It is important for people to understand the difference between the two to help with early detection for better care of loved ones. This article is aimed at improving your awareness of the two health conditions by addressing common confusion.
Overview
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Journal, dementia is not a specific disease but a broad term referring to a decline in mental ability that usually interferes with daily life because it affects one’s ability to think clearly, remember things, or make decisions.
Alzheimer’s, on the other hand, is a specific brain disease characterized by progressive neurological disorders and the most common cause of dementia.
Understanding Dementia
Dementia is an overall term representing a group of illnesses or diseases that affect thinking, memory, reasoning, and social abilities (mood, behavior, and personality). It is an umbrella term referring to a group of symptoms majorly caused by physical disorders in the brain.
While dementia affects mostly older people it is not in any way related to aging since there many people live in their 90s without showing signs of dementia. Dementia cases may range from mild to severe conditions. Those with severe cases depend entirely on others for their basic activities of daily living like cleaning and feeding themselves.
Causes of Dementia
- Alzheimer’s disease: It affects memory, language, perception, thinking, and even social abilities.
- Vascular disease: The condition causes damage to the blood vessels in the brain thus interrupting the flow of blood and oxygen. It may also lead to severe arteries hardening and mild stroke which can cause dementia.
- Lewy body disease: It is a condition characterized by abnormal deposits of protein alpha-syncline known as Lewy bodies linked to short-term memory loss.
- Frontotemporal dementia: A rare type of dementia that occurs in people below 60 years associated with an abnormal buildup of proteins (TDP-43 and tau).
- Mixed dementia: This is a combination of dementia diseases that causes changes in brain function and leads to dementia symptoms.
Apart from diseases, there are reversible causes of dementia like nutrition deficiencies depression, and thyroid problems:
- Nutrition Deficiencies: Two common nutrition deficiencies linked to dementia are vitamin B12 deficiency and folate deficiency.
- Thyroid problems: Hypothyroidism has been found to contribute to the risk of dementia. The condition prevents the brain from getting the needed energy to function properly a situation that can lead to cognitive decline like memory loss and difficulty paying attention.
- Depression: Depression is known to affect memory and ability to think clearly making one exhibit dementia symptoms.
Symptoms of Dementia
Dementia symptoms may range from mild to severe and are based on the underlying cause. However, the most common symptoms of individuals suffering from dementia are as follows:
- Memory loss: Memory is a common cognitive change usually exhibited in someone with dementia. One has difficulty remembering things such as appointments and paying bills.
- Confusion: A person suffering from dementia may appear confused and disoriented. Such individuals are not even able to keep track of time and get lost easily even in familiar places.
- Difficulty with problem-solving: The inability to reason properly and solve problems can also be a sign of dementia. They are unable to make sound decisions or judgments and unable to perform basic activities of their daily living.
- Mood changes: An individual with dementia may experience mood swings and be easily irritated by trivial things.
- Behavioral shifts: May exhibit antisocial behavior where he or she is unable to interact or relate well with others. They usually have limited social abilities.
Types of Dementia
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia occurs when the blood vessels in the brain get damaged thus interrupting the flow of blood and oxygen in the brain. It also leads to severe arteries hardening and mild stroke thus leading to dementia.
Lewy body dementia
Lewy body dementia is a form of progressive cognitive decline characterized by a decline in reasoning, thinking, and independent function.
Frontotemporal dementia
Frontotemporal dementia refers to a group of diseases caused by the progressive loss of nerve cells in the frontal lobes of the brain.
The damage of these nerve cells usually leads to loss of function in the affected region of the brain leading to deterioration of behavior and personality and difficulty in comprehending language.
Mixed dementia
Mixed dementia is a condition referring to changes in brain function caused by more than one dementia condition that occurs simultaneously. For instance, a person experiencing brain linked to two dementia diseases; Alzheimer’s and dementia with Lewy bodies.
