What’s The Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease And Dementia

Getting Help With Dementia And Alzheimer’s

There is no known cure for most types of dementia, but treating the set of symptoms can improve quality of life. Doctors can prescribe antipsychotics and medications for sleep changes, depression, and memory loss. People with dementia can also practice at-home remedies to boost overall brain health. Dieting and exercise can help, as with vitamin supplements and cutting back on smoking or drinking . Environmental factors like air pollution can also play a role, so avoiding these types of spaces can also help to mitigate the progression of dementia.

Some dementia cases can actually be reversed. If the dementia is caused by a curable disease or infection, then treating the source can lead to a return to normal cognitive functioning. The same can be said for dementia caused by problems with metabolism, endocrine, nutrition, medication, and other non-permanent issues.

So Whats The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimers

Dementia isnt a specific disease, but rather a general term used to describe the loss of cognitive functioning like thinking, remembering, and reasoning to such an extent that it interferes with daily life. There are also all kinds of different types of dementia for instance, Lewy body dementia is associated with abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain, which causes changes to thinking, movement, behavior, and mood.

Put simply, Alzheimers is a type of dementia.

Alzheimers is in this group of brain disorders and accounts for roughly 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases, so its probably no surprise that they share some of the same symptoms, such as increased memory loss. They can even lead to personality and behavioral changes, where a person may not seem like their usual self or become more disoriented, confused, or depressed.

There are a few more nuances, though. According to Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of dementia can also include difficulty with visual perception, such as getting lost while walking around in a familiar neighborhood or experiencing hallucinations. It could also manifest in other ways, such as repeating questions regularly or taking longer than usual to finish common tasks like making a grocery list.

Why Do Alzheimer Patients Hate To Shower

Bathing can be a challenge because people living with Alzheimer’s may be uncomfortable receiving assistance with such an intimate activity. They may also have depth perception problems that make it scary to step into water. They may not perceive a need to bathe or may find it a cold, uncomfortable experience.

Also Check: How Common Is Early Onset Dementia

What Can I Expect If I Have Dementia

Getting a diagnosis of dementia is certainly difficult to hear. Several types of dementia arent reversible. Others are a side effect of other serious diseases. Some dementia-like symptoms are due to conditions that can be treated and reversed.

Your healthcare team, which will probably include a neurologist and/or a geriatric-psychiatrist or a geriatrician, will order the needed tests to make the correct diagnosis. The medications available today focus on slowing the decline.

The goal is to maintain your or your loved ones quality of life. Some people with Alzheimers dementia can live up to two decades, but each person has their own unique course. Researchers continue learning about the mechanisms that cause dementia and testing different methods to slow, and someday, hopefully, cure this disease.

Alzheimer’s And Other Progressive Dementias

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it’s not the only one. Dementia can also be caused by other diseases, such as frontotemporal lobe dementia, Parkinson’s disease, and Huntington’s disease. These, along with Alzheimer’s, are called progressive dementias because they progress over time and are not curable. Traumatic brain injuries can also cause this kind of dementia. Since Alzheimer’s is just one possible cause of dementia, all people with Alzheimer’s have dementia, but not all people with dementia have Alzheimer’s.

You May Like: What Is Meant By Dementia

Are Alzheimers Disease And Dementia The Same Thing

Christopher Christodoulou, PhDNikhil Palekar, MD

Dementia is a term that describes a wide range of symptoms associated with a decline in memory or other thinking skills severe enough to reduce a persons ability to perform everyday activities. It has been called one of the greatest global challenges for health and social care in the 21st century.

Whats the difference between Alzheimers disease and dementia?Dr. Palekar: Dementia itself is not a disease. Its a symptom of an underlying brain disorder. There are many possible causes of dementia, some of which can be eliminated with proper diagnosis and treatment, particularly if the cause is found promptly. Alzheimers disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases. Its an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Is it a natural result of aging?Dr. Christodoulou: No. Occasional mild memory loss may be a part of aging, but Alzheimers is not. However, the greatest known risk factor is increasing age, and most people with Alzheimers are 65 and older. About five percent of people with the disease have early onset, which often appears in ones 40s or 50s.

