cells that are no longer able to metabolize glucose. But there has been no research confirming that this helps cognition.

Learn More About Treatment for Alzheimers: Medication, Alternative and Complementary Therapies, and More

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What Are The Two Types Of Lewy Body Dementia

Lewy bodies can also be found in the brains of patients with Parkinsons. Moreover, Lewy body dementia can refer to dementia with Lewy bodies or dementia caused by Parkinsons. However, Parkinsons initially affects motors skills. Lewy body dementia usually affects memory or causes hallucinations first.

Alzheimers Is The Most

• Retirees are more fearful of Alzheimers than infectious diseases such as COVID-19, as well as cancer, strokes or heart attacks.
• Findings showed one-in-three of retirees listed Alzheimers as the chronic disease they feared most, 11 points higher than cancer and 13 points more than contagious diseases such as COVID-19.

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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.

Dementia Vs Alzheimer’s: Treatment

There are various treatments for Alzheimer’s and dementia that may overlap, but treatment can be different depending upon the cause of the condition and the part of brain it affects.

According to Mayo Clinic, treatment of dementia depends on the cause of the condition:

• Dementia caused due to vascular damage will be treated with medicines to prevent strokes.

• Dementia caused due to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s may be treated with Cholinesterase inhibitors.

• A supportive care at home, by a caregiver or at a nursing home is important.

Mayo Clinic further says the options for treatment of Alzheimer’s include:

• Memantine that affects the memory and learning and can be taken only with cholinesterase inhibitors

• Cholinesterase inhibitors that improves your memory and judgement

• Occupational therapies to make a patient feel safer and help him with the coping strategies

• Medications for depression or sleep changes may also be prescribed

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The Differences Between Alzheimer’s And Dementia

28 July, 2022

Theres no doubt that cognitive abilities decline with age. In fact, in recent years, theres been an increase in knowledge about this process and its associated diseases. However, certain diagnostic problems remain. For example, its difficult to differentiate between Alzheimers and dementia, as well as other disorders.

Many families find it difficult to know how to differentiate the normal signs of aging from those of the early stages of neurodegenerative disease. This often means that dementias might progress to a point that seriously harms the life of the patient.

In this article, youll learn how to tell the difference between Alzheimers disease and dementia.

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.

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Frontotemporal Dementia With Parkinsonism

One form of familial FTD, also known as frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism-17 , is caused by genetic changes in the gene for tau protein, located on chromosome 17. No other risk factors for this condition are known.

FTDP-17 is rare and accounts for only three per cent of all cases of dementia. Symptoms progressively get worse over time and usually appear between the ages of 40 and 60. The condition affects both thinking and behavioural skills and movements such as rigidity, lack of facial expression and problems with balance .

It can be distressing to be told that you have a genetic disorder or are at risk of having one. Genetic counselling provides the person and their family with information about a genetic disorder and its likely impact on their lives. This can assist a person with FTDP-17 to make informed medical and personal decisions about how to manage their condition and the challenges it presents to their health and wellbeing. Prenatal genetic counselling is also available for parents to help them decide about a pregnancy that may be at risk of FTDP-17.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease , the most common form of dementia among older adults, is an irreversible degeneration of the brain that causes disruptions in memory, cognition, personality, and other functions that eventually lead to death from complete brain failure. Genetic and environmental factors including diet, activity, smoking, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, and other medical diseases contribute to the risk of developing this form of the disease. The hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease are the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques between nerve cells in the brain and neurofibrillary tangles, which are twisted fibers found inside the brain’s cells). These tangles consist primarily of a protein called tau.

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Treatment And Care Plans For Dementia And Alzheimers

Being able to accurately diagnose Alzheimers from other forms of dementia affects treatment plans, insurance coverage, and even care options. In most cases, dementia is irreversible and incurable. However, there are some medications that can help manage the symptoms of dementia and the drugs to treat dementia depend on the type of dementia. For example, there are drugs to make the symptoms of Parkinsons disease more manageable but there is no way to stop or slow the dementia associated with Parkinsons. Having an accurate diagnosis can help medical professionals create a comprehensive care plan.

Alzheimers is a terminal illness and individuals diagnosed with the disease live an average of 4 to 8 years after diagnosis. In the later stages of the disease, home care or moving to a memory care community may become necessary.

While dementia and Alzheimers are related conditions, they have different aspects that are important to recognize, becoming more apparent as the disease progresses. Contact one of our memory care communities today to learn more about Leisure Cares holistic approach to memory care. Our caregiving experts are ready to come alongside your family and walk this road with you.

What Are The Main Types Of Dementia

Dementia isn’t a disease in itself, it’s a term used to describe symptoms caused by other diseases that affect the brain. Knowing the type of dementia means treatment can be more specific to an individual’s needs.

The most common types of dementia are:

Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a form of dementia that targets the part of the brain that controls memory, language and thought. Alzheimer’s and dementia often get confused with one another, which can cause upset and confusion.

Vascular dementia

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, after Alzheimer’s disease. This type of dementia is caused when the brain becomes damaged due to lack of blood supply, for instance following a stroke.

Other types of dementia

There are many other, rarer, types of dementia such as dementia with Lewy bodies or frontotemporal dementia. Conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease may lead to someone developing dementia.

