Dementia and Alzheimer’s are both grueling diseases that devastate millions of people worldwide. Almost 55-60 million people have Alzheimer’s and dementia, 60% of cases occurring in low-income countries. Every year, 10 million new cases are added to this number, which is only expected to grow yearly. In such urgent circumstances, we must understand how these diseases differ in order to diagnose and treat them accurately.
Both dementia and Alzheimer’s are neurodegenerative diseases that impact the cognitive function of a person suffering from them. Thus affecting their daily life. However, these diseases have different underlying causes and symptoms. In this guide, we will compare Vascular Dementia Vs Alzheimer’s so you can identify their differences and make well-informed decisions.
When it comes to the Alzheimer’s vs vascular dementia facts, people often confuse the two. Both these diseases might have overlapping symptoms but different starting points. Let’s first learn what vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s are.
Vascular Dementia
Vascular dementia is characterized by a decline in cognitive function due to damaged brain blood vessels as a result of a stroke or other conditions that damage the blood vessels. Due to this damage, the brain does not receive the required oxygen and nutrients. This leads to problems like memory loss, difficulties with thinking and problem-solving, and changes in behavior and mood.
Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia. It is caused by the accumulation of amyloid plaque in the brain. Alzheimer’s disease affects the part of the brain that controls thought, memory, and language. This affects the patient’s ability to converse and causes memory loss, behavioral changes, agitation, and cognitive decline.
Symptoms
The first thing that comes to mind when comparing Alzheimer’s disease vs vascular dementia comparison is their symptoms. The symptoms of both dementia and Alzheimer’s may often overlap, but they have a fine line that helps us distinguish them from each other. They are:
Vascular Dementia Symptoms
Dementia is characterized by symptoms that start slow and become worse over time. These symptoms may include
- Difficulty performing everyday tasks
- Difficulty in decision-making and planning.
- Trouble following instructions or processing new information
- Hallucinations or delusions
- Mood changes, personality shifts, Anxiety, depression, and disregarding manners
- Impulsive behavior
- Selfishness and stiffness
- Forgetfulness and misplacing items
- Language problems and difficulty with reading and writing
- Lack of judgment and impaired perception of danger
Alzheimer’s Disease Symptoms
Alzheimer’s affects the part of the brain associated with learning, reading, and writing, so the early symptoms include reduced memory and reasoning skills. Other symptoms include:
- Difficulty finding words and impaired reasoning
- Wandering and getting lost
- Problems with daily tasks such as managing finances
- Behavioral and personality changes
- Confusion and difficulty recognizing familiar people
- Impaired ability to cope with new situations or learn new information
Over-lapping symptoms
Overlapping symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia include:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Difficulty recalling names and other details
Comparison
When comparing Alzheimer’s vs vascular dementia symptoms, you will see that certain symptoms are similar in both dementia and Alzheimer’s. for example, memory loss. In dementia, memory loss starts with pre-conditions like difficulty planning, judgment, and speed of thinking rather than memory loss from the start. However, Alzheimer’s disease begins with memory impairment that progressively worsens over time.
Vascular Dementia Causes
Vascular dementia may arise as a result of conditions that cut off the flow of blood to the brain, reducing the amount of oxygen and other nutrients reaching the brain. These conditions may include but are not limited to:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Strokes or mini-strokes
- Brain hemorrhage
- Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
Alzheimer’s Disease Causes
When amyloid plaque or tau tangles start accumulating in the brain, they may lead to the development of Alzheimer’s. The factors that may be a risk factor include:
- Genetics (such as the presence of the apolipoprotein E gene)
- Age and family history
- Heart disease,
- High blood pressure and stroke
- Diabetes and obesity
Shared Risk Factors
Cardiovascular diseases may influence both diseases. Look out for high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol levels, as they contribute to vascular damage and may put you or your loved ones at risk for developing either of the diseases in the future.
