What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?

Dementia describes symptoms that broadly affect a person’s cognitive functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Depending on the type and cause, dementia can affect someone’s:
memory
thinking and focus
problem-solving abilities
language use
visual perception
Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia. It involves progressive damage to brain cells, resulting in memory loss and a decline in other aspects of thinking.
This article looks at the types of dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease, and the symptoms and treatment options associated with both.
What is dementia?
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Dementia describes a collection of symptoms with no specific cause. It can affect a wide range of mental functions. Many different conditions have links with dementia.
dementia
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. One review indicates that around 70% of people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are other types and causes, including:
Alzheimer’s disease
most common
70%
including
vascular dementia, which results from stroke and other conditions that block blood flow to the brain
vascular dementia
stroke
Lewy body dementia, which is a result of unusual protein deposits in the brain
Lewy body dementia
frontotemporal disorders, which are due to damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain
frontotemporal disorders
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Huntington’s disease
Huntington’s disease
chronic traumatic encephalopathy due to repeated traumatic brain injury
traumatic brain injury
Some factors and conditions can trigger symptoms that resemble those of dementia. These include:
the use of and interactions between some drugs
some drugs
deficiencies in vitamin B12 and possibly vitamin D
vitamin B12
possibly vitamin D
high alcohol consumption
alcohol
traumatic head injury
thyroid, kidney, or liver problems
depression, anxiety, or stress
depression
anxiety
stress
It is possible to have multiple types of dementia. The term for this is mixed dementia.
mixed dementia
As a person’s condition progresses, they may need help reading or understanding information regarding their circumstances. This article contains details that may help caregivers identify and monitor symptom progression, side effects of drugs, or other factors relating to the person’s condition.
The cause depends on the type, but the exact causes of many forms of dementia are currently unclear.
Dementia is not an inevitable part of aging, but age is one of the main risk factors. Roughly one-third of people ages 85 years and older may have a type of dementia. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, 5% of people ages 65 to 74 years, 13.2% of people ages 75 to 84 years, and 33.4% of people ages 85 years or older have Alzheimer’s.
one-third
Alzheimer’s Association
It is possible to develop dementia at a younger age, but the condition is more common among older adults.
Learn more about the symptoms of dementia in older adults.
symptoms of dementia in older adults
The symptoms of dementia range in severity, and they also vary depending on the area of the brain that the condition affects. Typically, early signs on the condition highlight a slow decline in memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. The Alzheimer’s Society states the most common symptoms include:
slow decline
Alzheimer’s Society
memory loss
difficulty concentrating
difficulty with language and communication
misunderstanding what a person sees
confusion
changes in mood or difficulty controlling emotions
Symptoms can take time to appear, and significant damage may occur before a person visits a doctor. This may make treatment more challenging.
Learn more about the early signs of dementia.
the early signs of dementia
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. Although it can be difficult to distinguish from other types of dementia, the causes and characteristic symptoms of Alzheimer’s can allow health experts to differentiate it.
In Alzheimer’s disease, researchers believe that a buildup of unusual proteins, known as amyloid and tau, forms plaques and tangles in the brain and causes symptoms.
amyloid and tau
causes symptoms
These proteins surround brain cells and can affect their ability to communicate. This eventually causes damage to the cells until they can no longer function.
Learn about the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease causes specific symptoms because of the areas of the brain it affects. Early signs and symptoms include difficulty remembering things and confusion.
signs and symptoms
confusion
In time, a person may also experience:
disorientation
mood and behavioral changes
confusion about times, places, and events
unfounded suspicions about people around them
difficulty using and understanding words
physical problems, such as difficulty swallowing and walking
To discover more evidence-based information and resources for Alzheimer’s and dementia, visit our dedicated hub.
our dedicated hub
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease treatment
There is currently no cure for dementia, and current treatments cannot reverse the damage. However, if symptoms arise due to vitamin deficiencies or drug use, there may be options to prevent the condition from progressing.
Other treatment options depend on the type of dementia.
Treatments for Alzheimer’s disease aim to relieve symptoms and could involve:
could involve
taking medications
ensuring personal comfort and safety
having exposure to sunlight and getting regular exercise, which can help with sleep
undergoing cognitive training or cognitive rehabilitation therapy to help develop habits that help manage daily life
Some drugs aim to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, while others help manage related issues, such as sleep problems, anxiety, or other symptoms. The person and their caregiver will need to work with a doctor to find suitable treatments at each stage.
Some drugs
Some lifestyle strategies that contribute to overall health and may help prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia include:
lifestyle strategies
taking regular exercise
managing high blood pressure
high blood pressure
not smoking
preventing other health conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease,
diabetes
heart disease
Read on to learn more about Medicare and dementia care.
Medicare and dementia care
Outlook
Many types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, are progressive conditions. This means that signs and symptoms of the condition may be relatively mild at first but worsen with time. However, dementia affects everyone differently and the rates of progression vary widely.
progressive
There is currently no cure, but treatment may help manage the symptoms.
The outlook for people with dementia depends on the cause. According to a 2022 review, a person who receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 65 years will live, on average, another 4–8 years. However, some people live up to 20 years after symptoms first appear.
4–8 years
Learn more about life expectancy with dementia.
life expectancy with dementia
Frequently asked questions
Some FAQs about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia may include:
Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability. It describes conditions that impact a person’s ability to think, remember, or make decisions. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia.
Dementia is an overarching term describing symptoms that affect thinking. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for most types of dementia. A doctor may be able to differentiate Alzheimer’s disease from other types of dementia due to its characteristic features of progressive memory loss and cognitive decline.
Each type of dementia has distinct causes and characteristics. For example, health experts understand that a buildup of two substances inside the brain, known as amyloid and tau, can result in Alzheimer’s. However, vascular dementia occurs due to problems with the blood supply to parts of the brain.
Living with dementia lowers a person’s life expectancy. Many different factors can influence how long a person may live with dementia, such as the type of dementia and their general health. After a diagnosis of dementia, a person typically lives approximately 4 to 8 more years, although some people live much longer than this.
Dementia affects people in different ways. As such, it is very difficult to predict how quickly a person’s dementia may progress. The rate of progression can vary depending on genetics, age, overall health, and the type of dementia they have.
However, health experts note that dementia generally progresses through three stages: early, middle, and late. Identifying a person’s stage can help shape treatment plans and options.
Summary
Dementia is a condition that affects a person’s ability to think. Specifically, it can impact their memory, reasoning, mood, and other features. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but there are various types and causes. Treatment will depend on the cause but it may involve medications and certain lifestyle strategies.
Read on to learn more about caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease.
caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease