Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
How to Deal With Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Alzheimer’s disease is a specific type of dementia, while dementia is a general term that describes a decline in mental abilities that affects daily life. In this article, we will explain the difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, the causes and symptoms of both, and some herbal remedies that may help with these conditions.
What is dementia?
Dementia is not a disease, but a term that describes a group of symptoms that affect memory, thinking, communication, and behavior. There are many different types and causes of dementia, such as:
Alzheimer’s disease:
This is the most common cause of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of cases. It is a degenerative brain disease that damages and kills brain cells, leading to memory loss, confusion, and cognitive decline.
Vascular dementia:
This is the second most common cause of dementia, accounting for 10-20% of cases. It is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, due to strokes, heart disease, or blood vessel damage, leading to impaired thinking, judgment, and planning.
Lewy body dementia:
This is the third most common cause of dementia, accounting for 10-15% of cases. It is caused by abnormal protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the brain, leading to fluctuations in alertness, hallucinations, and movement problems.
Frontotemporal dementia:
This is a rare cause of dementia, accounting for less than 5% of cases. It is caused by damage to the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, leading to changes in personality, behavior, and language.
Other causes:
There are many other possible causes of dementia, such as Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, HIV, brain tumors, infections, head injuries, and vitamin deficiencies.
Dementia is not a normal part of aging, but it is more common in older people. About 5% of people over 65 have some form of dementia, and this percentage increases with age. However, dementia can also affect younger people, especially those with genetic or inherited forms of the condition.
What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, and it affects about 6 million people in the United States. It is a progressive and irreversible brain disease that gradually destroys memory, thinking, and other mental functions. The exact cause of Alzheimer’s disease is unknown, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. Some of the risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease are:
Age:
The greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease is increasing age. The risk doubles every five years after age 65, and reaches almost 50% after age 85.
Family history:
Having a parent or sibling with Alzheimer’s disease increases the risk of developing the condition, especially if the onset was before age 65.
Genetics:
Certain genes, such as APOE-e4, are associated with a higher risk of Alzheimer’s disease, but they do not determine the outcome. Other genes, such as APP, PSEN1, and PSEN2, are linked to rare forms of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, which can affect people as young as 30.
Lifestyle:
Some lifestyle factors, such as smoking, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, and poor diet, may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, or worsen its symptoms. On the other hand, some factors, such as education, mental stimulation, social engagement, and physical activity, may lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, or delay its onset.
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain in several ways. One of the main features of Alzheimer’s disease is the accumulation of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain. Amyloid plaques are sticky clumps of protein fragments that build up between nerve cells, interfering with their communication. Neurofibrillary tangles are twisted fibers of another protein called tau that accumulate inside nerve cells, causing them to lose their structure and function. Another feature of Alzheimer’s disease is the loss of synapses and neurons in the brain, leading to brain shrinkage and atrophy. These changes in the brain result in the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, which vary from person to person, and worsen over time. Some of the common symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are:
• Memory loss: This is the most typical symptom of Alzheimer’s disease, and it usually affects short-term memory first. People with Alzheimer’s disease may forget recent events, conversations, names, faces, appointments, or locations. They may also repeat questions, stories, or statements, or misplace or lose things.
• Thinking and reasoning problems: People with Alzheimer’s disease may have difficulty with complex tasks, such as planning, organizing, solving problems, or making decisions. They may also have trouble with numbers, calculations, or finances.
• Communication and language difficulties: People with Alzheimer’s disease may have trouble finding the right words, following or joining conversations, understanding or expressing themselves, or reading or writing.
• Orientation and perception issues: People with Alzheimer’s disease may lose track of time, date, season, or place. They may also confuse or mix up people, places, or things, or have trouble recognizing familiar objects, faces, or sounds.
• Behavior and personality changes: People with Alzheimer’s disease may exhibit changes in their mood, emotions, or personality. They may become depressed, anxious, irritable, angry, or aggressive. They may also become apathetic, withdrawn, or socially isolated. They may also show signs of confusion, delusions, hallucinations, or paranoia.
