"Our mom/dad is getting a little older now, and she's not as forgetful as she used to be..." This story may be familiar to you. Sometimes, forgetting small things like where the keys are or someone's name is a normal part of aging. But if this forgetfulness gradually increases and reaches a point where we can't do our daily tasks, we should be a little concerned about it. Because, it can be a symptom of a disease called dementia. So today, let's talk about these two conditions called dementia and Alzheimer's.
First of all, what is dementia?
Simply put, dementia is not a specific disease. It is an umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of conditions that affect the way our brain functions, especially those that impair memory, thinking, reasoning, and decision-making.
To be diagnosed with dementia, someone must have something beyond normal forgetfulness. Typically, they must have significant impairment in at least two of the following abilities:
- Memory: Forgetting recent events and conversations.
- Communication and speech: Difficulty finding words, forgetting what you wanted to say while talking.
- Attention and concentration: Difficulty staying focused on one thing.
- Reasoning and judgment: Difficulty making decisions, inability to plan.
- Visual perception: Sometimes seeing things that are not there (hallucinations), inability to distinguish colors.
Because these symptoms are so similar, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what type of dementia your loved one has. So when you go to see your doctor, it's important to be clear about all your symptoms, medications, alcohol use, and any previous illnesses.
So what is Alzheimer's disease?
Alzheimer's disease is the most common condition under the umbrella term dementia that we discussed earlier. Between 60% and 80% of people with dementia have Alzheimer's disease. It is a progressive condition that gets worse over time. It usually affects people over the age of 65. There is currently no cure for the disease. However, there are treatments that can help control symptoms and maintain a good quality of life.
Alzheimer's disease is caused by abnormal protein deposits called 'plaques' between the nerve cells in our brains, and tangles called 'tangles' inside the nerve cells. Like a traffic jam on a busy road, these deposits block the flow of messages between nerve cells, eventually leading to the death of the nerve cells.
It is the nature of this disease that, although memory loss may be mild at first, symptoms gradually worsen over time.
Common symptoms of Alzheimer's disease:
- Forgetting people's names, events, and conversations.
- Difficulty concentrating.
- Personality changes: loss of interest in things you used to enjoy, suspicious of others, aggressiveness.
- Mood changes and depression.
- Impaired judgment and decision-making ability.
- Confusion.
Over time, it becomes difficult to hold a normal conversation or even perform everyday tasks. While a doctor cannot say with 100% certainty that it is Alzheimer's, brain imaging tests such as MRI scans and tests that measure things like memory, attention, and language can provide a fairly accurate diagnosis.
Other main types of dementia
Aside from Alzheimer's, there are several other conditions that fall into the dementia category. It's also important to be aware of these.
| Type of dementia | Key features and important points |
|---|---|
| Vascular Dementia | This is the second most common type. It is caused by blockage or damage to the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. It is similar to what happens when a water pipe is blocked in a tree. Memory loss is not the first symptom, as in Alzheimer's. Instead, problems with planning and poor decision-making may be the first symptoms. |
| Dementia with Lewy bodies | This condition is caused by the buildup of abnormal protein clumps called Lewy bodies in the brain's nerve cells. Hallucinations, sleep problems, and Parkinson's-like jerky, uncoordinated movements are the first symptoms. Memory loss occurs as the disease progresses. |
| Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) | This destroys nerve cells in the front and side parts of the brain. Therefore, it mainly affects personality and behavior. A person can suddenly become very aggressive, forget how to behave in society. Language problems also occur. It can usually start at a younger age than Alzheimer's (around 60 years old). |
| Other rare varieties | There are also very rare, genetic forms of dementia, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and Huntington's disease , which can become more severe very quickly. |
How are the treatments?
There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease or most types of dementia. Doctors focus primarily on managing symptoms, slowing the progression of the disease, and giving the patient a good quality of life for as long as possible.
There are several treatment methods:
- Medications for memory loss: There are medications that can help control memory loss in Alzheimer's and some types of dementia.
- Medications for behavioral and mental changes: Medications given to control things like depression, aggression, and restlessness.
- Medications for sleep problems: Helps with discomfort caused by changes in sleep patterns.
- Treating other causes: Sometimes, dementia symptoms can be caused by treatable conditions, such as vitamin B12 deficiency or excess fluid on the brain (hydrocephalus). In these cases, treating the underlying cause may reduce or even eliminate the symptoms. This is why it is so important to get an accurate diagnosis early on.
Things to remember when living with someone with dementia
If someone in your family has this condition, communicating with them can be a bit challenging, but it's important to be patient and understanding.
- Don't talk about them in front of them: Avoid talking about their illness in front of them, thinking they won't understand. Include them in the conversation too.
- Don't ask, "Do you remember...?": That question can make them uncomfortable. If they don't remember something, it's better to change the subject than to try to remind them.
- Don't argue: Even if what they say is wrong, don't confuse them further by arguing about it. Speak calmly and gently.
- Don't interrupt them: Listen patiently when they speak, even if it takes a while to find the words.
This condition can be mentally and physically exhausting for the patient, as well as for you to take care of them. Therefore, it is very important to think about your health as well. If necessary, see a doctor for advice.
Take-Home Message
- Dementia is a general term for a number of diseases that affect brain function. Alzheimer's is the most common type.
- It's normal to forget small things as you get older. But if your memory, thinking, and behavior change to the point where you can't function in your daily life, don't ignore it.
- Because these symptoms are similar, it is important to get an accurate diagnosis. For this, seek the advice of a qualified doctor.
- Although there is no complete cure for most types of dementia, there are treatments that can control symptoms and maintain a high quality of life.
- Early detection of the disease can help you get treatment and plan for the future. So don't be afraid, and if you have any doubts, talk to a doctor.
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