What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia?

Blog Category: Health

If you’re looking into memory loss as an older adult, you’ve probably heard words like Alzheimer’s and dementia used interchangeably. Read on for an easy breakdown of these terms, how they’re different, and the common comorbidities associated with them.

Dementia

Dementia is not a specific diagnosis but rather an umbrella term used to describe a wide range of symptoms. These symptoms affect your ability to perform everyday tasks on your own. Common symptoms of dementia include:

  • Memory decline
  • Changes in thinking
  • Poor judgment and reasoning skills
  • Decreased focus and attention
  • Changes in language
  • Changes in behavior

There are many different types of dementia, and there are many conditions that can contribute to its development. Mixed dementia is when more than one condition occurs simultaneously. Alzheimer’s is the most common diagnosis of dementia, making up roughly 70% of cases. However, dementia diagnoses can also include:

  • Lewy body dementia
  • Frontotemporal dementia
  • Vascular dementia
  • Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy
  • Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
  • Parkinson’s disease dementia
  • Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
  • Huntington’s disease
  • Mixed dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. Alzheimer’s is a degenerative brain disease caused by a series of complex brain changes following cell damage. This condition leads to dementia symptoms that worsen over time. The most common symptom, which occurs fairly early in the disease, is trouble remembering new information. This is because the condition typically affects the hippocampus, the part of the brain associated with learning.

As Alzheimer’s advances, symptoms become more severe and can include confusion, disorientation, and behavior changes. Eventually, speaking and swallowing may become difficult. Though the known risk factor of Alzheimer’s is simply aging, the disease is not a normal part of the aging process. Some additional symptoms of Alzheimer’s include:

  • Memory loss
  • Poor judgment leading to bad decisions
  • Loss of spontaneity and sense of initiative
  • Taking longer to complete normal daily tasks
  • Repeating questions
  • Trouble handling money and paying bills
  • Wandering and getting lost
  • Losing things or misplacing them in odd places
  • Increased anxiety and aggression
  • Mood and personality changes

Common Comorbidities

Comorbidity is the simultaneous presence of two or more diseases or medical conditions in a person. Knowing common comorbidities for a new diagnosis can help you stay alert of signs or symptoms for other conditions, making it easier to find solutions and treatments for a better quality of life. It is common to see the following comorbidities in a patient with dementia or Alzheimer’s:

  • Anemia
  • Anxiety
  • Auditory and visual impairment
  • Chronic cardiac failure
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Delirium
  • Depression
  • Diabetes
  • Epilepsy
  • Heart or cardiovascular disease
  • Hypertension
  • Malnutrition
  • Musculoskeletal disorders
  • Neurosis
  • Oral disease
  • Osteoporosis
  • Retinol diseases
  • Sensory impairment
  • Sleep disorders
  • Thyroid diseases

If you or your spouse are at high risk for Alzheimer’s or dementia, consider taking a screening and consult your doctor about what you can do to prevent the development of these memory impairments.

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