Created by Dr Sabina Brennan with funding from GENIO - if you would like to support the development of more films like this please contact trinitybrainhealth@gmail.com
These films aim to address your fears about memory loss and dementia and provide practical advice about brain health.
For more visit freedemliving.com
Korean subtitles courtesy of Misook Ahn.
Spanish subtitles courtesy of José Ignacio Marsá Valdovinos.
Dutch subtitles courtesy of Mirjam Schepens.
Basque subtitles courtesy of Unai Diaz.
French subtitles courtesy of Jacques Gatard and Jennifer David.
Italian subtitles courtesy of Valentina Gigliucci and Simona Salamone.
German subtitles courtesy of Jean Maples.
What Is the Difference between Alzheimer's disease And Dementia?
Perhaps you've been confused by these terms in the past or mistakenly taught they were the same thing? Well you wouldn't be alone because knowing the difference between Alzheimer's disease and Dementia can be tricky. But it's actually not too hard to understand.
In a nut shell, it's like the difference between shortness of breath and asthma. Shortness of breath is not a specific disease, it can happen to anyone and has many different causes and asthma is just one of them.
Likewise, dementia is not one specific disease. It is a combination of symptoms that has many different causes including Alzheimer's disease.
Still confused? Think of it like this- You go to your doctor with shortness of breath to find the cause she listens to your chest to see if it's due to asthma or pneumonia. And then she checks your heart to see if your breathlessness is caused by heart failure or a very rapid heartbeat. She even asks if you've been worried because your breathing difficulty could be anxiety related. After her examinations she concludes that your shortness of breath is actually a nut allergy.
Similarly when dealing with dementia your doctor needs to figure out the underlying cause and whilst Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia it is not the only one. Dementia can also be caused by vascular changes in the brain, Parkinson disease, Lewy body disease, vitamin deficiencies, thyroid gland problems, chronic brain infections or medications. Even a very deep depression can look like dementia. Which means if someone you love has dementia, it doesn't necessarily mean that they have Alzheimer's disease.
This is very important for your doctor to establish because some causes of dementia such as infection, medication reactions an underactive thyroid gland and vitamin deficiencies can be reversible with the right treatment. So figuring out the cause and plan of action could improve your quality of life and that's why if you or a loved one have the symptoms of dementia, you need to see your doctor to find out the underlying cause.
Cúal es la Diferencia entre Alzheimer y Demencia?
Zein da Alzheimer eta Dementziaren arteko desberdintasuna?
Quelle différence y-a-t-il entre la maladie d’Alzheimer et la démence?
Qual è la differenza tra Alzheimer e demenza?
Wat is het verschil tussen de ziekte van Alzheimer en dementie?
알츠하이머병과 치매의 차이는 무엇인가요?
Was ist der Unterschied zwischen Alzheimer und Demenz?
