The Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s: Dementia and Alzheimer’s are both disorders that cause significant memory loss and trouble with reasoning and problem-solving, but they are not the same thing.
Although it may be common to hear these two terms used interchangeably, they actually represent different types of brain deterioration that can have different symptoms and treatments. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed
with either dementia or Alzheimer’s, it can be helpful to know the differences between Dementia and Alzheimer’s so you can make informed decisions about your health care options.
What is the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s?
In this post, I’m going to share with you all the Exact Differences between Alzheimer’s and Dementia. let’s get started with:
Differentiating features
The main distinction between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease is that dementia is a broader term referring to a set of symptoms experienced by those who suffer from any of a number of different diseases. The most common form, however, is Alzheimer’s.
These two terms are commonly used interchangeably, but they don’t mean exactly the same thing: while they share some characteristics, dementia represents a broad category of ailments while Alzheimer’s is one specific type.
Similarities
- Both dementia and Alzheimer’s are caused by problems with a protein in your brain called tau.
- They also share some symptoms, including loss of memory, confusion, impaired judgment, mood changes, and personality changes.
- But that’s where similarities between dementia and Alzheimer’s end. Let’s look at what distinguishes .these two conditions from one another.
When to get help
If you have any concerns about your loved one’s behavior, it’s important to speak with their doctor immediately. Keep in mind that a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease can take between six months and two years, so act quickly. The sooner a treatment plan is started, the better your loved one will fare in terms of both comfort and quality of life.
What kind of help is available?
If you’re worried about your memory, there are many things you can do to get a better sense of your mental health. The first step is to make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Your doctor can run a few tests to see if there are any issues in particular. If they recommend further investigation, they will likely refer you to a neurologist who specializes in diagnosing brain diseases like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. this is one of the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Finding out your risk factors
Having a risk factor doesn’t mean you’ll definitely get Alzheimer’s, but knowing what puts you at risk is essential to effectively managing your health. Some of the biggest risk factors for developing dementia include.
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How do I talk about it?
The difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s is that dementia is not specific to memory loss. If you forget where you left your keys, then it’s possible you might have some form of early-stage dementia, but if you forget how to use your keys then it’s likely that you have a form of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Where can I get support?
Both Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are progressive diseases, meaning they continue to get worse over time. If you think a loved one may be showing signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s, it’s important to seek help right away.
Visiting a doctor is an important first step toward getting your loved one diagnosed as early as possible so that they can receive treatment. For more information on what signs to look for, see What are Memory Loss and Forgetfulness?.
This article was about The Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s, All the important differences you need to know in 2022.
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