In the early 1900s, Alois Alzheimer looked at abnormal plaques in the brain. This was the first recorded case of the possible disease. In the century that followed, scientists have made many more discoveries about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Unfortunately, not all is known, and there is a lot of research to go before researchers find possible cures for the illnesses.
If scientists and doctors are left slightly boggled by Alzheimer’s and dementia, then what about the general public? Americans always want answers when they don’t understand a medical condition. We are going to try and describe in simple English what the differences are between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia – What is the difference?
Dementia – Dementia describes any person whose thinking and memory are impaired. In addition, it is when a person requires assistance to perform the same tasks they used to be able to do.
Alzheimer’s Disease – Alzheimer’s disease is an abnormality inside the brain. If you are in a laboratory and look under a microscope, you can see those abnormalities in the brain.
So, if a person has Alzheimer’s, he or she has a form of dementia. However, someone can have dementia without having Alzheimer’s because the conditions can be caused by another known form of dementia.
Other Forms of Dementia
Here is a listing of some other forms of dementia:
• Vascular – When people suffer a stroke, it can cut off the oxygen supply in the brain. Afterwards, brain cells die, and the sufferer can have difficulties with thinking and movement.
• Fronto-Temporal – Fronto-Temporal dementia influences your behavior and personality. It is situated in the front portion of the brain, but it also has an influence on your memory.
• Lewy Bodies – This happens when nerve cells begin to degenerate due to ball-shaped structures in the brain.
• Creutzfeldt-Jacobs Disease – This is a neurodegenerative disease caused by a brain infection. Similar types of spongiform encephalopathy cause Mad Cow Disease and other types of animal brain disease.
• MCI (Mild Cognitive Impairment) – This is an early form of memory loss that some scientists believe can lead to Alzheimer’s or dementia.
This occurs mostly in younger aged adults.
• Cognitive Impairment Caused by HIV – Various forms of AIDs can cause damage to the memory, as well.
• Parkinson’s Disease – Parkinson’s is considered a form of dementia because it more serious cases, the sufferer develops memory loss. It is caused normally by sharp blows to the head. Some football players develop Parkinson’s after their careers are over. Yet, most associate Parkinson’s with Muhammad Ali, who developed it from getting hit numerous times while boxing.
Alzheimer’s vs. Dementia – Conclusion
When it comes to Alzheimer’s vs. dementia, it is clear to see the differences. Dementia is comprised of many different illnesses, and it is used to describe memory loss. If a person has Alzheimer’s, then he or she has a form of dementia. However, if someone is diagnosed with dementia, it does not mean that they have Alzheimer’s disease.
If you are the caregiver of a senior who is experiencing signs of any memory problems, it’s a smart idea to mention it to their doctor, so they can give other tests to determine if they are experiencing any kind of cognitive impairment.
