Many people who begin to develop memory problems — either in themselves or a loved one — wonder about the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. The short answer is that Alzheimer’s is one of many diseases that can cause dementia. Here’s what you need to know about dementia and Alzheimer’s.

What Is Dementia?

Dementia isn’t a specific disease. Instead, it’s an umbrella term used to describe a significant decline in cognitive abilities, such as thinking, memory, and reasoning. Generally, in order to be considered dementia, this decline must be severe enough to interfere with daily life.

There are many different types of dementia, each caused by different underlying diseases. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 60 percent to 80 percent of all cases, making it the most common cause of dementia. Other causes and types of dementia include:

• Lewy body dementia
• Vascular dementia
• Frontotemporal dementia
• Huntington’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Mixed dementia (dementia with symptoms from more than one type)

Dementia is not considered a normal part of aging. While some mild forgetfulness can happen naturally as you get older, the brain degeneration that happens with Alzheimer’s disease and other degenerative brain diseases is not part of typical aging.

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is a specific condition that causes symptoms of dementia. In Alzheimer’s, two types of abnormal proteins, called amyloid and tau proteins, build up in the brain. You may hear the terms amyloid plaques or tau tangles to describe these abnormal protein clumps. These brain changes interfere with the normal firing of neurons (brain cells), so they cannot function properly or communicate with each other. Over time, this causes the neurons to die.

People with Alzheimer’s disease also have lower levels of certain brain chemicals that send messages or signals between neurons, sometimes stopping them altogether. Neurons may continue to fire, but their communication to the rest of the brain and the body is disrupted.

What Are Alzheimer’s and Dementia Risk Factors?

Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia have some overlapping risk factors. Other risk factors are unique to certain forms. Below are some risk factors that are common across dementia types.

• Age — Older age is the biggest risk factor for Alzheimer’s. It’s also a risk factor for vascular dementia, among others.
• Biological sex — The majority of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are women. Longer life expectancy plays a role, but hormonal and biological factors may also contribute.
• Race and ethnicity — Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American adults are at greater risk of developing dementia than white adults. This disparity is linked to factors related to public health, including unequal access to care, economic instability, and discrimination.
• Genetics — Certain genetic mutations increase the risk of developing certain dementias. However, the gene that increases the risk of Alzheimer’s is different from the genes that might increase the risk for other conditions that cause dementia.
• Health conditions — Chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol increase your risk of dementia.
• Smoking and drinking — Using tobacco, heavy alcohol use, and other habits can raise your risk of dementia over time.

What Are Common Dementia Symptoms?

Dementia has several signs and symptoms, all of which contribute to impaired mental functioning (cognitive impairment). Most people diagnosed with a certain type of dementia experience several of the following symptoms, but not necessarily all of them. These symptoms should be significant enough to interfere with daily tasks, daily life, quality of life, and sense of well-being.

Symptoms of Alzheimer’s and other dementias include:

• Difficulty finding the right words
• Trouble communicating coherent thoughts
• Lack of physical coordination
• Noticeable forgetfulness
• Problems completing multistep jobs or tasks
• Getting lost, even in familiar places
• Becoming confused or disoriented
• Trouble with problem-solving, planning, or organizing

Some people diagnosed with dementia will experience psychological or behavioral changes. These may include:

• Personality changes or behaving “out of character”
• Paranoia (suspicion of others)
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t there)
• Depression or anxiety
• Inappropriate behavior

Certain dementia symptoms are more common in some types of dementia than others. The way symptoms develop and progress can also vary widely.

How Is Alzheimer’s Diagnosed?

The first step in diagnosing dementia is speaking to a healthcare provider. The doctor will usually ask about the person’s family and personal medical history. They may also talk to caregivers to understand more about a person’s symptoms.

Diagnosing cognitive decline can be fairly straightforward, but determining the underlying cause can be more complicated. Your doctor or your family member’s doctor may recommend several tests, and they may refer you to a specialist for additional testing. Common diagnostic tests include cognitive function tests, brain scans, and blood tests.

These tests can help confirm Alzheimer’s or rule out another form of dementia. Blood tests for Alzheimer’s disease check for certain biomarkers in the blood that point to Alzheimer’s-related changes. Brain scans can show if someone has a buildup of amyloid and tau proteins or signs of a recent stroke. This helps doctors tell the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

Find Your Team

On myALZteam, people share their experiences with Alzheimer’s disease, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Do you have questions about the difference between Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia? Let others know in the comments below.