Dementia vs. Alzheimers Disease: What is the Difference?

Posted on

May 11, 2021

To learn more aboutAlzheimer's Association of Utah, CLICK HERE.
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. Alzheimers is the most common cause of dementia. Alzheimers is a specific disease. Dementia is not.
Learning about the two terms and the difference between them is important and can empower individuals with Alzheimers or another dementia, their families, and their caregivers with the necessary knowledge.
Dementia overview
Dementia describes a group of symptomsassociated with a decline in memory, reasoning, or other thinking skills. Many different types of dementiaexist, and many conditions cause it. Mixed dementiais a condition in which brain changes of more than one type of dementia occur simultaneously. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of dementia cases.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging. It is caused by damage to brain cells that affects their ability to communicate, which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings.



Alzheimers overview
Alzheimers is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by complex brain changesfollowing cell damage. It leads to dementia symptoms that gradually worsen over time. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer'sis trouble remembering new information because the disease typically impacts the part of the brain associated with learning first.
As Alzheimers advances, symptoms get more severe and include disorientation, confusion, and behavior changes. Eventually, speaking, swallowing, and walking becomes difficult. There is no way to prevent, cure, or even slow Alzheimers disease.
Though the greatest known risk factorfor Alzheimers is increasing age, the disease is not a normal part of aging. And though most people with Alzheimers are 65 and older, approximately 200,000 Americans under 65 have younger-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Help and support are available
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or another dementia, you are not alone. The Alzheimer's Association is the trusted resource for reliable information, education, referral, and support to millions of people affected by the disease.

Find out more information by clicking herehttps://www.seniorsbluebook.com/senior-resources/alzheimers-association-salt-lake-city-ut-2

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