Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s
Has one doctor told you that your aging parent has “dementia” while another has referred to the same condition as “Alzheimer’s”? If this experience has thoroughly confused you, you’re in the right place.
First, let me define dementia…
“Dementia” refers to a large cluster of symptoms
The symptoms of dementia include: short-term memory loss, poor judgment and difficulty performing familiar tasks. These symptoms are not just part of aging and are not normal. On the contrary, they are cause for concern.
If you or a family member is experiencing symptoms of dementia, the next question is this: What the heck is causing them?
This is where the primary care provider comes in. Assuming that alcohol or drug abuse is not the culprit, she/he can begin running tests to get at the cause.
These tests are important. Why?
Because some dementia symptoms are reversible and treatable (this is often the case when they’re caused by a vitamin deficiency or depression).
Determining the cause of dementia
The doctor will most likely test blood first. Some doctors will also perform a mini-mental status exam. Scans of the brain may, or may not, come later depending upon what the less invasive tests find.
The #1 cause of dementia
When the symptoms of dementia can’t be explained by a reversible cause, testing turns to the three most common (and irreversible) causes of dementia. The first among these is Alzheimer’s disease which is believed to be responsible for as much as 70% of all dementia.
If the doctor believes Alzheimer’s disease is the cause, the official diagnosis would be Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type. Often, she/he will refer to it as Alzheimer’s. (Alzheimer’s disease can only be confirmed with a brain autopsy).
Dementia vs. Alzheimer’s
So the doctor is using the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” interchangeably and it’s confusing to you or your aging parent? There is no harm in saying something like:
Hey Doc, when you say ‘dementia’, do you mean ‘dementia of the Alzheimer’s type’, or do you think something other than Alzheimer’s disease may be causing the dementia?”
The #2 cause of dementia
The second most common cause of dementia accounting for roughly 30% of all cases is high blood pressure. Well, actually it’s high blood pressure and high cholesterol with some extra help provided by diabetes.
The official diagnosis given to the kind of dementia that is caused by high blood pressure and it’s good friends high cholesterol and diabetes is called Vascular Dementia or Multi-Infarct Dementia.
Understanding Vascular Dementia also known as Multi-Infarct Dementia
To have a brain in tiptop shape, blood needs to flow smoothly to and from it. This is what makes high blood pressure (i.e. hypertension), high cholesterol and diabetes so bad. Each one in its own special way, plays a part in making it difficult for blood to flow.
Not unlike the hair that may get stuck in your bathtub drain, fat and other nasty particles can get stuck in your arteries. Over time, this can make it tough for the blood (like the water) to flow smoothly. The more gunk in there, the more likely that a full-on blockage or interruption in the blood flow will occur. When this happens it’s called an infarction. Dementia can result from one too many infarctions…
One significant difference between Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia
Depending upon the stage of Alzheimer’s a person is in, medications such as Aricept and Namenda may be used to delay the progression of symptoms. Those with Vascular Dementia can sometimes slow the decline by lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and getting better control over diabetes.
Lastly, and this is very important, much of the research suggests that good overall health can actually protect the brain against developing Alzheimer’s and, of course, Vascular Dementia.
The #3 cause of dementia
The third most common cause of dementia is Parkinson’s Disease. To be clear, this doesn’t mean that everyone who has Parkinson’s Disease will develop dementia, but some people do. However, this kind of dementia typically develops during later stages of the illness.
If it is determined that Parkinson’s Disease is the cause of the dementia in your aging parent, the official diagnosis would be: Dementia Due to Parkinson’s Disease.
Next step: Read more about Alzheimer’s
Madeline April 17, 2013 at 11:58 pm
I need some practical help in learning how to deal with my 88 year old mother. She refuses to accept the fact that she has been diagnosed with dementia/early stage Alzheimer’s. It is simply not something that one can even mention, even indirectly, much less discuss without causing a full-blown tantrum. She is in a nursing home, and I am her only support. She also has macular degeneration with very limited eyesight and can no longer do things she used to enjoy. The things she can do, she does not want to do, and always has reasons. She does want to do things that are not realistic in her situation. For instance, she insists I bring her a needle and thread so she can sew. She cannot keep track of her coffee cup or anything else (due to combination of memory loss and poor sight) so it seems unlikely that she can keep track of a needle, and loosing it will probably result in her sitting or stepping on it. But refusing to give it to her means a battle. This may sound trivial, but things like this are a constant, and trying to figure out how to deal with them without damaging her self esteem or causing an uproar is going to drive me to the psychiatrist’s couch.
amely January 8, 2013 at 11:09 pm
My mom is 78 the dr diagnosed her with dementia yesterday ,gave her Aricept when she took it this morning she had paranoia, vomitting, numbness and tingling on her face and head dizziness it was horrable. Her dr said stop medication,, has any one experienced this?
gerrie September 29, 2012 at 8:57 pm
my mother is 97 years old and I have been told that she has demenita. she does not know who I am but think that I am her mother. she knows that her name is Beulah but that is it. Lately she her arms and hands have been shaking making me think that she has parkison. I am not sure the doctor says it is not parkinson but came about because she had pneumonia. I just found this site and will read all about the difference between the two.
