The confusion occurs when we hear one person say that Mom has Alzheimer's, while another persons says Mom has Dementia. Both are accurate; however, Mom really has Alzheimer's since Dementia is NOT a disease. Mom may be experiencing a memory loss and this is the sign of dementia. This is the main reason why many dementing illnesses can be confused with others. I will be focusing on several dementing illnesses: Alzheimer's Disease, Multi-infarct Dementia, Picks' Disease, Huntington's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Diffuse Lewy Body Disease, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. Below, I have briefly described each disease and have included links to several web sites that deal specifically with each disease.
Alzheimer's Disease is one of the most common dementing illnesses. Alzheimer's is a progessive disease which attacks the brain. Signs associated with Alzheimer's are gradual memory loss, walking difficulties, speech impediments, confusion of surroundings, and challenging behaviors. Alzheimer's can only be fully diagnosed after death through a brain autopsy. When getting a diagnosis, doctors rule out ALL other possabilities.
Alzheimer's Association
Alzheimer Society of Canada
Multi-infarct Dementia means multiple mini strokes (infarcts) in the brain. Sometimes, a person will have multiple strokes and not notice. The person may feel a tingling sensation, but it passes and is not further looked at. The most common signs of Multi-infarct Dementia are impaired thinking, memory loss, difficulty walking, changes in judgment, speaking difficulties, and personality changes. If your loved one experiences sudden severe headaches, numbness of the face, arm, or leg, or a sudden loss of vision, please consult with your physician immediately. Many of these symptoms are overlooked as a bad headache because of not eating or vision problems from watching television too long.
National Stroke Association
Standford Medical Center
/artery/stroke.htm">Stroke
Pick's Disease is a rare, progressive disease that affects certain areas of the brain. Pick's Disease is most commonly associated with personality disturbances and behavioral changes. Signs of PD are speech problems, such as slurring, stuttering, mumbling, and repetition of words.
The Pick's Disease Support Group
Huntington's Disease is a hereditary, degenerative brain disorder. The most common signs of Huntington's are involuntary movements, personality changes, memory problems, and speech impediments.
Parkinson's Disease attacks certain nerve cells causing difficulties in walking, speaking, and balancing. Also, the person may experience tremors even when it is not cold.
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