Can some please tell me the difference between the two? My mom has...I believe dementia. We had her tested but in order to know if it's dementia or Alzheimer's she would need an MRI. We don't see the need for that. I want to understand the difference for myself. Thank you :)
2 Answers
Helpful Newest
First Oldest
First
Dementia is an umbrella term for a set of symptoms including impaired thinking and memory, and is often associated with the cognitive decline of aging.
Alzheimer’s is a specific disease that can cause dementia.
Think in terms of having a sore throat. The throat is sore but it is not known what is causing that particular symptom. It could be allergies, strep throat, or a common cold. Similarly, when someone has dementia they are experiencing symptoms without being told what is causing those symptoms.
Dementia, in some forms, is sometimes treatable. Alzheimer’s is incurable, at this time.
My father was diagnosed with late stage dementia a few weeks before he passed, and his doc nor myself didn’t feel the need for an MRI.
ADVERTISEMENT