dementia/alzheimers

[Rafael]

this might sound stupid, can someone put it for me in simple words what are the actual differences between dementia and alzheimers.
cheers

[Nik]

Hi Raoul
Basically dementias can be broken down into different "types", of which Alzheimer's is the most common form.
This C+D link may help further.

http://www.chemistanddruggist.co.uk/...20June%207.pdf

[Shwampa]

the difference is...what was your question again?

[johnep]

I believe plaques in the brain present in Alzhiemers. At one time thought to be connected to aluminium from water or saucepans.
johnep

[Rafael]

cheers john
my question was, if you see 2 people in your pharmacy, and you are told that one of them suffers from dementia the other from alzheimers, how would you be able to tell which one suffers from which.

[JonF]

the difference is...what was your question again

Raoul,
shwampa's post was an attempt at humour!!

[Rafael]

would not both D+A patients wonder ' what was your question'
i have to admit it that was a funny one but i did not get from the 1st attempt

[Gowan]

Alzheimer's is a horrible and much misunderstood condition. There are normally 2 sufferers involved; the one with the disease, and their carer who often is their husband/wife/partner.

Comments about forgetfulness do not even begin to scratch the surface of the horrific condition.

Sufferers gradually lose the logic of doing things, and get frustrated and bewildered and angry.

Their carers have the nightmare of watching their lifetime friend and spouse gradually come to regard them as strangers. And their dreams of time together once their children have left home, disappear.

Some carers don't know about the Alzheimer's Society (http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/) and the respite care they offer; invaluable for carers who otherwise have no time for themselves.

[johnep]

Presented with a dementia sufferer and an Alzeimers pt, I would not know one from another becuse I am not nerologically trained. The distinction is important as it is possible that Alzeimers has some trigger condition and therefore some treatment or possible cure. Dementia will eventually happen to us all as we get older. I probably have slight dementia already compared to what I was 20 years ago.
johnep

[Jeff]

this might sound stupid, can someone put it for me in simple words what are the actual differences between dementia and alzheimers.
cheers

Dementia is a term that encompasses a variety of conditions that include Alzheimers, Lewis Body and Vascular Dementia (and probably some others)

Lewis Body has Parkinsons symptoms as well, and shows changes to the brain that I've mostly forgotten about but that you can look up if you need to.

Vascular dementia, I'm told, has a more sudden deterioration - and statins are indicated to delay that sudden deterioration.

On the other hand if you had Alzheimers or Lewis Body would you want a statin?

And I'll second Gowans post - and in addition suggest that you look through the forums at http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/ (you don't need to join to do so).

Then record it all as CPD

Jeff