Dementia Versus Alzheimer’s Disease: Not One and the Same

Posted by peckbloom - March 11th, 2010

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia are not interchangeable terms. Although they have similar symptoms and are branches of the same overall problem, it is critical to make a distinction between the two through a medical diagnosis by a dementia specialist. I scanned through several articles on the Internet and made a small comparison of the two conditions.

1. Alzheimer’s Disease: (Unique Disease)

  • Alzheimer’s is the most common FORM of dementia.
  • Severe memory LOSS (as the disease progresses).

Ex:) Forget how to dress, Fail to recognize familiar people/places, Problems speaking/reading/writing, Tendency to wander away.

  • Can occur as early as 45 years old.
  • Different for each individual affected by the disease.
  • Progressively gets worse, is fatal.

2. Dementia: (Umbrella Term)

  • Describes a number of symptoms related to mental degredation.
  • Common problem in the elderly population
  • Diagnosed later in life: 70-80 years old
  • Some causes of dementia are treatable
  • Memory IMPAIRMENT related with old age

Ex:) Forgetfulness, Difficulty making plans/thinking ahead, Orientation problems.

  • Includes: Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, head injury, delirium, stroke, brain tumor, Alcoholic Dementia, Multi-Infarct Dementia, etc…

For more information on Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias, visit the wealth of information at the Alzheimer’s Association website at: http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_related_diseases.asp

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