Brain & Nervous System Alzheimer's Dementia & Related Cognitive Disorders Differences Between Dementia and Alzheimer's By Esther Heerema, MSW facebook twitter linkedin Esther Heerema, MSW, shares practical tips gained from working with hundreds of people whose lives are touched by Alzheimer's disease and other kinds of dementia. Learn about our editorial process Esther Heerema, MSW Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Claudia Chaves, MD on November 24, 2019 Claudia Chaves, MD, is board-certified in cerebrovascular disease and neurology with a subspecialty certification in vascular neurology. Learn about our Medical Review Board Claudia Chaves, MD Updated on January 10, 2020 Print Dementia is a broad term, often called an umbrella term, that refers to a deterioration in brain functioning. It can include thought processes, judgment, reasoning, memory, communication, and behavior. giocalde / Getty Images The Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia Dementia is a broad category, while Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type, and the most common cause, of dementia. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but there are several different types and causes of dementia, including: Huntington’s disease Frontotemporal degeneration Lewy body dementia Vascular dementia Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease Parkinson’s dementia Mixed dementia Normal pressure hydrocephelus Posterior corticol atrophy Korsakoff syndrome 13 Kinds of Diseases that Cause Dementia Symptoms Dementia can show up as memory loss (usually short-term initially), difficulty finding the right words, poor judgment, or a change in behaviors and emotions. Executive functioning—such as planning or carrying out multiple steps to complete a task—may become difficult, and orientation to the day, date, time, or location may decline. Dementia typically is progressive, meaning that functioning declines over time. However, this varies significantly based on which condition is causing dementia. Causes Dementia results from damage to the brain and is related to several different neurological conditions that affect cognition, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, stroke, Levy body disease, and frontotemporal dementia. Each of these diseases has certain causes and risk factors, including lifestyle and genetics. The risk of developing dementia increases as people age, but it is not a normal consequence of aging. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for roughly 60% to 80% percent of cases, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Approximately 5.8 million people are living with Alzheimer’s dementia. Diagnosis If you suspect someone has dementia, arrange for a doctor’s appointment for an evaluation. Sometimes, reversible conditions such as normal pressure hydrocephalus or vitamin B12 deficiency can cause confusion or memory loss. An assessment by a doctor can determine if any of those reversible health concerns exist, as well as outline a plan for treatment. According to the National Institute on Aging, cognitive and neuropsychological, brain scans, psychiatric evaluation, and genet tests may be used to diagnose dementia: What to Know About Being Diagnose With Dementia Treatment Treatment of dementia varies. Medications that are approved specifically to treat Alzheimer’s disease are often prescribed to treat other kinds of dementia as well. While some people report seeing little benefit, others report that these medications seem to temporarily improve cognitive functioning and slow the progression of dementia. Other ways to respond to changes in cognition and behavior include non-drug approaches like maintaining a daily routine, changing how caregivers respond to the person with dementia, and paying attention to non-verbal communication from your loved one. Prevention There is no sure-fire way to prevent dementia, but research suggests that things such as keeping your brain active, staying social, getting regular physical exercise, maintaining good heart health, and consuming a healthy diet may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! When it comes to Alzheimer's, the MIND diet has shown promise in reducing risk and promoting brain health. Sign up for our Alzheimer’s and Dementia Newsletter and get your free recipe guide today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Alzheimer's Association. What is dementia? Alzheimer's Association. Types of dementia. Alzheimer's Association. 2019 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures report. Alzheimers Dement. 2019;15(3):321-87. Osimani A, Berger A, Friedman J, Porat-katz BS, Abarbanel JM. Neuropsychology of vitamin B12 deficiency in elderly dementia patients and control subjects. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol. 2005;18(1):33-8. doi:10.1177/0891988704272308 National Institute on Aging. What is dementia? Symptoms, types, and diagnosis. December 31, 2017. Azheimer's Association. Prevention.