Often people confuse the term “Dementia” with “Alzheimer’s.” “Dementia” is a term which describes the symptom of a disease. Having dementia does not automatically mean that someone has Alzheimer’s disease. It is the loss of memory and other intellectual abilities which are serious enough to interfere with everyday life.
The most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Between 50% and 75% of all people with dementia have Alzheimer’s Disease. The Alzheimer’s Association estimates 5.3 million Americans are afflicted with this disease.
Vascular Dementia, characterized by a reduction of blood flow to certain areas of the brain, is the second most common form of dementia. Symptoms of Vascular Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are very similar, and often occur together. This is also known as “Mixed Dementia.”
Lewy Bodies Dementia is a type of dementia characterized by problems with attention and alertness, and visual hallucinations, muscle rigidity and tremors. These muscle-related symptoms are very similar to those typical of individuals with Parkinson’s disease.
Fronto-Temporal Dementia (FTD) or Pick’s Disease are extremely rare and are very difficult to distinguish from Alzheimer’s Disease. However, there are often are changes in personality before the memory loss occurs which are good indicators of these diseases.
There are other reasons for a person to have dementia that may not necessarily be indicative of a “disease.” These can include depression, the side effects of certain medications, excessive use of alcohol, thyroid problems, having a poor diet or vitamin deficiency, and certain kinds of infections.
When trying to determine the cause of a person’s dementia, doctors use many tools. In addition to a thorough physical exam which includes blood and urine tests, they may also complete an assessment of the individual’s mental status, which tests short term memory, the ability to follow instructions, and problem-solving skills. A neurological exams test speech, balance, coordination and reflexes. Additionally, doctors use imaging tests, such as CT Scans, MRIs and PET scans to rule out other causes for the dementia, including tumors or strokes.
While no single test can prove conclusively that a person has Alzheimer’s Disease, early diagnosis and treatment methods are improving daily. If you or a loved one are experiencing significant memory problems, it is important to see a physician for testing as soon as possible. For more information on this topic, contact the Alzheimer’s Association.
