September 21st is world Alzheimer’s Day, it is a day that aims at raising awareness about the disease, dementia, common symptoms and risk factors attached to it. With that in mind we wanted to share more about Alzheimer’s and dementia.
On average 2 out of 4 people globally have little to no understanding of them. Here in Ireland, around 41,000 people are living with some form of dementia. Let’s dive in first with talking about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, the possible symptoms and where you can get help.
What is Dementia?
Dementia describes a number of possible symptoms associated with the decline in our memory, reasoning and other thinking skills. There are different types of dementia and a many conditions that can cause it. It is not a normal part of ageing and should not be dismissed.
It can be caused by damage of our brain cells and this can affect our:
- Communication
- Way of thinking
- Behaviour
- How we feel
What is Alzheimer’s?
Alzheimer’s is a deteriorating brain disease that can happen because of complex changes that happen to your brain after any cell damage. It could lead to dementia symptoms that can worsen over time.
Early signs can include having trouble with remembering new information. That is because it can affect that part of the brain associated with learning. Sadly, there is no way to prevent this slow down or cure Alzheimer’s.
Remember: Alzheimer’s is a specific disease. Dementia is not!
Possible Symptoms to Look Out For:
Below are a list of potential symptoms to look out for whether it be for you or a loved one.
- Having issues with words
- Poor judgement
- Confusion about time and location
- Misplacing items
- Having trouble with images and spaces
- Difficulty problem solving
- Unfounded emotions
- Difficulty in completing what was once a familiar task
Get the Support You Need:
If you or someone you know begins to show any of the above symptoms, the best course of action is to go see your doctor. They will have all the information you need and guide you through each step from diagnosis to treatment.
Should it be a positive diagnosis, they will be able to share all the best supports and information there is. Once of which is the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland.
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