Breaking Down the 6 Major Types of Memory Issues

With so much information floating around about Alzheimer’s and dementia, it can be hard to know where to turn. Many people don’t understand the difference between the two and believe that Alzheimer’s and dementia are either the same thing or only two memory issues. Actually, there are over 100 different conditions that can lead to memory issues.

We are going to provide information on the six most common types of memory issues.  They are dementia, Alzheimer’s, Vascular Dementia, Lewy Bodies Dementia, Frontotemporal Dementia, and Young-onset Dementia.

 

1.) Dementia

Dementia is the loss of cognitive functioning — thinking, remembering, and reasoning — and behavioral abilities to such an extent that it interferes with a person’s daily life and activities. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of neurological conditions affecting the brain that get worse over time. Dementia refers to a general decline in memory and cognitive ability that is severe enough to affect a person’s daily life.

There is no single test for dementia. A diagnosis is based on a combination of things, including:

• taking a medical history– the health professional talks to the person, and ideally someone who knows them well, about their problems and how they are affecting the person’s daily life
• physical examination and tests to rule out other possible causes of the person’s symptoms
• mental ability tests – these are generally carried out by a nurse, occupational therapist or doctor, although sometimes more specialized tests may be done by a neuropsychologist

 

2.) Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia and the leading cause of dementia. Alzheimer’s is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

The first noticeable sign of Alzheimer’s disease is often memory problems. There may be difficulties recalling recent events and learning new information.

Memory issues can make a person with Alzheimer’s more likely to:

• forget about recent conversations or events
• get lost in a familiar place or on a familiar journey
• forget appointments or significant dates
• become increasingly disorganized.

This is because one of the first parts of the brain to be damaged in Alzheimer’s is the hippocampus, which is important for memory. The person is much less able to form new memories, which means they often don’t remember things that have happened recently. Their memories of events that happened a long time ago are not usually affected in the earlier stages.

Age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s. This means that a person is more likely to get Alzheimer’s as they get older. Above the age of 65, a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s doubles about every five years. There are about twice as many women over 65 with Alzheimer’s as there are men over 65 with the condition. This is mostly because women tend to live longer than men.

There are certain genes that may be inherited from a parent that can affect a person’s chances of getting Alzheimer’s. There are two types of these genes: familial genes and risk genes. Familial genes will cause Alzheimer’s if they are passed down from a parent to a child.

People who live a healthy lifestyle, especially from mid-life onwards, are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s. This includes not smoking, not drinking too much alcohol, and eating a healthy balanced diet. Keeping physically, mentally and socially active may help a person to reduce their risk of developing Alzheimer’s as well.

There are lots of health conditions that increase a person’s risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. These include:

• diabetes, stroke and heart problems
• risk factors for heart and blood vessel disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity in mid-life
• age-related hearing loss
• depression.

 

3.) Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is a form of dementia caused by reduced blood flow in the brain, such as from a stroke.

The most common symptoms of vascular dementia during the early stages are:

• problems with planning or organizing, making decisions or solving problems
• difficulties following a series of steps
• slower speed of thought
• problems concentrating, including short periods of sudden confusion

Symptoms may develop quickly or more gradually. As vascular dementia progresses, the symptoms get worse and cause problems with everyday living. A person in the early stages may also have difficulties with their memory and their language.

There are many risk factors that increase a person’s chances of developing vascular dementia, such as their age, other health conditions and lifestyle factors. The biggest risk factor for vascular dementia is age and the risk increases once a person gets to 65.

There are several different types of vascular dementia. The most common is subcortical vascular dementia, and other types can be caused by a stroke, or smaller kinds of stroke are:

Subcortical vascular dementia— Subcortical vascular dementia is thought to be the most common type of vascular dementia. It is caused by diseases of the very small blood vessels that lie deep in the brain. Over time, these blood vessels can develop thick walls and become stiff and twisted, so blood cannot travel through them easily. The parts of the brain supplied by these blood vessels become starved of oxygen and nutrients. Eventually they stop working altogether and the affected brain cells are lost.

Stroke-related dementia–– Vascular dementia can also be caused by a stroke. This is when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly cut off. With most strokes, a blood vessel in the brain becomes narrowed and is blocked by a clot. The clot may have formed in the brain or, if someone has heart disease, it may have formed in the heart and been carried to the brain.