Huntington’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Huntington’s and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases have also been linked to dementia. Huntington’s is an inherited disorder linked to brain nerve cells decay over time which later affects the person’s thinking ability, movement and mental health.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob is a degenerative brain disorder marked by changes in mental abilities. It affects memory and muscle coordination thinking, leading to mental deterioration and dementia.
Understand How Dementia And Alzheimer’s Impact The Brain Explore More!
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease and the most common cause of dementia. According to Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60-80 percent of dementia cases. It is characterized by tau protein tangles and amyloid plaque buildup in the brain that affects the functioning of that part of the brain.
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s symptoms vary depending on the stages of the disease as explained below:
- Early stages: The patient may begin to experience symptoms such as mild memory loss and difficulty in organizing thoughts.
- Advanced Stages: The patient will exhibit severe memory loss, mood swings, and language issues. They also have physical dependency where they rely on people to help perform basic activities of their daily lives. They may also wander in their effort to reach certain destinations they have been familiar with and also lose track of time completely.
Causes of Alzheimer’s Disease
The buildup of amyloid plaques and tau proteins tangles
One cause of Alzheimer’s is the abnormal build of certain proteins in the brain called amyloid plaques and tau protein tangles which end up shrinking overtime the part of the brain responsible for memory thus leading to dementia.
The buildup of proteins also leads to the loss of neurotransmitters where the brain produces fewer chemicals responsible for sending messages between nerve cells.
Genetic factors
Some Alzheimer’s conditions are a result of genetics. If one comes from a family with a history of Alzheimer’s disease, it is likely to be passed down through family members. People with Down syndrome are also at risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
Environmental/Lifestyle Factors
Environmental factors such as exposure to pollutants, and head injury can also contribute to Alzheimer’s disease.
Lifestyle factors like smoking, high blood pressure, unhealthy diet, and excessive alcohol have been found to increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Types of Alzheimer’s Disease
Typical Alzheimer’s
It begins with memory loss where one easily forgets things including those simple routines in their daily life such as appointments and preparing a meal.
Atypical Alzheimer’s
Atypical Alzheimer’s does not cause memory problems but can affect one’s primary language (logopedic aphasia) and spatial awareness and vision (posterior cortical atrophy).
Key Differences Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
Dementia is an umbrella term referring to a group of symptoms majorly caused by physical disorders in the brain while Alzheimer’s is a disease under dementia.
Dementia is characterized by varied symptoms while Alzheimer’s is caused by a unique change in the brain that affects part of the brain responsible for memory.
Dementia has no specific treatment as its treatment depends on the underlying cause of the condition while Alzheimer’s has specific treatment aimed at managing the symptoms.
Diagnosing and Treating Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s
Dementia diagnosis
There is no single test for dementia, meaning that dementia diagnoses are based on a combination of assessments and tests including physical exams, mental ability tests, and medical history.
Alzheimer’s diagnosis
Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease involves a number of tests including neurological exam, mental status testing, brain scans, blood and urine tests, and spinal fluid. All these are to help a healthcare provider determine the possible cause of Alzheimer’s in that patient.
Interviews may also be conducted in the presence of close family and friends to help a healthcare provider get more information about the patient’s medication, personality diet, personality, and behavior changes.
Find Out How To Identify And Manage Dementia And Alzheimer’s
Treatment and Medication Options
Dementia treatment/medication options
Since dementia is not a specific disease, there is no cure for it. However, self-care and medical treatment for specific diseases that cause dementia can help ease the symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Also as mentioned earlier one of the main causes of dementia is nutrition deficiency and that is why vitamin supplementations can the one of the options for treating or reversing dementia symptoms. Also, thyroid treatment may also be a treatment option for dementia.
Alzheimer’s treatment/medication options
The doctor may prescribe the following medication to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms. These are medications for mild to moderate cases.
- Antipsychotics: To ease hallucination, paranoia, aggressive behavior, and confusion.