Diagnosis
Now that you know the symptoms and the risk factors of dementia and Alzheimer’s, the next step is to understand how to diagnose Alzheimer’s vs vascular dementia. Keep reading this guide to find out how your health practitioner diagnoses if your loved one has Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Vascular Dementia Diagnosis
- At first, they may assess and determine your medical history and symptoms
- Next, they will run some cognitive tests
- Last but not least, they will carry out CT scans and MRIs to identify any vascular changes
Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis
- Your physician will evaluate your medical history and symptoms
- They will also run some cognitive tests to assess memory, attention span, and language
- This will be followed with brain imaging, i.e., MRI, CT, or PET scans.
- The doctor will collect blood and urine tests to rule out other conditions.
Differentiation
Identifying Alzheimer’s vs vascular dementia differences includes keeping the patterns and progression of the disease in check and evaluating them. Vascular dementia disease shows slow and gradual changes in symptoms, e.g., a gradual decline in cognitive function, such as memory. On the other hand, Alzheimer’s is characterized by sudden changes in mental function, memory, focus, and personality changes.
Treatment and Management
Alzheimer’s and dementia care include having an elaborate treatment plan. If you have a loved one fighting this condition, then knowing the ins and outs of the treatment plan can help you with your caregiving journey. You can always hire professional help to facilitate you and make your caregiving journey smoother. Our team of skilled professionals, care managers, care coordinators, and caregivers who are experts in palliative home care are determined to provide the highest quality care to our clients, personalized according to their preferences and needs.
Vascular Dementia Treatment
Here is a simplified list of everything that goes on in dementia care and treatment
- Medications that prevent stroke and other major risk factors are added to the treatment plan.
- Conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes are treated with utmost care
- A healthy and balanced diet is maintained
- Exercise and other activities to stimulate the brain
- Maintain a healthy social life to prevent anxiety and depression
Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment
The treatment plan for Alzheimer’s may include but is not limited to the following:
- Managing symptoms with appropriate medications.
- Slowing or preventing this health condition progression with targeted therapies
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle, i.e., exercise, hobbies, and nutritious meals
- Behavioral symptoms are managed by diverting attention. E.g., reduce noise levels, redirect restless pacing to productive exercise, etc.
Management Tips
Dementia and Alzheimer’s are both diseases that target the cognitive function of the body. They can be managed by following almost similar steps.
- Establishing a structured routine
- Creating a calm environment
- Providing support for daily activities
- Consistent Caregiving for Stability and Comfort
True Homecare provides each client with a dedicated caregiver who is well-acquainted with their routine. This consistent, professional care fosters a stable and reassuring environment, helping to maintain calmness and stability for individuals with these mental conditions.
Prevention
Although there are several studies still going on about the prevention of Alzheimer’s and dementia, some preventive measures for both Alzheimer’s and dementia include Managing and maintaining a healthy weight by eating nutritious and balanced meals.
- Regular physical exercise
- Take measures to prevent and control diseases like diabetes, cholesterol, and blood pressure.
- Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Engaging in mental stimulation and social activities
While both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s are health conditions that affect cognitive function, they arise from different causes and have varying symptoms (although the symptoms might overlap. Early diagnosis of this health condition helps manage and treat it in a better way, thus improving the overall quality of life and slowing the progression of the disease.
If you are a caregiver taking care of your loved one and are fighting either or both of the diseases, consider easing your caregiving journey by hiring professional help. For personalized in-home care services for dementia patients, contact True Homecare today at 01614281989. Our compassionate team provides tailored care to support individuals and families dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s.
FAQs
Q: Can a person have both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
A: Both these diseases come under the dementia umbrella, and an individual can have both. They are also sometimes referred to as mixed dementia. This can sometimes time complicate diagnosis and treatment.
Q: How is vascular dementia different from Alzheimer’s disease in terms of symptom onset?
A: dementia starts with problems with thinking and decision-making, not memory loss. However, Alzheimer’s begins with memory loss and progresses over time.
Q: How can we prevent dementia or Alzheimer’s?
A: As both dementia and Alzheimer’s affect cognitive function, engaging in regular exercise or activities that stimulate the brain can help prevent the disease; avoiding smoking and managing cardiovascular risk factors can reduce the risk of developing the disease.
Q: Are there effective treatments for vascular dementia?
A: Unfortunately, there are no specific drugs to treat the disease. Managing underlying factors or following a healthy diet and lifestyle can help slow the progression of the disease.
