The Difference Between Alzheimer's And Dementia
By Beverly Moore

Question: What is the difference between Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia?

Answer: Many families tell me, “Oh, he doesn’t have Alzheimer’s, just dementia.”

Dementia is just a descriptive term; a set of signs and symptoms that indicate cognitive impairment (a change in the ability to think or a change in abilities).

There are many causes for dementia. Any toxin or condition that deprives the brain of oxygen or nourishment can cause dementia symptoms. Consider the conditions that could be the cause of dementia: heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney or liver disease, thyroid dysfunction, respiratory conditions and poor nutrition are some.

Alcohol or drug abuse or working in a toxic environment over a period of time can cause dementia. Some of these conditions are treatable; these treatments can ease or entirely rid the person of signs and symptoms of dementia.

There are dementing illnesses that are specific as well. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, accounting for 75% or more of all causes of dementia.

It is a disease that has a specific impact on the brain, killing brain cells as beta amyloid protein deposits block pathways of thought. Other dementing illnesses are Lewy Body disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Multi-infarct dementia and Pick’s disease.

About half of the people with Parkinson’s disease also become demented. I tell families that if a doctor says the diagnosis is dementia, the next question should be, “What kind or cause?”

To diagnose the cause of dementia, blood test, brain imaging and pencil and paper tests must be administered to come up with the reason behind the change in thought processes.

Alzheimer’s is a diagnosis of exclusion; one must exclude all other causes to diagnose Alzheimer’s.

This method of diagnosis is about 85% accurate in diagnosing a person with Alzheimer’s type dementia.

Next Month’s Question: What are the behaviors that are typical of Alzheimer’s?

About The Author
Beverly is owner of Alzheimer Coaching Services. She offers coaching to understand dementia and to learn to accommodate the person through habilitation methods. Her company is located in Quincy and you may reach her at (617) 233-1145, or www.alzheimercoachingservices.com.