The Three Most Common Types of Dementia For Appleton Seniors Explained
It’s not uncommon to hear the terms “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease” used interchangeably, but the two are quite different. Research shows an important difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s. Dementia is a general term for a severe loss of memory and other cognitive capacities caused by physical changes in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease is just one of several types of dementia Appleton seniors experience.
Below are three of the most common dementia types:
Please note that while some cognitive impairment is normal with advancing age, in the case of dementia, symptoms are usually severe enough to interfere with everyday activities.
1. Alzheimer’s Disease
Accounting for 60 to 80 percent of cases, Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It arises when plaques and bundles of proteins build up between nerve cells in the brain, causing atrophy and, ultimately, brain cell death.
While Alzheimer’s begins well before the first symptoms register for a Boulder/Broomfield senior, the earliest detectable signs include trouble with memory, such as struggling to remember names and conversations, apathy, and depression. As the disease progresses, more severe symptoms—including impaired communication, poor judgment, and disorientation—emerge.
2. Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia accounts for roughly 10 percent of dementia cases. Befitting its name, vascular dementia is associated with damaged and blocked blood vessels in the brain. This leads to decreased blood flow to areas of the brain and, as a result, dead tissue. The severity of a case will depend on the location, number, and size of the damage or blockages.
3. Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB)
One of the most common types of dementia after Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, DLB results when abnormal clumps of protein (called Lewy bodies) develop around the cortex. Like Alzheimer’s patients, Charlotte seniors with DLB often experience memory loss and cognitive issues. However, they are more likely to suffer initial symptoms such as sleep disturbances, visual hallucinations, and imbalanced gait, similar to those with Parkinson’s.
For more information on the differences between Dementia and Alzheimer’s please Click Here
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