Everyone has heard of these diseases, but do you know the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a specific brain disease. It’s a subtype of dementia. Dementia is a broad term for various cognitive conditions. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia.
People who are living with Alzheimer’s exhibit symptoms of dementia. These symptoms gradually worsen over time. Alzheimer’s disease first affects the part of the brain associated with learning, says Mayo Clinic.
Early symptoms include changes in memory and thinking, and deterioration of critical reasoning skills.
Learning about the difference between the terms Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia is essential. If you have a family member experiencing symptoms, understanding the difference can empower you to seek a diagnosis and treatment for your family member who is suffering.
What is Dementia?
According to Healthline, more than 55 million people around the world live with dementia. The term refers to the group of symptoms associated with the subtypes of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s.
Dementia symptoms impact your memory and reasoning, which are called cognitive mental tasks. It comes in a variety of conditions – one being Alzheimer’s. It is possible to have more than one type of dementia – you may know it as ‘mixed dementia.’ This is where you have two or more types of dementia. An autopsy confirms mixed dementia, but there are indicators in life that lead to the diagnosis:
- Memory decline or loss,
- Changes in thinking skills,
- Poor judgment and reasoning skills,
- Poor concentration, finding familiar daily tasks difficult to do,
- The inability to follow a conversation or find the right words,
- Confusion about time and place,
- Mood changes,
- Decreased focus and attention,
- Changes in language, and
- Changes in behaviour.
The progression of dementia can affect your independent lifestyle. It mainly occurs in older adults.
Dementia is the fifth leading cause of death globally, and these numbers may triple over the next 30 years.
Types of Dementia
- Alzheimer’s Disease,
- Vascular dementia,
- Lewy Body Disease,
- Frontotemporal dementia,
- Alcohol-related dementia,
- HIV-associated dementia, and
- Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) dementia.
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease caused by complex brain changes that result in cell damage. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s progress to dementia symptoms and worsen as time goes by.
A common risk factor of Alzheimer’s is that it is not a normal part of ageing. Most people with Alzheimer’s are 65 and older, but there are people under 65 who live with younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s must be treated by a registered doctor. Contact Medical Society for information on where to get the support you and your family need.
Signs and Symptoms
Alzheimer’s and dementia can cause a decline in the ability to think, memory impairment, and communication impairment. The likelihood of developing the conditions increases as you age.
If you are diagnosed with dementia, it does not mean you have Alzheimer’s. However, your symptoms will be similar, and they can change.
There are certain lifestyle choices you can make that may reduce your risk of developing Dementia or Alzheimer’s.
Below are great ways to lower your chances of developing dementia:
- Eating a balanced diet
- Maintaining a healthy midline weight
- Regular moderate exercise
- Limited alcohol consumption
- No smoking
- Monitor your blood pressure and sugar levels
The Differences
The main difference is that Dementia is the name of a group of similar diseases, whereas Alzheimer’s is the name of a specific disease.
Alzheimer’s sufferers will have difficulty remembering recent events or conversations. They’ll also have symptoms such as:
- Apathy,
- Depression,
- Impaired judgement,
- Disorientation,
- Confusion,
- Behavioural changes, and
- Difficulty speaking, swallowing or walking (this usually happens at progressive changes of the disease).
There are different types of dementia that share similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s.
Lewy body dementia (LBD) has similar later symptoms to Alzheimer’s, but if you have LBD, you will likely experience visual hallucinations, balance difficulty and sleep disruptions.
If you have dementia because of Huntington’s disease may experience more involuntary movement in the beginning stages of the disease.
There are various causes of dementia, such as stroke and substance abuse. To figure out whether you have Alzheimer’s, visit your doctor to do specialised investigations, such as a PET scan, a physical examination and other tests.
Final Thoughts
Different people differently experience dementia symptoms. Although Alzheimer’s has some common symptoms, dementia is caused by various things and affects other parts of you.
Unfortunately, both get worse over time. If you or someone you love seems to be experiencing memory loss, difficulty doing everyday tasks or frequent personality changes, it may be time to speak to your healthcare provider.
An accurate diagnosis allows you to explore more treatment options; the sooner you catch it, the better.
Don’t ignore any signs that shout ‘dementia’ or Alzheimer’s’. You can join support groups, caregiving or attend therapy – looking after a person with dementia or Alzheimer’s is one of the most challenging and emotional tasks.
