Monday, February 13, 2012

Saturday, September 20, 2008 Doris asks

Q: What is the difference between Dementia & Alzheimers?

My husband has been diagnosed with moderate to severe Dementia.  He is taking Namenda 2 times a day and seems to be getting worse.  Does Dementia turn into Alzheimers?  Can you compare the two?

Answer This
Answers (2)
9/21/08 8:44am

Hi Doris,

This gets confusing for many people. Alzheimer's is a form of dementia - one of the most common. However, there is vascular dementia, Pick's disease - the list goes on. My mom was just diagnosed with "organic brain disease," because they couldn't name it, other than dementia. Many doctors try Alzheimer's drugs for dementias because it isn't always easy to diagnose, specifically, the type of dementia. I know one woman whose dad was told he had Alzheimer's. It took five years to decide it was vascular dementia (I put her on to it, as his behavior didn't seem to follow classic Alzheimer's). However, his treatment didn't change much. If you haven't had him to a neuro-psychiatrist, you may want to try that.

Carol

Reply
9/22/08 10:17am

Hi Doris

 

Many people ask this question. Alzhimer's disease is a form of dementia. David Roeltgen has wriiten a sharepost that will help answer our question. There is the link:

 

 http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/c/118/8646/dementia-disease/?ic=4004

 

Christine

Reply
Answer This

Important:
We hope you find this general health information helpful. Please note however, that this Q&A is meant to support not replace the professional medical advice you receive from your doctor. No information in the Answers above is intended to diagnose or treat any condition. The views expressed in the Answers above belong to the individuals who posted them and do not necessarily reflect the views of The HealthCentral Network. The HealthCentral Network does not review or edit content posted by our community members, but reserves the right to remove any material it deems inappropriate.

Ask a Question

Get answers from our experts and community members.

Btn_ask_question_med
View all questions (1454) >