Senile Dementia Compared to Alzheimer\’s Disease

\”Is there a difference between (Senile) Dementia and Alzheimer\’s Disease?\”
And if so: \”What are those differences?\”
The symptoms of both of them look very similar.

The word \”Dementia\” is experienced to be less a loaded word than \”Alzheimer\’s\”. So many physicians tend to prefer \”dementia\” in stead of \”Alzheimer\’s\”.

Dementia

According to Wikipedia:
\”Dementia a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal aging. It may be static, the result of a unique global brain injury, or progressive, resulting in long-term decline due to damage or disease in the body. Although dementia is far more common in the geriatric population, it may occur in any stage of adulthood…………. Into the second half of the 20th century, dementia of the elderly was called senile dementia or senility and viewed as a normal aspect of growing old rather than as being caused by any specific diseases.\”

Collective Noun

Dementia is a collective noun, in other words a non-specific illness syndrome (set of signs and symptoms) in which affected areas of cognition may be memory, attention, language, and problem solving.
Alzheimer\’s Disease:
Alzheimer\’s Disease is the most common form of Dementia.
So: Alzheimer\’s Disease and Dementia are two different things.
The relationship between dementia and Alzheimer\’s is similar to the relationship between a cow and an animal:

– A cow is an animal…….But
– Not all animals are cows

Alzheimer\’s versus Dementia:

– Alzheimer\’s is a form of Dementia…….But
– Not all Dementia is Alzheimer\’s.

Dementia Is A Collection Of Symptoms

Fever is a symptom, and there are many different affections that can cause fever. When you go to the doctor because you have a fever, most people are not satisfied when the doctor only gives them an aspirin to fight the fever without making a diagnosis of the cause of the fever. You want to know what causes the fever to have a proper treatment of that.

The Collection of Signs and Symptoms Together Called Dementia

As we get older, we all experience a slight slowing down both physically and mentally.
Sometimes forgetting something however is totally different from senility. After we have forgotten something there is also a remembering when someone else reminds us. When we talk about senility this remembering is not coming back.

If you are concerned that someone in your family may be suffering from senility (or dementia) – and may be Alzheimer\’s – you could look for the next list of instructions:

– Family History. Are there occurrences of senility or Alzheimer\’s disease in your family? Much research has identified a genetic link. It is said that especially the link between mothers and their suns and daughters is more relevant that the link from the father\’s side.

– Signs of memory loss and language difficulties. Is the person consequently losing words, or doesn\’t he or she remember the names of common objects? A one-time not knowing is not really a symptom. The point is that it occurs regularly. Sometimes you also notice him or her forgetting how to do simple mathematics.

– Confusion and loss of attention span. Slackens the attention of the person during a normal conversation? Is he getting to be confused by basic tasks?

– Undiagnosed hearing or vision loss. These may cause problem with communication. If they don\’t hear and/or see clearly that can lead to great uncertainty. In that cases it looks like they forget even more things than the really do.

– Inappropriate behavior and impaired judgment. If the person begins to act unbecomingly or considerably uncommon in social situations, this also may be a symptom of dementia.

– Emotional agitation and mood changes. Many people feel something is happening to them when the are in the early stages of dementia. They can become frightened as well ass depressed by that fear. People in their neighborhood are often the first ones who are victim of the reactions on that fear or depression.

– Physical coordination problems and physical confusion. People with dementia often have problems in operating the remote control of the TV-set or handling the phone. Even how to do simple learned tasks that have been part of their daily life for many years can become to be problematic.

– The gait. Do you notice changes in the way he or she is walking? Besides caused by for example Parkinson\’s disease many people with dementia show a decline in gait.
If you notice a number of these symptoms with your beloved-one you should consult your doctor to have a comprehensive diagnostic survey carried out.Dick Harkes was confronted with Alzheimer’s Disease when his father was diagnosed with this awful ailment. Then he started collecting information about Alzheimer’s.
He likes to share this information with everybody.
Please visit Alzheimer’s and Dementia .

Or start at his homepage: All About Alzheimer’s Disease.

Dick Harkes knows Alzheimer’s since his father’s diagnosis with the ailment. He collected information about the disease, he now likes to share with everybody.
Visit http://www.all-about-alzheimers-disease.com/Alzheimers-and-dementia.html.
Homepage: http://www.all-about-alzheimers-disease.com.

Author Bio: Dick Harkes was confronted with Alzheimer’s Disease when his father was diagnosed with this awful ailment. Then he started collecting information about Alzheimer’s.
He likes to share this information with everybody.
Please visit Alzheimer’s and Dementia .

Or start at his homepage: All About Alzheimer’s Disease.

Category: Medical Business
Keywords: senile dementia,senility, senile dementia,differences between alzheimers,alzheimers disease