| Dementia and Alzheimer's disease may share | | | | dementia progresses, mood swings and other |
| common symptoms but there is a marked | | | | disruptive behaviors may become apparent. The |
| difference between these two problems of | | | | person who has dementia may not be aware of |
| aging. Everyone as they age may lose their | | | | these problems. |
| keys and may have some problems remembering | | | | |
| facts and figures. For many older Americans, | | | | Some of the signs or symptoms of dementia may |
| this is a common sign of aging. Dementia is | | | | include: |
| a serious brain disorder that covers a wide | | | | |
| spectrum of cognitive problems while | | | | - Problems with memory |
| Alzheimer's disease has unique physical and | | | | |
| brain conditions that other dementia | | | | - Problem with orientation |
| disorders do not share. | | | | |
| | | | - Having difficulty making plans |
| Dementia is a common problem in the elderly | | | | |
| population. It is estimated that as many as | | | | - Difficulty with dressing |
| four million Americans live with some degree | | | | |
| of dementia. The symptoms of dementia can be | | | | - Difficulty with common tasks, |
| described as a collection of symptoms that | | | | |
| indicate that the thinking process is | | | | - Making a phone call, |
| deteriorating. | | | | |
| | | | - Using cooking utensil |
| These symptoms affect the individual in a | | | | |
| variety of ways but they all the symptoms of | | | | - Difficulty performing simple math problems |
| dementia have a devastating affect on the | | | | |
| quality of life. Individuals suffering from | | | | - Difficulty with language |
| dementia lose some of their ability to carry | | | | |
| out daily activities. One effect of the | | | | Dementia-like symptoms can also develop as a |
| disease is that a key brain chemical | | | | result of other lifestyle condition, such as |
| acetylcholine is lost. The loss of this | | | | alcohol or substance abuse, vitamin |
| important chemical can contribute to some of | | | | deficiency and certain infectious diseases. |
| the symptoms of both dementia and | | | | Although Alzheimer's Disease accounts for |
| Alzheimer's. | | | | nearly 60 percent of all dementia cases; all |
| | | | cases of dementia are not Alzheimer's. |
| Acetylcholine is produced in several | | | | |
| locations in the brain including the basal | | | | Alzheimer's disease is a unique brain |
| forebrain. It thought that this chemical | | | | disorder that affects the parts of the brain |
| promotes learning. Acetylcholine-producing | | | | that control thought, memory and language. |
| cells in the basal forebrain are damaged in | | | | Alzheimer's usually begins after age 60. |
| the early stages of Alzheimer's disease, | | | | |
| which are believed to contribute to the loss | | | | It is important to classify the type of |
| of memory which are an early symptom of the | | | | dementia that the patient is experiencing. |
| disease. | | | | An appointment with a health care specialist |
| | | | to confirm a specific diagnosis. Some forms |
| Dementia is also caused by the destruction of | | | | of dementia can be successfully treated with |
| brain cells. The destruction may be caused by | | | | drugs. Once the patient and the family |
| a head injury, a stroke, or a brain tumor. | | | | understand what is causing the dementia-like |
| Some people have a family history of | | | | symptom, a treatment plan to address the |
| dementia. Dementia may also change a | | | | root cause can be put in place. |
| person's mood and personality. As the | | | | |