#Alzheimers #dementia #whats #difference
According to estimates by the German Alzheimer Society, around 1.8 million people in Germany live with dementia. But not all of these people have the same clinical picture. Because dementia is a Generic term for various diseases that are associated with a disruption in brain performance.
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Alzheimer’s is one of these disorders. Two thirds of all people with dementia have Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia worldwide. According to the Health Knowledge Foundation, the so-called vascular dementia is second most common form of dementia worldwide, which occurs in 15 percent of all dementia sufferers. Another form of dementia is frontotemporal dementia, for example US actor Bruce Willis is ill.
But whether Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia or frontotemporal dementia: “We speak of dementia when the symptoms are so clear that they severely affect the everyday life of those affected,” says Susanna Saxl-Reisen from the German Alzheimer’s Society.
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Short-term memory impairment in the initial phase
There are some differences between Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia in terms of progression, clinical picture and other areas, but there are also similarities. There are also mixed forms of the two diseases – these mainly occur in older sufferers, says Saxl-Reisen.
“At the beginning of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, memory disorders are particularly noticeable; in vascular dementia, it is more of a disturbance in attention,” explains Saxl-Reisen. There are also often difficulties finding words and disorientation – which later lead to symptoms that are so severe that they affect the everyday life of those affected.
“All dementias look pretty similar over time – the longer the disease progresses, the more similar the accompanying symptoms become,” explains Saxl-Reisen. This could also include symptoms such as personality changes.
Alzheimer’s disease can be diagnosed early
Despite similarities: Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia are two different diseases – with different causes. The cause of Alzheimer’s has not yet been fully researched. What is known, however, is that in Alzheimer’s disease, abnormal protein deposits form in the brain. This is accompanied by the death of nerve cells. This causes certain areas of the brain to shrink.
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According to the German Alzheimer Society, the biggest risk factor for the development of Alzheimer’s is age. But according to Saxl Reisen, the protein deposits form very early in the course of the disease. “The changes in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients occur long before those affected notice symptoms of the disease,” says Saxl-Reisen. It could take up to 20 years before symptoms of the disease are actually noticed.
In vascular dementia, the cause of the disease is clear: circulatory disorders damage the brain. In many cases, the walls of small blood vessels thicken. This prevents deep structures of the brain from being supplied with blood, according to the German Alzheimer Society. The circulatory problems lead to the death of nerve cells. High blood pressure is therefore the most important risk factor for this form of vascular dementia.
Immune system severely damaged in dementia
But dementia doesn’t just have consequences for mental abilities. As the disease progresses, physical limitations also occur. This can initially include difficulty moving, for example, but later on it can also lead to life-threatening swallowing problems. In addition, the immune system is also severely damaged in advanced phases of the disease, says Saxl-Reisen: “People don’t die of dementia.” Rather, in most cases, pneumonia is the cause of death for dementia patients.
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The expert therefore urgently recommends taking symptoms that indicate dementia seriously. “Everyone forgets something sometimes, that’s completely normal,” says Saxl-Reisen. However, anyone who notices symptoms in themselves or relatives or friends over a long period of time should definitely discuss this with a doctor. “Only 50 percent of all people suffering from dementia receive a diagnosis,” says Saxl-Reisen. And of those people, only about 10 percent received an early diagnosis. “That doesn’t have to be the case.” Because if you receive a timely diagnosis, you can still counteract the disease.
In the case of vascular dementia, for example, the underlying causes can be treated – for example by treating high blood pressure. And there are also medications for Alzheimer’s that can delay the progression. “If you get an early diagnosis, you can extend your life,” says Saxl-Reisen. You can also influence the course of the disease with physical and mental activity as well as a healthy diet.
We updated this article on January 30, 2024.