Andrea September 20, 2012 at 1:49 pm
Mom has been losing short term memory for a while now. Doctor just diagnosed her with dementia. Don’t know if having it labeled makes me feel better or not. My Dad chooses to ignore it and they both want to stay in their home. Their ages are 90 and 91. It is very painful to watch and even harder to know how what to do next.
At this point there does not seem to be any medications that will have any affect on the symptoms so we will take it one day at a time. This site was helpful because it shows me that many other people are going through the same things. I feel very alone many times dealing with this.
margaret September 20, 2012 at 11:22 am
I should tell you I am on b.p. meds but my bp is very good and I seem to have no trouble with that.
margaret September 20, 2012 at 11:16 am
This past winter I becames very ill with diarhea and vomiting and went to emergency room. I was left with extreme dizziness and had a procedure to fix that, but now I have a problem with remembering names, but absolutely no signs of alz. or dementia. What could it be?
Sue Goff September 20, 2012 at 8:44 am
Very useful information. I have been a surgical nurse until now that I’m 64. My mom has developed dementia and she and dad are in denial. She is on Aricept. I always go to the doctor with them. She is 84, he is 87.
She is also hateful and mean to my dad, and it breaks my heart. They will NOT even talk about coming out of their home. I knew a great deal about the pathology of Dementia/Alzheimer’s, bit I had never experienced it in my OWN family……very difficult emotional journey!! Sue
Marjie September 17, 2012 at 9:40 am
Suzanne, your friend should have his meds checked by a pharmacist as there are meds that conflict and can cause many problems, even though Doctors will deny
it, but the pharmacist is the one that really understands the drugs..
suzanne August 31, 2012 at 6:19 pm
i have a friend who is 78. 3 years ago he did not remember a rod he has driven for 11 years he started mumbling and losing control of his arms. now he has a problem with his tounge, moving it around in his mouth. the symtions have progressed. he has seen drs here and in st louis. the dr have run the mri’s and brain tests with the electroides on his head. he is smart and can answer the jeopary questions 90 % of the time.he went for a walk with my husband and kept kicking his leg out. he knos he does some of the things. the doctors say nothing is wrong what do you think??
Angela Cunningham August 31, 2012 at 10:11 am
This information was very informative. My mother was diagnose with Alzheimers several years ago when the information and details need about the disease were limited. As a caretakers it left the family confused about what to do and exactly how to handle the changes that were taking place. We did not have a clue about what to expect back then. Reading your post has enlighten my understanding greatly. Thanks for a better understanding of the disease.
Juanita Torres August 31, 2012 at 8:34 am
I Am very concerned about my sister because she forgets things such as her way to her home or to a store, returning phone calls, things on the oven or stove and conversations we had previously etc. Last week on Wednesday, she invited me for dinner on the next Friday and have a great time after she had a surgery the week before and I accepted her invitation. Then, she called me on Thursday I mentioned that I would bring dessert for dinner and she surprised me with her answer, she denied that she invited me for dinner. Is Dementia? She has two kids 6 and 7 year old. Is ok to alert her husband or other family members?
delorice August 31, 2012 at 7:57 am
My Mother has been diagnosed but no test were taken .It was determined by her actions about 5 years ago she started having hallucinations and was afraid to be alone.The docter did an office assesment and said early onset dementia. She is on namenda and exelon patch. Her memory has worsen but she still does well for 90.Blood pressure is good and no diabetes or high cholestrol. At this point we’ve excepted it and are thankful she is able to have as normal life as possible
Maria January 17, 2012 at 11:18 am
Hi Juli,
That’s a good question and one worth asking the doctor. Vascular dementia is typically rooted in poor cardiovascular health (i.e. high blood pressure, heart failure, etc.). Without this, I am as stumped as you.
Maria
Juli Tenbrink January 16, 2012 at 9:34 am
My 60 year old husband was diagnosed with vascular dementia this past July. He has exceptionallly good heart health and no blood pressure problems either. He did have a cancerous brain tumor removed at age 17 and has had Hepatitis C. (The Hep C has disappeared after an experimental chemo treatment 6 years ago.) Why would the doctor diagnose vascular rather than Alzheimer’s? Juli
a.m July 31, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Very informative and easy to understand.
Dean Smith July 6, 2011 at 9:31 pm
Thanks Maria,
I’m just getting started. I’m glad I found your site first. Thanks in advance.
Hugs,
Dean Smith
Anonymous June 16, 2010 at 1:16 am
What a great resource!
MarkSpizer May 3, 2010 at 3:42 am
great post as usual!