You must have seen that dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are two terms that are being used interchangeably, although these terms are distinguishable. Alzheimer’s is a specific brain disease; meanwhile, dementia is an umbrella term used for the collection of symptoms.
Folks may perceive that Alzheimer’s is another term for dementia. However, Alzheimer’s disease is meant to be dementia, but all dementias are not Alzheimer’s for sure. Let’s dive in and fetch the differences between these two terms.
Types Of Dementia
Learning about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is crucial for each individual. Hence, let’s move ahead and see how many dementias there are.
1- Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is one of the most common types of dementia after Alzheimer’s. It is caused by specific issues in the blood supply to the brain or stroke. A few common symptoms of vascular dementia are.
- Depression
- Memory issues & confusion
- Difficult to focus or pay attention
- Hallucinations
- Reading & writing issues
And so on. Vascular dementia differs from Alzheimer’s disease as high cholesterol, stroke, or low blood supply are not responsible for Alzheimer’s.
2- Parkinson’s Disease Dementia
Parkinson’s disease dementia is another type of dementia that Parkinson’s disease( a neurological condition) can cause. A person having Parkinson’s disease is more likely to get Parkinson’s disease dementia after a year or a few years of diagnosis.
A few symptoms of Parkinson’s disease dementia are;
- Delusions
- Appetite changes
- Memory issues
- Mood swings
- Sleep disturbance
Alzheimer’s disease is different from Parkinson’s disease dementia as it will only occur in people who are already suffering from Parkinson’s disease. The Neurology One can give you expert advice regarding dementia.
3- Dementia With Lewy Bodies
Dementia with Lewy bodies is caused by protein lumps in the brain’s nerves. In Lewy body dementia, the electric signals are disrupted, breaking the connection between nerve cells. The symptoms are as follows.
- Confusion
- Movement changes
- Trouble in thinking
The symptoms of DLB align with Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, but it is a different ailment. That’s the reason various doctors may get confused while making a diagnosis.
4- Mixed Dementia
Mixed dementia is another condition in which the person is suffering from more than one type of dementia at the same time. The coexistence of Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular dementia is a common example of mixed dementia.
The symptoms of mixed dementia include the signs of both kinds of dementia that the person is suffering from. Mixed dementia is more common in older people as the different parts of the brain have been affected.
5- Frontotemporal Dementia
Frontotemporal dementia is the least common type of dementia. It is caused by the loss of nerve cells in the frontal or temporal lobes of the brain.
The symptoms of frontotemporal dementia are;
- Behavioural changes
- Personality shifts
- Apathy
- Language complications
Alzheimer’s disease is different from frontotemporal dementia as FTD can be found in people in their 40s; meanwhile, Alzheimer’s disease is most common in their 60s. Moreover, hallucinations are a common sign of Alzheimer’s and are missing in FTD.
What’s The Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease & Dementia?
Dementia is a term used for numerous symptoms, as we’ve discussed above in types of dementia. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Let’s dive in and see the crystal clear differences in these terms.
Symptoms
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include
- Short-term memory loss problems
- Apathy
- Depression
- Confusion
- Behavioural Changes
Meanwhile, the symptoms of all types of dementia are
- Both short-term and long-term memory loss
- Inability of thinking & problem solving
- Behavioral changes
- Mood swings
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s may overlap with dementia but they are different from other dementias. The leading cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s, accounting for 60–80% of cases.
Risk Factors
Risk factors of Alzheimer’s disease may also overlap as it is also a type of dementia. For instance, Vascular Dementia can be caused by stroke. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is still missing but there are a few risk factors that can increase the risk of getting any type of dementia.
These include;
- High blood pressure
- Depression
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Obesity
- Lack of physical activities
- Age
- Genetics
- Particular medical condition
Treatment
The treatment of dementia and Alzheimer’s also varies because of different symptoms and affected areas of the brain. However, there’s no complete cure for any type of dementia, but specific medicines are given to control the symptoms of the ailment. For instance, antidepressants to control depression and sleeping pills to improve sleep cycle.
Do You Know What Kind Of Dementia Do You Have?
If you notice any signs of memory loss or behaviour changes in you or any of your loved ones then don’t ignore them. It can be difficult for you to figure out the exact cause as symptoms can overlap between different types. So it’s always important to see a neurologist for a proper diagnosis and discuss your concerns.
Furthermore, keep in mind that dementia is not a part of natural aging. Early diagnosis and right treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. Doctor will ask you about your medical history. He will also do some physical exams and might recommend brain scans or cognitive tests to get a clearer picture.
So If you or anyone are experiencing memory problems or changes in behavior, don’t hesitate to seek help from best neurologists in Orlando at Neurology One.
Why Accurate Diagnosis Matters?
Accurate diagnosis is important because each type of dementia requires different treatments.
Tailored Treatment
Different types of dementia like Alzheimer’s or vascular dementia require different ways for treatment. A proper diagnosis ensures the appropriate treatments which control symptoms efficiently and slow down disease progression.
Better Understanding
If you know the type of dementia then it will be easy for you and your family to know about the nature of disease. This helps to better manage with the bahvior and cognition changes that can develop over time, and get ready for upcoming difficulties.
Avoiding Misdiagnosis
A wrong diagnosis results in treatments that don’t work and cause unwanted side effects. For example, If someone has Lewy Body Dementia and will get treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, then it will make their symptoms more worse. This is why getting the right diagnosis is so important for good treatment.
Improved Care
Correct diagnosis helps caregivers to choose more appropriate care plans. For instance, those with Frontotemporal Dementia could need different care strategies because of personality changes while people with Alzheimer’s disease might need more memory-oriented treatments.
Final Verdict
Now, it’s crystal clear for you that all dementias are not Alzheimer’s disease. It’s fair to say that Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. If you still have confusion regarding dementias, you can contact Neurology One. Our professionals would love to consult you.