Alzheimer’s disease has no cure, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and improve the quality of life of people with the condition and their caregivers. Some of the treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are:

Medications:
There are two types of medications that are approved by the FDA for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease: cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Cholinesterase inhibitors, such as donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine, work by increasing the levels of a chemical messenger called acetylcholine in the brain, which is involved in memory and cognition. Memantine, also known as Namenda, works by blocking the effects of another chemical messenger called glutamate, which is involved in learning and memory. These medications may help slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease and improve some of the symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, and agitation. However, they do not stop or reverse the disease, and they may have side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, dizziness, or insomnia.
Non-drug therapies:
There are also non-drug therapies that can help people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers cope with the condition and enhance their well-being. Some of these therapies are:
- Cognitive stimulation: This involves engaging in mentally stimulating activities, such as puzzles, games, reading, or learning new skills, that can help maintain or improve cognitive function and memory.
- Cognitive training: This involves practicing specific cognitive tasks, such as memory, attention, or problem-solving, that can help improve or preserve cognitive performance and daily functioning.
- Cognitive rehabilitation: This involves using strategies, such as mnemonics, reminders, or cues, that can help compensate for cognitive impairments and enhance independence and quality of life.
- Behavioral therapy: This involves identifying and modifying the triggers and consequences of challenging behaviors, such as agitation, aggression, or wandering, that can help reduce or prevent them and improve the safety and comfort of people with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.
- Music therapy: This involves using music, such as listening, singing, playing, or composing, that can help stimulate emotional and cognitive responses, reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood and communication.
- Art therapy: This involves using art, such as drawing, painting, sculpting, or collage, that can help express feelings and emotions, enhance creativity and self-esteem, and improve communication and social interaction.
- Animal-assisted therapy: This involves interacting with animals, such as dogs, cats, or horses, that can help provide companionship, comfort, and stimulation, reduce loneliness and depression, and improve mood and behavior.
What are some herbal remedies for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia?

There are some herbal remedies that may help with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but they are not a substitute for medical advice or treatment. You should always consult your doctor before using any herbal products, especially if you have a severe or chronic condition, or if you are taking any medications. Some of the herbal remedies that may help with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia are:
Ginkgo biloba:
This is a herb that comes from the leaves of the ginkgo tree, and it has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Ginkgo biloba may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can protect the brain from oxidative stress and damage. It may also improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain, and modulate the levels of neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine and glutamate, that are involved in memory and cognition.
Turmeric:
This is a spice that comes from the root of the turmeric plant, and it has been used for centuries in Indian cuisine and medicine. Turmeric contains a compound called curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may protect the brain from oxidative stress and damage. It may also modulate the levels of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, and improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.
Rosemary:
This is a herb that comes from the leaves of the rosemary plant, and it has been used for centuries in Mediterranean cuisine and medicine. Rosemary contains a compound called rosmarinic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may protect the brain from oxidative stress and damage. It may also enhance the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in memory and cognition.
Sage:
This is a herb that comes from the leaves of the sage plant, and it has been used for centuries in European cuisine and medicine. Sage contains a compound called carnosic acid, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may protect the brain from oxidative stress and damage. It may also inhibit the breakdown of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that is involved in memory and cognition.
Green Tea:
This is a beverage that is made from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, and it has been consumed for centuries in Asian countries. Green tea contains a group of compounds called catechins, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that may protect the brain from oxidative stress and damage. It may also modulate the levels of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, and improve blood flow and oxygen delivery to the brain.
Lion’s mane mushroom:
This is a fungus that grows on trees, and it has been used for centuries in Chinese and Japanese cuisine and medicine. Lion’s mane mushroom contains a group of compounds called hericenones and erinacines, which have neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties that may stimulate the growth of new brain cells and synapses. It may also modulate the levels of amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, and enhance the activity of nerve growth factor, a protein that is involved in memory and cognition.
These are some of the herbal remedies that may help with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, but they are not proven to be effective or safe for everyone. You should always do your own research, read the labels carefully, and follow the directions and warnings on the package. You should also be aware of the possible side effects, interactions, and allergic reactions that these herbs may cause. If you have any questions or concerns, you should talk to your doctor or a qualified herbalist before using any herbal remedies for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.