- Depression medications: To fight depression
- Sleep medications: For managing insomnia
- Anxiety drugs: For treating agitation
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors: For treating early, and mid-stage Alzheimer’s
- Amyloid PET scan: It is a diagnostic emerging technique that involves the use of radioactive traces to locate amyloid plaques in the brain. It helps the doctor to study the condition of Alzheimer’s patients for better treatment.
For severe Alzheimer’s cases, the doctor may administer N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist. This is a drug prescribed to patients to help decrease symptoms to help patients maintain certain daily functions much longer than they would without the prescription, for instance, using the bathroom independently.
Myths and Misconceptions
- Dementia is part of the aging process: It has nothing to do with the aging process but the risk of its development increases with age.
- Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same: Dementia is a group of diseases that affect mental abilities like memory and thinking abilities while Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia characterized by memory loss and inability to think and make sound decisions etc.
- Alzheimer’s only affects memory: Apart from memory loss Alzheimer’s patients also experience changes in behavior, personality, and mood.
- Dementia is untreatable: Dementia is not a specific disease but a combination of diseases, meaning that if each of these diseases that cause dementia is treated, it is then possible to treat dementia.
Supporting Someone with Dementia or Alzheimer’s
To support someone with dementia or Alzheimer’s, the caregiver needs to ensure the following:
- Maintain routines like bathing, dressing, and eating
- Make the environment familiar and safe
- Use simple communication techniques and help with communication
- Add the best brain supplements to improve overall brain health
- Keep them active to help with cognitive changes and mood
- Help with memory like helping the person develop a to-do list of appointments and events.
- Encourage seeking professional help. Link the person to available support groups and resources for people living with Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Emerging Research and Lifestyle Approaches
- Advancement in Treatments: There are advanced treatments like Lecanemab approved by the FDA. It slows the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s by targeting amyloid beta protein.
There is also Donamenab, a disease-modifying immunotherapy approved by the FDA to treat mild Alzheimer’s or cognitive impairment by eliminating abnormal beta-amyloid thus reducing the number of plaques in the brain delivered through IV.
- Lifestyle for Brain Health: Embracing a healthy lifestyle for brain health is recommended and can go a long way in supporting Alzheimer’s and dementia patients. Things like physical exercise, a healthy diet, and cognitive engagement are highly recommended.
- Statistics and Global Perspective: According to Alzheimer’s Disease International, in 2020 more than 55 million people worldwide had dementia. The number seems to double every 20 years which means by 2030 the number of dementia patients will be 78 million and 139 million people by 2050.
FAQs
Is Alzheimer’s always the cause of dementia?
There are several causes of dementia but Alzheimer’s is the common cause of dementia contributing to about 60% to 80% of dementia cases.
Can Dementia Be Reversed?
As to whether dementia can be reversed depends on the cause. Cases caused by genetics may be difficult to reverse but those caused by factors like nutrition deficiency can be reversed with vitamin supplements and by embracing a healthy diet.
Are there Effective Treatments for Alzheimer’s?
Yes, there are varieties of medications that can be prescribed to ease the symptoms and FDA-approved advanced treatments like Lecanemab.
How Can I Reduce My Risk of Developing Dementia?
You can reduce your risk of developing dementia by embracing a healthy diet, exercising regularly, managing weight, quitting smoking and managing alcohol, and staying mentally stimulated and socially active.
Conclusion
From our discussion above we are now able to differentiate between dementia and Alzheimer unlike before. Dementia is a collection of symptoms while Alzheimer’s is a specific disease.
It is important to detect the symptoms earlier and with proper care, it is possible to stop or delay the advancement of the disease. Also, the emerging advanced treatments in place make a significant difference as far as the treatment of the disease is concerned.
If you or your loved ones exhibit any of the symptoms discussed above, it is important to consult a healthcare professional. Alternatively, you can explore other available means or resources for support.