{"id":3772,"date":"2023-10-26T21:35:28","date_gmt":"2023-10-26T21:35:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/45\/?p=3772"},"modified":"2025-05-13T14:49:03","modified_gmt":"2025-05-13T14:49:03","slug":"understanding-alzheimers-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/assistinghands.com\/45\/texas\/westhouston\/blog\/understanding-alzheimers-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding Alzheimer\u2019s Disease"},"content":{"rendered":"

Here at Assisting Hands West Houston, we provide superb and loving in-home care for those in need, especially for those who are elderly, infirm, and\/or living with conditions such as dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s. If you are caring for a loved one with Alzheimer\u2019s in West Houston or Katy, Texas and have questions, read on.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Alzheimer\u2019s Disease?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that causes memory loss, cognitive decline, and behavioral changes. In the United States it is one of the most common (if not the most common) causes of dementia, and affects many people in the Houston area.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to the Alzheimer\u2019s Association, currently, more than 400,000 Texans are living with Alzheimer\u2019s disease, and over 1,000,000 family and friends are providing care.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is Dementia?<\/b><\/h2>\n

The term \u201cdementia\u201d refers to a general condition that involves memory loss, as well as a deterioration of the standard use of language, problem-solving and other thinking abilities that are severe enough to interfere with daily life.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is the Difference between Dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Dementia is a general term for a decline in mental ability severe enough to interfere with daily life. It is caused by damage to the brain that affects memory, thinking, reasoning, behavior, and emotions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for 60-80% of all cases. It is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die.<\/span><\/p>\n

The main difference between Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is that Alzheimer’s is a specific disease, while dementia is a general term for a group of symptoms. In other words, every case of Alzheimer’s disease is an example of dementia, but not every type of dementia is Alzheimer’s.<\/span><\/p>\n

What causes Alzheimer\u2019s Disease?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Alzheimer’s disease is caused by the abnormal build-up of proteins in and around brain cells. These proteins, called amyloid and tau, form plaques and tangles that disrupt communication between nerve cells and eventually lead to cell death.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, <\/span>the exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown. Some believe it is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some risk factors for Alzheimer’s include:<\/span><\/p>\n