For some, Alzheimer's and dementia are considered the same thing or used interchangeably, however there is a difference, and according to Dr Jonathan Graff-Radford of the Mayo Clinic in the US, dementia is not a specific disease but an overall term which describes a wide range of symptoms.
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These symptoms impact a person's ability to perform everyday activities independently. Alzheimer's disease is one type of dementia but it's not the only one. It is however the most well-known and common form of dementia with approximately 60 per cent of people with dementia having Alzheimer's disease.
Some of the other causes of dementia are; Lewy body, Frontotemporal, Vascular Parkinson's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob and Huntington's.
As with other mental illness disorders of the brain, schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disease, so is dementia. Those disorders cause problems in one or more of the brain's three main functions, how we move, think and feel. In the case of dementia, it is the thinking, knowing, problem-solving and judgement function of our brain that is primarily affected.
People who suffer from dementia often experience depression or become isolated and disengaged. This mental illness may stem from a person's genetic make-up, biological changes in the brain, psychological factors like self-esteem or environmental factors.
Per Mental Health America, Alzheimer's disease is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer, a German psychiatrist who in 1906, described changes in the brain tissue of a woman who had died of an unusual mental illness.
Dr. Alzheimer found abnormal plaques and tangled bundles of nerve fibres in the brain, which are characteristic brain changes due to Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory, and language. Although the risk of getting the disease increases with age, it is not a normal part of ageing and the cause of the disease is unknown with no cure.
In the US it is estimated that currently four million people may have Alzheimer's disease. The disease usually begins after age 65 with about three per cent of men and women aged 65 to 74 having Alzheimer's disease and nearly half of those over age 85.
As Alzheimer's disease affects a person's thoughts, memory, and language some symptoms can include; forgetfulness, confusion, inability to do mathematical problems, understanding reading or writing and problems speaking. There can be behavioural and personality changes such as aggression, anxiousness or reckless behaviour.
The Mental Health Foundation in the UK states that dementia occurs as a result of the death of a person's brain cells. This may follow other problems like;
- A lack of blood or oxygen supply to these brain areas.
- A head injury from boxing or whip lash after a car crash.
- Pressure on the brain from a tumour, for example.
- Fluid build-up between the brain and the brain lining.
- A neurological disease such as Parkinson's disease or Creutzfeld-Jakob disease.
- An infection such as AIDS.
- Vitamin deficiency.
- A long period of excessive alcohol intake.
In a report by Health Queensland, currently there is no effective treatment for dementia although some medications can help control behavioural symptoms thereby making people more comfortable. However, non-pharmacological approaches are first-line treatment for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
If symptoms are moderate to severe and impact on the person's quality of life or functioning, medication may be needed.
An article published in the Regional Health Forum by Dr Vijay Chandra, Regional Adviser, Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO-SEARO, New Delhi, wrote that traditional practices such as yoga and meditation are good for the body and mind as there is increasing scientific evidence of their benefits.
A person should try to have a healthy diet, reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease by controlling risk factors such as cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure and obesity.
Also try and maintain a healthy lifestyle, which will contribute to being healthier as you age especially as you begin to approach the onset years. Therefore, part of the healthy lifestyle could consist of a nutritious diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, doing plenty of age-appropriate exercises, try and manage stress, develop good sleeping habits and stay active socially with friends and family.
For support contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
Dr Anthony Perrone is a college counsellor at Trinity Anglican College. The views expressed in this column are Dr Perrone's and not necessarily those of Trinity Anglican College.
