HealthTree Blog

Alzheimer’s is actually a form of dementia, but each form has enough of a difference in symptoms and other areas that the two words are usually used to denote separate conditions. Further, since dementia can have more than one underlying cause, additional descriptive adjectives are often used to identify the specific type of dementia; for instance, vascular dementia or drug-induced dementia.

Both dementia and Alzheimer’s can be associated with the aging process; however, Alzheimer’s is actually caused by changes in the brain; whereas dementia may occur as a part of aging or for other reasons. Although many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia are the same, including short- and long-term memory loss; misplacing items or putting them in the inappropriate places; and mood or personality changes, to name a few, dementia does not always progress. A person may reach a certain point of dementia and not get any worse, although they may not improve, either. Alzheimer’s almost always tends to be progressive.

Certain types of dementia may also be reversible, while Alzheimer’s Disease is not reversible at all. This is the most notable difference. If dementia is caused by a drug reaction or as a result of drug abuse, or for another reason, then it is possible that medication and other treatment options may actually “cure” the dementia.

Vascular dementia, however, is irreversible, because it is caused by blockage of the blood vessels leading to the brain. If the condition is diagnosed in time and steps taken to clear the blockage, it is possible that improvement may be seen. Only a health care professional can determine if a person is suffering from Alzheimer’s or dementia; and, if it is dementia, what the cause may be.