I get asked often, “Is Dementia, Alzheimer’s or the other way around”?
Dementia is not a disease but a term that covers a wide range of symptoms caused by damage to brain cells which causes problems with thinking, memory or behavior.
Alzheimer’s: The most common type of dementia: difficulty remembering names and events, there are signs of apathy and depression. As Alzheimer’s progresses, there can be impaired judgement, confusion, personality change, aphasia (difficulty speaking) and dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
Vascular Dementia: Decreases blood flow to the brain, typically caused by strokes which block the arteries that aid in blood flow to the brain. Symptoms can overlap with Alzheimer’s Disease. One common distinguishing factor is that there is slowness of thinking and processing. Impaired blood flow to the brain can not only result from strokes, but also from underlying heart disease. This can be another common etiology that can reduce or disrupt cerebral circulation.
Lewy Body: Like Alzheimer’s but distinguished by physical tremors, stiffness, and many times visual and auditory hallucinations. Many Lewy Body patients tend to be sleepier than before diagnosis. This could resemble Parkinson’s Disease.
Frontotemporal Dementia: Begins in the forefront of the brain (teacher shows visual and has students touch their own heads). This can be caused by injury to the head (Boxers, football players, soccer players, not wearing a helmet, physical abuse patients) Previous physical abuse to the head can also cause this type of dementia. Symptoms like personality changes, shifts and behavior and difficulty communicating all can be part of Frontotemporal Dementia.
Huntington’s Disease: progressive degeneration of nerve cells in the brain sometimes caused by genetics. Symptoms include changes in mental health status, range of motion, or cognition. Early onset can look like- balance issues, confusion, irregular movements like flailing of limbs, and personality changes.
Mixed Dementia: Many people living with cognitive impairment have multiple forms of dementia. Usually a mix of Alzheimer’s and Vascular Dementia.
Any cognitive impairment diagnosis is difficult, but understanding the types will allow you to plan for the future. If you or a loved on recently received a dementia diagnosis, Seaside Home Health Care can assist in getting you plugged in with local resources and support groups to walk alongside. Please reach out to us at any time.
Graphic used from the Alzheimer’s Association.
