Most people usually use the words "dementia" and "Alzheimer's" interchangeably without knowing that these two words have different meanings and scope. Many times, when we see an older person with symptoms of forgetting or confusion, we think of these words at once. But in truth, understanding the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's will help us be able to care for and deal with these symptoms correctly. Today we will get to know both these conditions in detail, and learn how dementia and Alzheimer's differ.

Dementia and Alzheimer's are not the same disease

Many people usually misunderstand that dementia and Alzheimer's are the same disease, but in truth dementia is a broad group of symptoms that has its cause in several diseases, while Alzheimer's is one specific disease that gives rise to the symptoms of dementia.

Alzheimer's is "one of the states of dementia"

When we speak of how Alzheimer's vs dementia differ, we must understand first that Alzheimer's is the main cause that gives rise to the state of dementia, but there are also several other kinds of cause that can give rise to the symptoms of dementia as well.

Getting to know "the state of dementia (Dementia)"

Understanding the matter of the state of dementia will help us see the overall picture of the problem more clearly, which will lead to planning care that is suitable and more effective.

What is the state of dementia?

The state of dementia, or Dementia, is a group of symptoms arising from the degeneration of the brain cells in various parts, so that intellectual ability decreases greatly until it affects the carrying on of daily life. It is not part of the natural process of growing old, but an abnormal state that must receive suitable care and treatment.

The main symptoms of the state of dementia that can be observed

The symptoms of the state of dementia usually show themselves gradually, stage by stage, with the main symptoms that can be observed as follows:

Memory beginning to degenerate, particularly remembering new events
Confusion about time and place, not knowing where one is
The ability to think, analyse, and decide decreasing
A marked change of personality and mood
Problems in the use of language and in communication
The loss of the ability to do activities one was once skilled at

These symptoms will become more and more severe and significantly affect work, going into society, and caring for oneself.

What are the causes of the state of dementia?

Besides Alzheimer's disease, there are also other causes that can give rise to the state of dementia, for example

Dementia from cerebral blood vessels (Vascular Dementia) - arising from a problem of the circulation of blood nourishing the brain
Dementia of the Lewy body kind (Lewy Body Dementia) - having symptoms similar to Parkinson's, such as trembling and being unable to walk
Dementia of the frontal and temporal lobes (Frontotemporal Dementia) - affecting personality and behaviour as the main thing

Knowing how to distinguish these causes will help in planning suitable treatment.

Going deeply into "Alzheimer's disease (Alzheimer's)", cause number 1 of dementia

Once we understand that Alzheimer's is the main cause of the state of dementia, we should get to know this disease more deeply, so as to be able to prepare and care for patients suitably.

What is Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer's disease is a disease arising from the accumulation of abnormal proteins in the brain, namely beta-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The accumulation of these proteins makes the nerve cells degenerate and die away more and more, beginning from the part of the brain that controls memory and then gradually spreading to other parts, so that the various abilities of the patient gradually degenerate more and more.

The specific symptoms of Alzheimer's disease at each stage

Alzheimer's disease develops its symptoms in 3 main stages, as follows:

The early stage (Mild):

Forgetting new events, such as forgetting what was said or an appointment
Confusion about time, not being sure what day today is
Having a problem in thinking of words, being unable to find the words to say

The middle stage (Moderate):

Having a problem remembering the faces of those close, or forgetting the names of acquaintances
Needing help in the routines of daily life, such as dressing and bathing
Possibly having symptoms of delusion or of increased anxiety

The late stage (Severe):

Losing the ability to communicate, being unable to speak or speaking unintelligibly
Being unable to care for oneself at all
Needing care at all times in every activity

Who is the risk group for Alzheimer's disease?

Although age is the main risk factor, there are also other factors that increase the risk, such as heredity, heart and vascular disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, and lack of exercise. Understanding these factors will help in preventing and slowing the arising of the disease.

The diagnosis and the approach to treating Alzheimer's and the state of dementia

Knowing the warning signals and understanding the process of diagnosis will help the patient and the family receive suitable care early, which will have a good effect on the quality of life in the long term.

What kind of warning signals should lead one to see a doctor?

When symptoms of forgetting that affect daily life are observed, or confusion about time and place, difficulty in doing activities one was once skilled at, a marked change of personality, or the loss of the ability to decide, a specialist physician should be consulted for detailed and precise assessment.

The approach to treating Alzheimer's at present

Although there is still no medicine to treat Alzheimer's so that it heals completely, there are approaches to treatment that help slow the symptoms and improve the quality of life, whether the use of medicine to slow the degeneration of memory and thought; therapy and activities to stimulate the brain, such as doing creative activities, light exercise, and training the skill of memory; as well as palliative care covering both the body and the mind. At a specialist clinic such as PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic there is a multidisciplinary team consisting of rehabilitation physicians, physiotherapists (PT: Physical Therapist), occupational therapists (OT: Occupational Therapist), and speech therapists (SLP: Speech Language Pathologist), who together design a programme of therapy and restoration specifically for older people and those who have problems of the nervous system, so that the care covers both the restoration of physical capacity and the stimulation of the working of the brain.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

In order to understand more about the difference between dementia and Alzheimer's, let us look at the questions many people wonder about.

Does a person who has Alzheimer's always have the state of dementia?

Yes, because Alzheimer's is the main cause that gives rise to the symptoms of dementia. Therefore an Alzheimer's patient will certainly have the symptoms of dementia.

Can the state of dementia be treated so that it heals completely?

Most states of dementia cannot be treated so that they heal completely, but the symptoms can be slowed and the quality of life improved with suitable treatment and care.

Is Alzheimer's disease passed on by heredity?

Heredity is one of the risk factors, but it does not mean that one will certainly have it. Having a family history of Alzheimer's increases the risk slightly, but other factors are no less important.

Summary of the article

The main difference between dementia and Alzheimer's is that dementia is a group of symptoms that has its cause in several diseases, while Alzheimer's is a specific disease that is the main cause of the state of dementia. Understanding this difference will help us be able to care for and deal with the problem correctly and effectively.

If abnormal symptoms are observed, a doctor should be consulted for diagnosis and for planning suitable treatment of Alzheimer's as soon as possible. Care covering both medical treatment and therapy and restoration will help the patient and the family have a better quality of life.

For those who want advice about caring for older people or for those who have problems of the nervous system, you may come for a free consultation with the team of physicians and occupational therapists at PYONG Rehabilitation Clinic