If you struggle to understand the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, you are not alone. The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences between them and what they mean. Daniel Lee, MD, a neuropsychiatrist at OhioHealth, clarifies what sets these terms apart and how they are similar, as well as their symptoms, causes and treatments. Read on to find out how you can support someone in your life struggling with memory loss or cognitive difficulties.
“There is widespread confusion about dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but it’s important to distinguish between the terms,” says Dr. Lee. “Understanding the underlying cause of memory loss helps direct the management of the condition.”
A syndrome vs. a disease
Dr. Lee says that it’s most helpful to understand that dementia is a syndrome or a collection of symptoms and signs. Importantly, the term “dementia” does not specify a cause and simply refers to a state of cognitive change that affects someone’s ability to manage daily living activities such as driving, managing medications or dressing themselves.
However, Alzheimer’s disease is a specific pathological process that can result in cognitive decline and/or dementia. While dementia is most often caused by Alzheimer’s disease, it can also be the result of stroke and cerebrovascular disease, a tumor, brain infection or other progressive neurodegenerative diseases such as Lewy body disease, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, chronic traumatic encephalopathy or Parkinson’s disease.
Risk factors and symptoms
The biggest risk factor for developing dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is advancing age. While there are people who develop early-onset dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, these conditions most often affect people over the age of 65.
Additional risk factors include:
- Family history
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Poor diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Hearing and vision loss
Alzheimer’s disease typically, though not always, affects the parts of your brain responsible for learning and memory, which is why people have difficulty remembering new information in the early stages of the disease. Additional signs and symptoms of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease include:
- Memory changes
- Decline in planning skills
- Behavior changes
- Word-finding difficulties
- Problems with visual analysis
- Difficulty focusing on tasks or conversation
Dr. Lee confirms that everyone can make the occasional cognitive mistake. Forgetting where you left your keys or phone generally isn’t something to be concerned about as long as it happens on rare occasions. As people age, it’s also normal to experience some age-related cognitive changes.
“Having trouble remembering someone’s name or a minor detail of a past conversation can be normal,” says Dr. Lee. “It’s more concerning if your aging parent or relative demonstrates memory or thinking changes on a more consistent and progressive basis.”
Prevention and treatment
For people hoping to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, Dr. Lee says that managing chronic health conditions, including diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure and cholesterol, is important. Getting plenty of sleep and eating a healthy diet that’s high in lean protein and whole grains, with plenty of healthy fats, as well as fruits and vegetables, can provide some protection. Additionally, correcting hearing and vision loss is vital as it helps prevent social isolation. Managing stress or depression should also be a priority.
“There are many research studies in progress that we hope will guide our understanding of what causes dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” says Dr. Lee. “A healthy lifestyle is just one piece of the puzzle, but an important one for general disease prevention and conditions that can lead to memory loss.”
Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, but there are several Food and Drug Administration-approved medications that work to slow the disease’s progression. In addition, a newly approved medication removes amyloid plaques in people with the very early signs of Alzheimer’s disease.
Focusing on the present
Learning that you or someone you love has dementia or Alzheimer’s can be difficult. Dr. Lee says helping someone with the condition advocate for themselves can be enormously helpful. In addition, social workers can be excellent resources for navigating through the changes.
“I often tell my patients that no two journeys are the same, and their experience with dementia or Alzheimer’s disease is unique,” says Dr. Lee. “These conditions often progress slowly, so I urge them to focus on each day as it comes.”
If you think a loved one might be in the early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s, a helpful next step would be to have a conversation with them and their primary care doctor.
For more information on senior health, visit our Senior Health website on OhioHealth.com.