The many different types and related conditions can be confusing and overwhelming if you have received a dementia diagnosis or know someone with it. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Dementia in the UK

• 850,000 people have dementia in the UK.
• 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
• Only 43% of people with dementia have actually been diagnosed.

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The Difference Between Alzheimers Disease And Dementia

The term dementia is a general term that describes agroup of symptoms, such as memory loss, increased confusion, and challenges with reasoning. There are a variety of possible causes of dementia. Think of the word dementia as an umbrella term, similar to the word cancer .

Alzheimers disease is one cause of dementia. It is the most common cause, making up between 60 – 80% of dementia cases. However, there are many other causes of dementia, some of which are reversible. Some other causes of dementia could be vitamin deficiencies, thyroid issues, alcohol use, tumors, mini-strokes , to name a few. For this reason, health professionals encourage people who experience cognitive changes to speak to their doctors early.

If you notice cognitive changes in yourself or someone you love, its imperative to find the cause of these changes since they may be reversible, and each type of dementia will evolve in a different way. If youre not sure what is causing the changes, here’s a helpful article about what next steps to take.

Or, if you were recently diagnosed with Alzheimers or another form of dementia, read about how to respond to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis here.

For more details on the differences between Alzheimers Disease and dementia, go to www. alz.org.

Signs Of Mild Alzheimers Disease

In mild Alzheimers disease, a person may seem to be healthy but has more and more trouble making sense of the world around him or her. The realization that something is wrong often comes gradually to the person and his or her family. Problems can include:

• Poor judgment leading to bad decisions
• Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
• Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
• Repeating questions

• Increased sleeping
• Loss of bowel and bladder control

A common cause of death for people with Alzheimers disease is aspiration pneumonia. This type of pneumonia develops when a person cannot swallow properly and takes food or liquids into the lungs instead of air.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimers, though there are medicines that can treat the symptoms of the disease.

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For Loved Ones Of People With Dementia

If your loved one has been diagnosed with a form of dementia, there is support out there for you. Check out sources like the ones listed above. You may also find it helpful to hear insights from others going through the same situation. Mighty contributor Robin Gail when she began caring for her mother with Alzheimers:

• Ask your relatives or others for assistance when you need it.

• When someone does offer to help you, take it! Dont try to be the hero and do it all yourself.
• When your loved one reaches the point of needing professional help, dont be too proud to ask.
• If you find yourself at your wits end, walk away for a few minutes and calm yourself down.
• Many times, you will need to step into their reality because it will likely be impossible for them to be in your reality.
• Cherish your moments with your loved one. Tell them frequently you love them.
• As often as possible, take time to do something special for yourself.
• Try, as much as possible, to keep a sense of humor.
• Please take your ill loved ones feelings into consideration. They still have feelings, though they may not be able to express them.
• Recognize what they are still able to do, and help them do it.
• Keep in mind the fear that your loved one must feel. They are losing control, they likely feel isolated, they may be close to the end of their earthly life. Let them know they are valued, that their presence has brought meaning to life.

Getty photo by sudok1

Managing The Effects Of Alzheimers Disease

Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimers disease, there are some medications that may help with some of the symptoms and make life a little easier. These medications may also slow the progression of Alzheimers disease for a short while in some people, but it does not prevent or cure the condition.

• People with Alzheimers may be prescribed a type of medication called cholinesterase inhibitors. There are three options: Donepezil, Rivastigmine or Galantamine
• These medications may improve concentration, which helps with memory, thinking and language. These effects may last for approximately six to 12 months, although there is now some evidence showing the benefits may last a lot longer. They support the communication between the nerve cells in the brain by preventing the breakdown of a chemical called acetylcholine
• Another medication called memantine may also be prescribed in the moderate to severe stage of Alzheimers disease alongside one of the above medications. This medication blocks the effects of excess glutamate in the brain. Memantine may help with memory, reasoning, language and attention.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Frontotemporal Dementia

While FTD doesnt always affect memory, it often leads to personality changes. As result, these changes can be mistaken for a mental health condition. Usually, people between 4045 are usually affected. Common symptoms include mood changes, uncharacteristic behavior and no longer caring what people think. In addition, they may experience memory loss.

How Are Dementia And Alzheimers Disease Diagnosed

If you notice your parent or loved one displaying some of the symptoms associated with dementia and Alzheimers, it may be time to visit a doctor to get a diagnosis. You can begin by visiting a primary care doctor to do some initial tests and examinations, but neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, geriatricians, and neuropsychologists can also diagnose dementia.

Since Alzheimers disease is a form of dementia, the testing methods are the same and involve:

• A physical exam to check the vitals of the body and determine if there is an underlying cause

• Laboratory tests to check blood and other fluid levels to rule out potential causes of symptoms

• A review of the individuals personal and family medical history to check when the symptoms began, any other changes that occurred, if there was any medication being taken, and if dementia runs in the family

• Cognitive and neurological tests to evaluate thinking and physical functioning

• Brain scans that can identify changes in the brains structure and function. They can also determine if a tumor, stroke, or another issue might be causing dementia. These brain scans include:

• Magnetic resonance imaging , which produces detailed images of the body, including the brain

• Computed tomography , which produces images of the brain and other organs

• Positron emission tomography , which provides pictures of brain activity

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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.