The Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia Explained

Alzheimer's and Dementia

Do you or a loved one live with dementia or Alzheimer's disease? Are you confused as to what’s happening and how these illnesses progress? Why is “illnesses” plural? Well, even though these words are frequently used synonymously, they truly have distinct meanings. Alzheimer's disease is not a single illness. It serves as a catch-all phrase for a variety of illnesses. A person's independence in performing daily tasks is greatly impacted by their symptoms. The following are typical signs of dementia:

• Speech changes

• Behavior changes

• deterioration of memory

• Shift in cognitive abilities

• Flawed thinking and judgment

• Reduced concentration and attention

What is Dementia?

Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of brain disease, but dementia is a broad phrase. It is characterized by dementia symptoms that progressively get worse over time. Changes in memory, thinking, and reasoning abilities are frequently among the earliest indications of Alzheimer's disease since they first affect the area of the brain connected to learning. Confusion, behavioral abnormalities, and other difficulties are among the symptoms that worsen as the disease advances.

Alzheimer's disease is a specific illness, whereas dementia is a general term for a deterioration in mental capacity severe enough to interfere with daily life. Dementia most frequently results from Alzheimer's disease.

It is crucial to understand these two terminologies and how they differ so that people with Alzheimer's or another form of dementia, their families, and caregivers can be better equipped.

Dementia Overview

A collection of symptoms that are linked to a loss of memory, reasoning, or other cognitive abilities is referred to as dementia. Numerous illnesses may cause dementia, which comes in numerous forms. Mixed dementia is a situation where multiple types of dementia manifest their brain abnormalities at the same time. The majority of dementia cases—between 60 and 80 percent—are caused by Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is not a typical aging process. It results from harm to brain cells that interferes with their ability to communicate, which in turn impairs thought, behavior, and feelings.

The majority of people can live a long time without significantly losing their memory or other cognitive abilities becoming issues. However, for many people over the age of 60, memory, critical thinking, and other elements of daily living are a reality. Yes, some of this is natural. But as the different symptoms pile up, it may be wise to consult a doctor to determine whether dementia or Alzheimer's disease may be present.

Although many of these disorders are progressive, some can be controlled. Knowing the early warning signs will help you be ready if medical attention is required. What you should know about dementia versus Alzheimer's disease and other types of cognitive loss is provided below.

What Causes Dementia?

The overall decline in cognitive function known as "dementia" occurs when nerve cells in the brain are lost or injured, making it more difficult for the proper neural connections to maintain normal cognitive functioning. There are numerous causes of injured or disturbed nerve cells, which are frequently categorized based on what they have in common. Dementia can have a variety of causes, such as:

• Stroke

• Infections

• Depression

• Vascular disease

• Chronic drug use

• Degenerative diseases (like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, or Huntington's disease)

Age, family history, and Down's syndrome are among other risk factors that can result in dementia. Another common cause of dementia is a history of head trauma. Dementia comes in a wide variety of forms, and each type differs from the others mostly based on the area of the brain it affects.

Symptoms of Dementia

The most prevalent kind of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, but it's not the only one. Dementia can have many distinct forms and origins, including:

• Mixed dementia

• Vascular dementia

• Lewy body dementia

• Huntington's disease

• Frontotemporal dementia

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

• Parkinson's disease dementia

• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy

• Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy

Alzheimer’s Overview

Degenerative brain conditions like Alzheimer's are brought on by intricate brain changes after cell injury. Eventually, it causes dementia symptoms that progressively get worse. Alzheimer's disease often affects the learning-related areas of the brain first, making it difficult to remember new things is one of the most prevalent early symptoms.

Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, which include confusion, disorientation, and behavioral changes, worsen as the disease progresses. Walking, speaking, and swallowing eventually become challenging.

Although growing older is the biggest recognized risk factor for Alzheimer's, the condition is not a typical aspect of aging. The majority of Alzheimer's patients are over 65, but there are still over 200,000 Americans under 65 who have the illness, with a younger onset.

One type of dementia is Alzheimer's disease. In fact, it accounts for up to 70% of all cases of dementia, making it the most prevalent cause. Alzheimer's is a condition that develops when protein buildups create unfavorable structures in the brain, cutting off connections between cells and resulting in their demise. In severe situations, brain shrinkage is additionally typical.

Alzheimer's symptoms include:

• Confusion

• Mood changes

• Difficulty concentrating

• Apathy and depression

• Impaired judgment and decision-making abilities

• Difficulty with speaking, swallowing, or walking

• Trouble remembering details about people, places, or events

• Changes to one's personality like disinterest, suspicion, or aggression

While it is hard to determine for sure whether a person is suffering from Alzheimer's disease while they are still alive, an autopsy can reliably identify the illness with up to 90% accuracy.

Dementia vs. Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a specific type of dementia, whereas dementia is a general term for a collection of symptoms linked to a decrease in memory and thinking.

According to Mayo Clinic, symptoms of dementia can include both cognitive and psychological changes, such as:

• Memory loss

• Hallucinations

• Personality changes

• Inappropriate behavior

• Difficulty speaking clearly

• Disorientation and confusion

• Difficulty with visual or spatial skills

• Difficulty with logic or problem-solving

• Decline in motor function coordination

• Depression, agitation, anxiety, and paranoia

• Having trouble organizing oneself, planning, and managing difficult responsibilities

Of course, merely exhibiting one of these signs does not indicate that a person is necessarily battling dementia. The presence of many dementia symptoms, however, is a strong indication that a patient should discuss their concerns with a doctor.

Conclusion

Families that seek medical guidance and support to manage the effects of dementia may find nursing homes or home health care to be of great assistance. To assist seniors in maintaining their quality of life,