Types of Dementia: Part 1
Knowledge is power and a good tool to add early on to the dementia caregiver toolbox. These next few blog posts will provide some education on different types of dementia and the parts of the brain that are affected. You may be asking yourself: there are different types of dementia? Yes!
While many types of dementia share some of the same symptoms, not all dementias are created equal. The reason why it’s so important to keep a list of changes in your loved one is that it can help your medical provider determine which type of dementia they have. In addition, the treatments used or avoided can change depending on the type of dementia he or she suspects. Finally, you can then use this knowledge to provide dementia education for your family and friends.
We will start with Alzheimer’s which is the most common type of dementia. The terms Alzheimer’s and dementia are often used interchangeably, but remember that dementia is an umbrella term, and you can learn more about this in my earlier blog post Dementia Defined.
The change that may stand out to you the most if your loved one is living with Alzheimer’s is short term memory loss. What this could mean, for example, is forgetting appointments, a phone conversation you just had, or losing (not just misplacing) items they commonly keep on them like a purse, keys, or glasses. You may also notice more mood changes, like crying all the time, or irritability and this is sometimes referred to as emotional lability.
One part of the brain most commonly affected in Alzheimer’s is called the hippocampus. Your neurologist will pay special attention to this area of the brain for signs of shrinking. The hippocampus plays many roles in learning and memory. Another area close to the hippocampus that neurology often pays attention to is called the amygdala. This area, too, plays roles in memory and emotional regulation. Finally, another term you may hear is “global atrophy.” This means the brain as a whole has shrunk and there is more empty space in between the wrinkles in the brain.
Think of when you stop exercising and your muscles atrophy. Much like it would be harder to lift a dumb bell, your brain has a hard time sending its usual communication signals to other parts of the brain or body. These changes in the brain can help us understand why our loved one is acting (or not acting) the way that they are. Remember, the things they say and do are a result of the disease talking.
Stay tuned for more information on other common types of dementia.
