What Are the Risk Factors of Developing Dementia?
Dementia encompasses multiple conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, which affects an individual’s cognitive and social abilities to the point independent living can be disrupted. Although many associate memory loss with dementia in older adults, it’s not the definitive symptom. In fact, cognitive issues may indicate your loved one has another condition. In general, dementia occurs as…
Who’s More at Risk for Stroke?
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked. When this process is disrupted, the brain no longer receives the amount of oxygen it needs and cells die off. There are two types of strokes: Ischemic and hemorrhagic. The most common, ischemic, happens when a blood vessel flowing to your brain…
How Brain Scans Help Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease
When the signs are recognized, Alzheimer’s disease can be identified in the early stages. However, even when forgetfulness and other indicators are present, the diagnostic process is not always straightforward. Alzheimer’s disease cannot be determined by a single blood test and the evaluation often requires multiple specialists to consult. Also, one set of tests may…
Understanding the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia
Many people use the terms “Alzheimer’s disease” and “dementia” interchangeably. However, there are several key differences between these two medical conditions. For one, dementia is a broadly applied term used to describe cognitive decline; Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia and the most common cause. As older adults are more at risk for both…