The first survivor of Alzheimer's is out there, but we won't get there without you. If this occurs, it may be necessary to see a specialist such as a neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist or geriatrician. In some cases, a doctor may diagnose "dementia" and not specify a type.
But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. While most changes in the brain that cause dementia are permanent and worsen over time, thinking and memory problems caused by the following conditions may improve when the condition is treated or addressed: That's why memory loss is often one of the earliest symptoms of Alzheimer's.
The brain region called the hippocampus is the center of learning and memory in the brain, and the brain cells in this region are often the first to be damaged. For example, in Alzheimer's disease, high levels of certain proteins inside and outside brain cells make it hard for brain cells to stay healthy and to communicate with each other. Take the Courseĭifferent types of dementia are associated with particular types of brain cell damage in particular regions of the brain. Understanding Alzheimer's and Dementia outlines the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, symptoms, stages, risk factors and more.
When cells in a particular region are damaged, that region cannot carry out its functions normally. The brain has many distinct regions, each of which is responsible for different functions (for example, memory, judgment and movement). When brain cells cannot communicate normally, thinking, behavior and feelings can be affected. This damage interferes with the ability of brain cells to communicate with each other. Learn more: 10 Warning Signs, Stages of Alzheimer's Causesĭementia is caused by damage to brain cells. It also provides time to plan for the future. And even if symptoms suggest dementia, early diagnosis allows a person to get the maximum benefit from available treatments and provides an opportunity to volunteer for clinical trials or studies.
Temporary amnesia causes professional#
Professional evaluation may detect a treatable condition. See a doctor soon to determine the cause. If you or someone you know is experiencing memory difficulties or other changes in thinking skills, don't ignore them. Many conditions are progressive, which means that the signs of dementia start out slowly and gradually get worse. Learn the Signs Symptoms and signs of dementia Learn more: Common Types of Dementia, What is Alzheimer's?įind out how typical age-related memory loss compares to early signs of Alzheimer's and other dementias. There are many other conditions that can cause symptoms of dementia, including some that are reversible, such as thyroid problems and vitamin deficiencies.ĭementia is often incorrectly referred to as "senility" or "senile dementia," which reflects the formerly widespread but incorrect belief that serious mental decline is a normal part of aging. Those who experience the brain changes of multiple types of dementia simultaneously have mixed dementia. Vascular dementia, which occurs because of microscopic bleeding and blood vessel blockage in the brain, is the second most common cause of dementia. They also affect behavior, feelings and relationships.Īlzheimer's disease accounts for 60-80% of cases. These changes trigger a decline in thinking skills, also known as cognitive abilities, severe enough to impair daily life and independent function. Disorders grouped under the general term “dementia” are caused by abnormal brain changes. Dementia is not a single disease it’s an overall term - like heart disease - that covers a wide range of specific medical conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease.
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