Alzheimer’s disease and Dementia are two entirely different things

Many of us still interchange Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. It can be a little confusing, especially since they’re both related to memory loss and the deterioration of our cognitive abilities, but this can be easily remedied with a short explanation.

In essence, dementia is an overall term used to categorize a group of symptoms and has no definitive diagnosis. This means it is not a disease, but rather a syndrome that has a negative effect on our cognition. At least 47.6 million people are diagnosed with dementia globally.

There’s a chance that a person can have more than one type of dementia and we call this condition “mixed dementia.” This, however, can only be confirmed through an autopsy. Dementia has raised alarms many times before since it is one of the most common causes of disability for older people.

Meanwhile, Alzheimer’s disease is a common mental health condition that falls under the dementia umbrella. About 50 to 70 percent of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s. It is considered to be a progressive disease which causes memory impairment and a decline in our ability to process and understand knowledge. Five million people in the U.S. alone have Alzheimer’s disease and the number continues to grow.

Some reports include younger people as victims of this disease; however, it is more prevalent in people aged 60 and above. Although the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is accurate 90 percent of the time, the truth is, it cannot be confirmed unless health experts place a patient’s brain under the microscope.

Cure for Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Since they both affect the brain, Alzheimer’s and dementia can cause problems such as a decline in thinking skills, difficulty in remembering things, and difficulty in communication, but despite some commonalities, the two differ in terms of a cure.

Dementia, since it has many possible causes, is reversible. Some of its forms, like drug interaction or vitamin deficiency, can be temporary. These types of diagnosis can be cured with the right treatment and proper counseling.

Unfortunately, it’s not the same for Alzheimer’s disease since it is both degenerative and incurable.

Awareness is really important

Whether you’re worried about yourself or have a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia, it is very important to know exactly what you’re dealing with. Aside from it being a good idea to finally discover the difference between the two, it’s even better to have an idea on how to properly address these health conditions and learn from experts.

Joining the Alzheimer’s and Dementia Summit is the best way to raise your awareness on these issues. Hosted by Jonathan Landsman, the online event starts on July 23 until July 29, 2018. Be part of an in-depth discussion, hear meaningful testimonials, and gain more knowledge at zero cost by registering now. The summit will surely be a great, exciting, and more importantly, educational health talk you don’t want to miss.