Text Size:
What is Dementia?
Is it Different From Alzheimer's Disease?
By Alan Dengiz, MD
Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a descriptive term for a collection of symptoms that can be caused by a number of brain disorders. It was not long ago that the word senility was used to describe these disorders. However the word senility means “old age and feebleness of body and mind.” Since old age does not necessarily result in feebleness of body and mind and younger people may be afflicted with these disorders, the word senility has been replaced by dementia.
Physicians use the word dementia to described illnesses that result in memory loss, confusion, personality change, behavioral problems and difficulty with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, toileting, etc.). There are in fact a large number of illnesses that can cause these symptoms. We believe that Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia but there are many others.
The most common are:
- Alzheimer's disease
- Mixed dementia - Alzheimer's disease combined with another disorder such as vascular (circulation problems to the brain) disease
- Parkinson's disease with dementia
- Lewy body dementia - which may be part of the spectrum of Parkinson's disease dementia
- Vascular dementia
- Frontotemporal dementia
Although there are many other less common forms of dementia, the above list accounts for between 80 and 90% of all dementias.
It is important for physicians who are evaluating individuals with dementia to not only understand the illnesses mentioned above but to be aware of a variety of other conditions that can look like dementia. Examples of these are:
- Reactions to medications - older adults in particular can be on a variety of medications that by themselves or in combination with others may produce memory problems, confusion and other side effects
- Metabolic problems and endocrine disorders—condition such as thyroid disease, high blood calcium levels, other chemical disturbances, various vitamin deficiencies, low oxygen levels and chronic kidney or liver disease
- Infections such as meningitis, encephalitis, HIV, syphilis, Lyme disease, urinary tract infections, and a variety of viral infections
- Brain tumors, strokes, blood clots in the brain, and increased brain pressure known as hydrocephalus
- Alcoholism or drug abuse
- Depression
These conditions may look like one of the dementias described above, however early diagnosis of these conditions can result in cure.
Currently the six types of dementia listed above are not curable, but proper and early diagnosis can allow for better treatment, which may slow the course of the dementia and allow for advanced care planning for the patient and family.
Alan Dengiz M.D. CMD
Since 1984, Alan Dengiz M.D. has been Director of Geriatric Medicine at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital and Health System in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also Medical Director of Glacier Hills Retirement Community and Huron Woods Alzheimer's Residential Care Center. He previously served on the faculty of The University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor Michigan and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
Dr. Dengiz received his medical degree and training at the University of Michigan Medical School. He is Board certified in Internal Medicine, Geriatric Medicine, Hospice and Palliative Medicine and is a Certified Medical Director. He has a major interest in the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. Dr. Dengiz has been involved in clinical research in Alzheimer’s Disease and other areas of Geriatric Medicine. He has lectured nationally on topics such as Alzheimer's disease, Dementia, Osteoporosis, and Successful Aging.
Most recently Dr. Dengiz has appeared in the in the PBS series “Second Opinion” which focused on caregivers of people with Alzheimer's disease. He also did a national media tour with actor, Hector Elizondo to raise awareness of caregiver stress in caring for those with Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Dengiz was recognized by “HOUR Detroit Magazine” as a top Geriatric and Alzheimer's diagnostic physician (2000-2008) and was named among the best Geriatric and Internal Medicine physicians in the “Best Doctors in America” (2001-2008). He was also honored as the Michigan Geriatrician of the Year and received the Outstanding Geriatric Community Service Award.
Leave your comment
You must be an icarevillage member to comment on this article.
Join today
to take advantage of this service or
Sign In
if you are already a member.