To make an appointment, call 954-2323.

How Alzheimers Disease Progresses

An individuals abilities deteriorate over time, although the progression varies from person to person.

As Alzheimers disease affects different areas of the brain, specific functions or abilities are lost. Short-term memory is often the first to be affected, but as the disease progresses, long-term memory is also lost. The disease also affects many of the brains other functions and consequently language, attention, judgement and many other aspects of behaviour are affected.

Some abilities remain, although these lessen as Alzheimers disease progresses. People living with advancing dementia may keep their senses of touch and hearing, and also respond to emotion even in the advanced stages of the condition.

At the end stages of Alzheimers disease many people become immobile and dependent, requiring extensive care.

Also Check: Is Alzheimer’s Passed From Mother Or Father

Difference Between Alzheimers And Dementia

Alzheimers disease and dementia are two terms that are often used interchangeably as many people believe that one means the other. In fact, the distinction between the two diseases often causes confusion on the behalf of caregivers, families and patients. Learn more about how the two diagnoses, while related, are remarkably different.

Causes Of Progressive Dementia

Although researchers don’t completely understand what causes Alzheimer’s, they have found that people who have the disease also have clumps of protein in their brain, called plaques. There is also a protein, called tau, which becomes twisted and unable to function properly. Both the plaques and the damaged tau cause cell death, which results in dementia. Parkinson’s disease causes a different kind of dementia, brought on by having too much dopamine in the brain. Meanwhile, frontotemporal lobe dementia is caused by the degeneration of the brain cells. This can be caused by accumulation of tau, as with Alzheimer’s, or by the accumulation of another protein, called TDP-43.

When dementia is progressive, it usually only begins when the underlying disease has progressed significantly.

You May Like: What To Do When You Suspect Dementia

Signs And Symptoms Of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive condition, which means the symptoms develop gradually over many years and eventually become more severe. It affects multiple brain functions.

The first sign of Alzheimer’s disease is usually minor memory problems.

For example, this could be forgetting about recent conversations or events, and forgetting the names of places and objects.

As the condition develops, memory problems become more severe and further symptoms can develop, such as:

• confusion, disorientation and getting lost in familiar places
• difficulty planning or making decisions
• problems with speech and language
• problems moving around without assistance or performing self-care tasks
• personality changes, such as becoming aggressive, demanding and suspicious of others
• hallucinations and delusions
• low mood or anxiety

Read more about the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.

How Is Alzheimers Diagnosed

While a physician may not be able to diagnose Alzheimers with 100% certainty, there are several diagnostic tests they can do. One of the most prevalent types of testing used to determine Alzheimers is taking images of the brain with magnetic resonance imaging . This type of testing utilizes powerful radio waves and magnets to make detailed pictures of the brain. Additional tests include:

• Examining MRI images of the brain
• Attention testing

Also Check: How To Approach Someone With Dementia

Is There A Cure

While both dementia and Alzheimers are associated with the cognitive decline that often accompanies ageing, they are not considered a normal part of ageing.

Other forms of dementia and Alzheimers get worse over time, and unfortunately there is no cure. Medications are sometimes used in the treatment of dementia, but they can only slow the conditions progress or treat symptoms they will not cure dementia.

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

Don’t Miss: How Is Dementia Diagnosed By An Mri

Treating Alzheimers Disease Vs Other Types Of Dementia

Neither Alzheimerâs nor most other types of dementia have a cure. Doctors focus treatments on managing symptoms and keeping the disease from getting worse.

Some of the treatments for dementia and Alzheimerâs overlap.

