Dementia is a complex diagnosis that no two people will experience the same way. Did you know that “dementia” itself isn’t a disease, but rather a collection of familiar symptoms like memory loss?
Linked to a variety of diseases, like Alzheimer’s disease or Huntington’s dementia, dementia affects 1 in 10 adults over age 65 in the United States, while 1 in 5 may show signs of mild cognitive decline. But how do we know when symptoms like memory loss or poor impulse control are related to dementia, and not the usual signs of growing older?
In this article, Ability Central shares the top 8 things to know about dementia, including its types, risk factors, and more. We answer your most pressing questions about dementia, like:
What is dementia?
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Is dementia fatal?
What causes dementia?
What are the types of dementia?
What are the risk factors of dementia?
How does dementia affect communication?
Is there a cure for dementia?
Where can I get more information about dementia?
What is Dementia?
Dementia is not a disease. Instead, the term “dementia” refers to a group of symptoms that affect someone’s thinking, social, and memory functions. Dementia symptoms are usually tied to an underlying disease like Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s.
In most dementia cases, an underlying disease destroys nerve cells in the brain. As that damage progresses, people lose brain function, leading to physical, social, and psychological symptoms that can completely change someone’s experience of life.
Some of the most common symptoms associated with dementia include:
Memory loss
Difficulty communicating or finding words
Getting lost or wandering
Confusion
Sudden or severe personality changes
Mental health problems
Inappropriate or unexpected behavior
Some forgetfulness is a natural part of growing older. In many cases, mild memory loss and slight cognitive decline after age 65 aren’t much cause for worry. But if memory loss starts early or becomes severe enough to interfere with daily life, it might be a sign of a deeper problem.
To learn more about the symptoms of dementia, see What Does Dementia Look Like in Adults? Dementia Symptoms and Warning Signs.
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
You may have heard the term “dementia” used interchangeably with “Alzheimer’s disease.” However, Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia; they are not the same thing.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, making up about 60-70% of all dementia cases.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, see Alzheimer's Quick Facts: 5 Things to Know.
Is dementia fatal?
Dementia symptoms themselves are not typically fatal, but the diseases that cause them usually are.
As diseases like Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s disease progress, the brain can break down so much that critical organ functions—like breathing, circulation, and digestion—stop working. Additionally, dementia can make people forget where they are or wander into dangerous situations.
The diseases that cause dementia are usually chronic, progressive, and neurodegenerative. In other words, these diseases are permanent and get worse over time because of constant damage to nerve cells and other parts of the brain.
It’s important to note that while most dementia-related brain changes are permanent, there are some diseases that can mimic dementia symptoms, such as:
Delirium
Head trauma
Hydrocephalus
Hearing and vision problems
Heart and lung disorders
Kidney or liver disease
Hormone disorders
Severe infections like Lyme disease or syphilis
Some forms of cancer
Heavy metal toxicity, like malnourishment or overexposure to materials like lead
These symptoms may get better with treatment, which is why it’s important to seek a diagnosis as soon as possible if you or a loved one experience dementia symptoms.
What causes dementia?
The main cause of dementia is brain damage, and the most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. While each form of dementia damages the brain, the way this damage occurs depends on the diagnosis. For example, brain damage can appear as:
Harmful protein deposits building up in the brain
Destruction of nerve cells or brain tissue
Damage to the brain’s blood vessels
Inflammation (swelling and pressure)
Severe infections, like HIV/AIDS or syphilis
Brain shrinkage, also called brain atrophy, which happens when connections between nerve cells and the parts of the brain die off
Doctors aren’t entirely sure where diseases like Alzheimer’s or Huntington’s disease come from, but have identified a few possible links, like genetics, obesity, or smoking.
What are the types of dementia?
Dementia falls into two main categories: progressive dementias and dementias caused by other disorders. Their symptoms change depending on which parts of the brain suffer damage.
Types of progressive dementia include:
Alzheimer's disease, which occurs when the brain develops damaging protein structures called plaques and tangles in their brains. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia.
Frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a group of diseases that damage the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes. FTD mostly affects personality, thinking, language, judgment, and behavior, but it can also cause problems with movement.
Lewy body dementia, which causes Alzheimer’s-like clumps of protein called Lewy bodies. These balloon-shaped structures damage nerve cells and their connections, leading to hallucinations, difficulty focusing, tremors, and depression.
Vascular dementia, caused by damage to the brain’s blood vessels. This type of damage can cause strokes or other damage to the brain, and it is most often linked to loss of organization, focus, problem-solving, and thinking skills.
Mixed dementia, typically only visible in an autopsy study of someone’s brain, involves dementia from a combination of causes. For example, someone might have symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, and vascular dementia at the same time.
Other disorders linked to dementia include:
Huntington’s disease, a genetic disease that grinds away nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain. Typically appearing in someone’s 30s or 40s, Huntington’s disease usually involves severe decline in cognitive skills.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI), or head trauma that damages part of the brain. Depending on which part of the brain suffered the injury, people with TBI can experience a range of dementia symptoms.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, a rare and fatal brain disorder that appears after age 60. Not much is known about this disease’s causes, but it may be linked to infectious protein deposits or exposure to the disease through things like cornea transplants.
Parkinson’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder linked to tremors and stiffness. As Parkinson’s progresses and affects the brain, people may experience dementia symptoms.
What are the risk factors of dementia?
Your risk of developing dementia may change based on controllable and uncontrollable factors, called risk factors.
Dementia risk factors include:
Age. Dementia is more common in people age 65 or older.
Alcohol. People who drink too much alcohol are more likely to develop dementia.
Depression, which can both cause and worsen dementia symptoms.
Genetics, particularly for inherited dementias and sometimes Alzheimer’s disease
High blood pressure, also called hypertension.
High blood sugar in people who have diabetes.
Lack of physical activity.
Smoking.
Social isolation, a leading cause of death in the elderly.
Obesity or being overweight, which is linked to a wide range of health problems.
How does dementia affect communication?
According to the Alzheimer’s Society, dementia symptoms can affect someone’s ability to:
Choose words and form sentences.
Express themselves.
Feel self-confidence.
Focus.
Interact socially.
Make or keep friendships.
Manage their own behavior and impulses.
Read and understand writing, particularly if they have vision problems.
Understand what people say to them, especially if they have hearing problems.
In addition, people with dementia might repeat themselves while speaking, become depressed or anxious, or start isolating themselves from their friends and family. These communication difficulties can also lead to frustration and conflict between someone with dementia and their caregivers.
To learn more about dementia and communication, see What Does Dementia Look Like in Adults? Dementia Symptoms and Warning Signs.
Is there a cure for dementia?
At the time of this writing, there is no cure for dementia. Because dementia happens alongside such a wide range of diseases, there likely won’t be a single dementia cure.
As research progresses into conditions like Alzheimer’s, Lewy body dementia, and Huntington’s disease, long-term treatments can improve people’s quality of life, communication skills, and independence for as long as possible.
To learn more about what to do after a dementia diagnosis, see The 9 First Steps to Take After a Dementia Diagnosis. For more information about long-time planning and end-of-life care, see Long-Term Planning for People With Dementia.
Where can I get more information about dementia?
You can also check out Ability Central’s other resources about dementia, including:
Additional Information
The content provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for legal, medical, or other professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date resources, some information may become outdated or incomplete. Always consult with your provider about personal medical concerns.
