Is Alzheimer's Dementia?
Then, what distinguishes Alzheimer's disease and dementia?
The basic difference is Alzheimer's disease and dementia
Actually Alzheimer's is one part of dementia or in other words, dementia is a big umbrella under which there is Alzheimer's disease.
Dementia is a term used to describe various symptoms that affect daily performance, communication skills, and brain.
Meanwhile, Alzheimer's is a disease of the brain that slowly and gradually destroys the function of intelligence and memory. Alzheimer's is one type or cause of dementia.
In addition to Alzheimer's disease, there are actually various types or causes of other dementia, such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, vascular dementia, and so on.
While the cause of Alzheimer's is due to a heap of beta-amyloid (plaque) proteins and protein tau in the brain that block nerve signals and damage nerve cells.
Differences in symptoms of Alzheimer's and dementia
At first glance Alzheimer's and dementia have the same symptoms, namely memory disorders, difficulty in communication, and decreased ability to think. Symptoms of dementia depend on the cause and some of the symptoms may be similar to Alzheimer's.
However, in Alzheimer's, the symptoms caused are not just memory disorders, decreased ability to think, or difficulties in communication but there are other symptoms.
Other symptoms of Alzheimer's are indifference, decreased ability to judge, difficulty remembering conversations or events that just happened, depression, confusion, behavior changes, and disorientation.
In the more severe stages of Alzheimer's disease, sufferers will experience symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, walking, and talking.
Differences in treatment of Alzheimer's and dementia
Treatment of dementia depends on the cause. Dementia can be cured, but some cannot be treated. Treatment of dementia will be more curable if caused by tumors, hypoglycemia, medications, and metabolic disorders.
Meanwhile, Alzheimer's disease cannot be cured and its symptoms can only be treated. Medications for Alzheimer's are medicines that work to alleviate the effects of Alzheimer's, such as memory loss, sleep problems, changes in behavior, and depression.
Some alternative treatments for Alzheimer's disease, such as fish oil or coconut oil only aim to maintain health and improve brain function.
What happens if Alzheimer's disease is not treated immediately?
Alzheimer's disease that is not treated immediately will get worse. Alzheimer's disease does not have a cure yet, but prompt and appropriate treatment can slow down the development process of Alzheimer's disease.
Alzheimer's disease which is getting more severe will further damage the cognitive function of the sufferer which impacts on his physical health.
For example, sufferers will find it difficult to report symptoms of illness, physical disorders, or side effects from certain medications that are felt, as well as difficulty in remembering and following the treatment instructions given.
In the final stages of Alzheimer's disease, changes in the patient's brain have affected his bodily functions, such as body balance, ability to swallow, hold urination or defecation, and so on. Some medical conditions that may occur are:
- Contracted pneumonia and other infections
- Food or fluids enter the lungs
- Malnutrition
- Bone fracture
- Dehydration
- Pressure sores
Prevention of Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's is a disease that cannot be prevented, but certain lifestyle changes can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer's. A healthy diet and regular exercise can reduce the potential for Alzheimer's disease or other causes of dementia.
In addition to healthy eating patterns and regular exercise, reading, making art, participating in social activities, dancing, playing musical instruments, and other things that require mental and social capacity can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's.
0 Response to "Is Alzheimer's Dementia?"
Post a Comment