Are Alzheimer’s and Dementia the same?

Dementia and Alzheimer’s are different conditions, but they are related. Dementia is a term used to describe a group of symptoms that can occur with different medical conditions. Because Alzheimer’s patients account for about 80% of dementia cases, sometimes there is confusion about whether the two conditions are the same.

Dementia is a set of symptoms that can occur as a part of a handful of other medical conditions. Some of these other medical conditions are:

• Parkinson’s Disease
• Traumatic brain injury or TBI
• Vitamin deficiencies

Dementia symptoms may include:

• Difficulty communicating
• Trouble reasoning
• Issues handling complex tasks
• Problems with motor function or coordination
• Confusion and disorientation
• Problems with memory and memory loss
• Irritation and agitation
• Anxiety
• Paranoid behaviors and thoughts
• Changes in personality
• Hallucinations
• Inappropriate behavior

Damage to brain cells that causes difficulty in how the cells communicate with one another results in problems with thinking, emotions, and behavior. The cause of dementia determines which parts of the brain are affected, which impacts what symptoms may be more prominent.

As there is no single test for dementia, doctors use a full medical history, blood test, physical examination, and behavioral assessments to determine a diagnosis. They may also talk with friends and family members affected to get more information about the patient’s condition.

Alzheimer’s is thought to be the result of the buildup of proteins around and in brain cells. These proteins are thought to build up and deposit like a plaque, resulting in Alzheimer’s. The symptoms of this disease are:

• Errors in judgment leading to poor choices
• Memory problems and loss
• Taking longer to finish normal tasks
• Repeating phrases and questions
• Difficulty keeping track of things once easily managed, like paying bills
• Getting lost in familiar places
• Losing things easily
• Mood changes
• Anxiety and irritability
• Personality changes

It’s easy to see how there can be confusion surrounding these two conditions since dementia can occur as a symptom of Alzheimer’s and the symptoms of each are very similar. If you have concerns about a loved one or yourself after experiencing any symptoms from the lists here, talk with your doctor. Your regular doctor may refer you to a specialist for the best care and evaluation. The Alzheimer’s Association Helpline is an excellent 24-hour resource for those concerned about Alzheimer’s at 1-800-272-3900.