• Cholinesterase inhibitors can help with memory loss in certain types of dementia and Alzheimerâs.
• Glutamate inhibitors help with learning and memory in both dementia and Alzheimerâs.
• Sleep medications may help with sleep changes.
• Antidepressants can help with depression symptoms.
• Antipsychotic medications may help with behavior changes.

Some types of dementia respond to treatment, depending on what is causing it. Your doctor may recommend:

• Stopping the use of drugs and alcohol
• Treating a B12 deficiency
• Getting blood sugar under control

Show Sources

Alzheimerâs Association: âCreutzfeldt-Jakob Disease,â âFrontotemporal Dementia,â âTypes of Dementia,â âWhat is Alzheimerâs?â

Alzheimerâs Disease International: âWorld Alzheimerâs Report 2015.â

Alzheimerâs Society: âSight, perception and hallucinations in dementia.â

BrightFocus Foundation: âWhatâs the Difference Between Dementia & Alzheimerâs Disease?â âTreatments for Alzheimerâs Disease.â

Dementia Society of America: âDementia FAQs.â

Fisher Center for Alzheimerâs Research Foundation: âDementia vs. Alzheimerâs.â

Visiting Nurse Association of Ohio: âAlzheimerâs Versus Dementia.â

Mayo Clinic: âAlzheimerâs Disease,â âDementia.â

Why Does It Matter

• While medications cannot cure causes of dementia, there may be medications that help with some of the symptoms associated with them.
• Caregivers may be able to seek out other caregivers dealing with the same type of dementia to learn more from each other and have good moral support from other who understand.

Recommended Reading: Online Memory Test For Dementia

What Is The Difference Between Alzheimers And Dementia

When an elderly person shows signs of becoming forgetful, their friends and family may jump to the conclusion they have some form of dementia. It can be a worrying time for all involved.

But becoming forgetful does not necessarily mean a person has dementia. It may be nothing, or it could be a sign of infection, other medical conditions or simply that you are doing too much or have significant stress in your life.

Its important to understand the difference between Alzheimers disease and dementia, in order to understand a diagnosis and receive the correct treatment.

Dementia is the umbrella term used to describe a number of symptoms that are associated with memory loss and cognitive decline, while Alzheimers is a disease that actually causes dementia.

The failure of some people to distinguish between the two conditions can cause confusion.

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.

Also Check: What Is The Difference Between Alzheimer’s And Dementia And Senility

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.

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:

You May Like: Does Meredith Grey Have Alzheimer’s

What Is The Difference Between Dementia And Alzheimer’s

Most people are able to go well into old age without experiencing significant decline in memory or other cognitive functions. But trouble with memory, critical thinking skills, and other aspects of daily life are a reality for many people over the age of 60. Some of this is indeed natural. But as various symptoms begin to add up, it is worth seeking medical advice to find out whether or not dementia or Alzheimer’s disease might be at play.

Symptoms of dementia go beyond minor inconveniences as they progress, they interfere more and more with day-to-day activities and undermine quality of life. There are many different dementia symptoms that indicate a range of possible conditions, from those affecting brain cells to those involving an excess of spinal fluid in the brain.

Many of these conditions are progressive, but some can be managed. Knowing the early warning signs can help you be prepared if medical care becomes necessary. Here is what you need to know about dementia vs. Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of cognitive decline.

Dementia Care At New Care Homes

Specialist dementia care is available at all New Care homes, for residents living with different types of dementia, including Alzheimers disease.

Our care homes are designed with comfort and familiarity in mind for those living with memory loss, with subtle zoning, signposting, and calming colour palettes throughout.

Were also extremely proud of our tovertafel or magic tables, which can be found in each of our dementia care communities, encouraging residents to engage in play something that research has indicated can have positive effects for people diagnosed with dementia.

Find out more about dementia care at New Care homes, or contact us here if you have any questions about our care services or care home facilities.

Recommended Reading: What Race Is Most Likely To Get Alzheimer Disease

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.