Types of Dementia
Dementia is a disorder of the brain. It affects the areas that allow you to think, speak, reason, remember, and move. Dementia gets worse over time and has no cure.
Alzheimer's disease is actually the most common type of dementia. Other common types are vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia. At times, frontotemporal dementia is mistaken for Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's is a brain disease that gets worse over time. It destroys brain cells. This causes problems with memory, thinking, and behavior. Certain signs and symptoms are hallmarks of the disease. Although there is no cure, there are medications that can treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's.
Vascular Dementia
When arteries that feed the brain become narrow or blocked, vascular dementia could occur. Often it's brought on by other diseases, such as high blood pressure. Symptoms may appear abruptly, frequently after a stroke. Or they progress slowly, mimicking Alzheimer's disease. Both Alzheimer's and vascular dementia can occur at the same time. Symptoms of vascular dementia include problems with memory, speech, and vision.
Lewy Body Dementia
In Lewy body dementia, abnormal clumps of protein form in the brain. This is similar to what happens with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The three diseases may be related. Symptoms include confusion, rigid muscles, slowed movements, and tremors. Lewy body dementia can also cause hallucinations. Symptoms can be treated with drugs developed for Alzheimer's disease.
Frontotemporal Dementia
Affecting the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, this type of dementia causes personality and behavior changes. Typically running in families, frontotemporal dementia begins to appear between ages 40 and 70.
A Dementia Diagnosis: What to Do
If your doctor diagnoses a loved one with dementia:
- Determine which type of dementia it is. Defining the type of dementia can help your doctor recommend proper treatment options.
- Ask your doctor what to expect and how it can be treated. Figure out how your loved one's behavior will be affected now and over time. This will help you know how long you can expect your loved one to remain independent. They may need help from you or another caregiver.
- Start planning. Figure out what you need to do to care for your loved one, now and in the future. Consider financial, legal, and caregiving issues.
- Expand your medical network. You may need to see other types of doctors, as well, to gain knowledge about the diagnosis. Neurologists and psychiatrists can often help diagnose Alzheimer's patients.
Get the Free Guide
The Guide to Alzheimer's includes:
- What you should know about the disease
- Doctor discussion tips
- Information about a prescription treatment option
