Dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease

Dementia:

  • Dementia is a syndrome where there is weakening in remembrance, thinking, conduct and the capability to perform daily events.
  • Even though dementia mostly affects older people, it is not a usual stage of ageing.
  • Globally, about 50 million people have dementia and approximately 10 million new cases annually.
  • Alzheimer disease is the most occurring type of dementia and might leads to 60–70% of cases.
  • Dementia is one of the main causes of infirmity and dependency amongst older people globally.
  • Dementia has a physical, emotional, social, and financial effect, not simply on people with dementia, however also on their livelihoods, relations and the social order.

Alzheimer’s Disease:

  • Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive ailment that causes brain cells to become emaciated (degenerate) and perish.
  • Alzheimer’s disease is the most communal source of dementia — a constant debility in thinking, social and collective skills that interrupts an individual’s capability to function individualistically.
  • The prompt signs of the disease can be dis-remembering current events or discussions.
  • As the disease grows, a person with Alzheimer’s disease will progress severe memorial diminishing and be unable to find the capability to perform routine errands.
    • Recent Alzheimer’s disease treatments might provisionally develop symptoms or slow the rate of degeneration. These cures can at times aid people with Alzheimer’s disease exploit function and uphold freedom for a time.
  • Alzheimer’s disease lacks treatment and cure or modifies the disease progression in the brain.
  • In progressive stages of the disease, difficulties from severe damage of brain function — such as dehydration, malnourishment or contamination — cause death.
    • Diverse programs and facilities can aid support to people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

Differences between Dementia and Alzheimer’s:

Basis of difference Dementia Alzheimer’s
Definition and introduction Dementia is a brain related disorder caused by diseases and other conditions. Alzheimer’s is a most common type of dementia.
It is the term for a group of brain ailments that marks it difficult to recall, think visibly, make choices, or even control own sentiments. It is the most familiar kind of dementia. Around 60% to 80% of people who have dementia have Alzheimer’s.
Dementia is not objectively regarding simple memory issue — similar to disremembering somebody’s. A person with dementia has a tough time with at least two of the following:

  • Remembrance
  • Communication and talking
  • Attention and deliberation
  • Intellectual and conclusion
  • Visual insight

 

It is a progressive disorder, which indicates it change to worse above time, and it frequently distresses people over 65 years old. There is presently certainly no treatment.
Age of occurrence It can occur at any stage of time It usually takes place during old age.
Causes Different diseases like stroke, thyroid issues, vitamin deficiencies, side effect of medicines, brain tumors etc. that affect the brain causes dementia. The main cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown. However, ‘amyloid cascade hypothesis’ is the most widely discussed causes of it.
Disease/syndrome Dementia is not a disease it is a syndrome. Alzheimer’s is a disease.
 

Classification/Types

There are several categories of dementia:

a) Vascular dementia- This includes deprivation of oxygen to the brain that leads to nerve cells destruction.

b) Lewy Body Dementia­- This includes anomalous structures – Lewy bodies – developed in the brain and leads to the loss of nerve cell

c) Frontotemporal Dementia- where masses of anomalous protein form in anterior, lateral parts of the brain, and leads to the death of nerve cells.

d) Mixed dementia- where somebody has additional type of dementia and a mixture of warning signs.

 

    Absence of types
Reversibility Some forms of dementia are temporary, reversible and can be cured with proper and timely medication Alzheimer’s is a terminal disease which cannot be cured or reversed. However, there can be symptomatic treatment and supportive measures.
Diagnosis Certain forms of dementia share alike signs, that can be difficult for a physician to diagnose the actual type of dementia that the patient is suffering. Therefore, it is important to be certain about all signs, medicines, alcohol practice, and earlier illnesses to choose the correct analysis. A physician cannot be completely certain that a person has Alzheimer’s. However, there are things he can do undeniably.

They contain tests of patient’s responsiveness, remembrance, linguistic, and visualization, and viewing at descriptions of the brain. These pictures are made available with an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), which practices potent electromagnets and radio waves to create comprehensive pictures.

When does it happen? It happens when there is group of brain disorder It ensues when proteins (called plaques) and fibers (called tangles) backlog in brain, obstruct nerve signs, and terminate nerve cells. Memory loss might be minor at first, but symptoms turn out to be poor over time.
Symptoms Maximum shared symptoms contain:

  • Anxiety and distress
  • Low mood
  • Dispassion and unconcern
  • Recapping the similar questions
  • Obsession
  • Sleep Troubles
  • Walking around for no specious motive
  • Issues with memory, focus and attention
  • Issues with reasoning and judgement
Symptoms extra detailed to Alzheimer’s disease contain:

  • Struggle recalling past happenings
  • Trouble memorizing new information
  • Personality fluctuations, such as becoming more violent or suspicious
  • Stubborn low mood
  • Trouble absorbing, talking, or walking

 

Treatment There is no treatment for dementia, and existing treatments cannot treat the loss. Treatment opportunities vary depending on the type of dementia. Treatment for Alzheimer’s disease include targeting to get rid of symptoms. It might contain:

  • Treatments for memory loss
  • Suppositories for behavioral modifications or melancholy
  • Cognitive training
  • Sleep assistance
Other causes Several illnesses can cause dementia, comprising deteriorating diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s. Every cause of dementia leads to impairment to a diverse set of brain cells. Alzheimer’s disease is accountable for approximately 50 to 70 percent of all cases of dementia.

References and For More Information:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/symptoms-causes/syc-20350447

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

https://www.healthline.com/health/alzheimers-disease/difference-dementia-alzheimers#outlook

https://www.beingpatient.com/difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimers/

https://www.webmd.com/alzheimers/guide/alzheimers-and-dementia-whats-the-difference#1

https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/blog/what-difference-between-dementia-and-alzheimers-disease

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323283.php

About Kusum Wagle 216 Articles
Hello and greetings everyone! I am Kusum Wagle, MPH, WHO-TDR Scholar, BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health, Bangladesh. I have gained profound experiences in public health sector under different thematic areas of health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, research etc., targeting diverse audience of different age groups. I have performed diverse roles ranging from lecturer in the public health department of colleges, nutrition coordinator, research coordinator and consultant, in different programs, projects and academic institutions of Nepal. I also hold immense experience in working closely and persistently with government organizations, non-government organizations, UN agencies, CSOs and other stakeholders at the national and sub-national level. I have successfully led and coordinated different projects involving multi-sector participation and engagement. Moreover, I am also regularly involved in the development of different national health related programs and its guidelines.