Multi-infarct dementia— Multi-infarct dementia is caused by a series of smaller strokes. This may also include transient ischemic attacks (TIA). A TIA is similar to a stroke but the symptoms last only a short time and tend to get better by themselves. Some people may not realize that they have had smaller strokes or a TIA.

Mixed dementia— At least one in every ten people with dementia is diagnosed with mixed dementia. This is when their dementia is caused by more than one condition. Most often it is a combination of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

 

 

4.) Lewy Bodies Dementia (DLB)

Lewy Bodies Dementia (DLB) is a type of dementia that is known to cause hallucinations, changes in sleep patterns, and unpredictable changes in attention and alertness. In this disease, tiny clumps of proteins known as Lewy bodies appear in the nerve cells of the brain. Lewy bodies are named after FH Lewy, the German doctor who first identified them.

Lewy bodies cause a range of symptoms, some of which are shared by Alzheimer’s disease and some by Parkinson’s disease. For this reason, Lewy Bodies Dementia is often wrongly diagnosed. About 1 in 10 people with dementia have this form. DLB may also be mistaken for delirium – particularly if the person is first seen by medical staff during an emergency admission to hospital.

They may also experience rapid fluctuations in their ability to function properly, feeling confused or disorientated quite suddenly. Memory tends to be less affected than in people with Alzheimer’s disease

 

5.) Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD)

Frontotemporal Dementia or Frontotemporal Disorders (FTD) is caused by changes to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain and is known for causing changes with behavior and personality. This is the result of damage to neurons in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Many possible symptoms can result, including unusual behaviors, emotional problems, trouble communicating, difficulty with work, or difficulty with walking. Symptoms of frontotemporal dementia differ from one person to the next. Symptoms get worse over time, usually over years.

In frontotemporal dementia, parts of these lobes shrink, or atrophy. Symptoms depend on which part of the brain is affected. Some people with frontotemporal dementia have changes in their personalities. They become socially inappropriate and may be impulsive or emotionally indifferent. Others lose the ability to properly use language.

Frontotemporal dementia can be misdiagnosed as a mental health condition. FTD tends to occur at a younger age than does Alzheimer’s disease. It often begins between the ages of 40 and 65, although it can occur later in life as well. FTD is the cause of dementia about 10% to 20% of the time.

 

6.) Young-Onset Dementia (YOD)

Young-Onset Dementia (YOD) is a term used to describe dementia that develops in someone under the age of 65. It’s also called “early onset” or “working age” dementia, but these terms can be confusing. “Early onset” can refer to the early stages of dementia, and “working age” is defined as retirement age and can be more flexible. YOD accounts for about 5% of all dementias.

YOD affects thinking, memory, and behavior, and can interfere with someone’s normal social or working life. However, people with YOD can often lead active and fulfilling lives for many years after their diagnosis.

Symptoms of YOD can include:

• Changes in gait, such as shuffling, slower walking speed, or shorter strides
• Issues with balance, and clumsiness
• Involuntary movement, such as hand tremors
• Loss of dexterity and mobility
• Difficulty judging distances
• Changes to behavior and emotions
• Changes in how people express their feelings or understand other people’s feelings
• Communication problems
• Movement problems, such as stiff or slowed bodily movement

 

 

Don’t Ignore Memory Loss Symptoms

If you are seeing these symptoms in your loved ones, make note of the changes and contact their primary care physician. Don’t guess that these are just “normal signs of aging” and ignore them.  Get the assistance you need so a proper diagnosis can be made and follow the guidance of your health care provider. Don’t be afraid to ask for help whether it’s in your home or making the decision for your loved one to move to a community with Memory Support services.

 

 

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or dementia and is considering a memory support community, consider taking a tour of one of The Ohio Masonic Communities campuses. With three senior living communities across the state of Ohio – Browning Masonic Community in Waterville, Ohio, Springfield Masonic Community in Springfield, Ohio, and Western Reserve Masonic Community in Medina, Ohio – each offers premier living options with exceptional experiences so residents can live their best lives. If you are interested in learning more about one of our communities, give us a call at 1-877-881-1623. We will be happy to answer all your questions and be a trusted resource in the search for the right community for you!