You may have heard the terms ‘dementia’ or ‘Alzheimer’s disease.’ You may be wondering, “what exactly do those terms mean?”, “what is the difference?” or “what causes them?”
Types of Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of brain conditions. These conditions cause changes in the brain which
lead a wide range of symptoms. Symptoms can include changes in memory, thinking, behaviour and
perceptions. These changes are caused by damage to the brain. Brain damage can affect a person’s ability to
perform daily activities.
There are many types of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common. More than 50% of people with
Alzheimer’s disease have another type of dementia at the same time. This is called Mixed Dementia.
To read more about the types of dementia: Click Here
Genetics
There are two forms of Alzheimer’s disease: Familial and Sporadic.
Familial:
- This type is hereditary. This means Alzheimer’s disease can be passed from a parent to their child.
- Familial Alzheimer’s disease usually occurs at younger ages.
- Fewer than 5% of all Alzheimer’s cases are familial.
Sporadic:
- Sporadic Alzheimer’s disease has no specific genetic link. It is not hereditary.
- Most cases of Alzheimer’s disease are sporadic.
- Many factors make it more likely for someone to develop sporadic Alzheimer’s disease. For example:
- The most common risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease is age. But keep in mind, Alzheimer’s is not consequence of normal aging.
- Other factors include smoking, obesity, and lack of exercise.
- To learn more about the science of dementia: click
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Symptoms
Symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease will get worse over time. New symptoms will appear as the disease spreads in
the brain.
The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease can differ between people. The first symptom is usually
memory loss, particularly of recent events. The person may have trouble remembering new
information.
Other common symptoms are:
- Difficulty planning or reasoning
- Language problems
- Apathy and loss of motivation
- Challenges recognizing objects
- Poor sense of direction
- Changes in social skills, personality, and/or mood
A person living with Alzheimer’s disease may or may not be aware of changes in their abilities. Reminding
them of their symptoms can be upsetting. When someone has symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, try not to correct or blame them. Understanding symptoms can be key to coping. To learn more about behaviour changes and how to connect with the person, Click Here
Diagnosis
The doctor must first rule out other causes of symptoms. There is no single test to detect
Alzheimer’s disease. Instead, experts use a combination of tests. This can include tests of mental
abilities and brain scans. Tests of mental abilities can show symptoms and their severity. Brain
scans can show the location of brain damage.
Getting a diagnosis can take time. It is best to express concerns to a doctor early so that they can track changes
in symptoms.
More Information and Resources
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