Terry Pratchett on Alzheimer’s Disease (Part 1 of 2)
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Terry Pratchett on Alzheimer’s Disease (Part 1 of 2)
Terry Pratchett’s speech to the Alzheimer’s Research Trust as he donates one million dollars to the cause, and discussing having Alzheimer’s, the effect on his writing, eating voles, and Dirty Harry the crack dealer.
Watch Terry Pratchett on Alzheimer’s Disease (Part 1 of 2)
Terry Pratchett on Alzheimer’s Disease (Part 1 of 2)
What is the difference between a person with alzheimer’s and dementia?
Please explain using a statement or sentence that each would say. For example a person with dementia will say “A”, but a person with alzheimer’s will say “B”.
What is the difference between a person with alzheimer’s and dementia?
Add your own answer in the comments!
While the most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer’s Disease, there are other less common causes. The second most common cause is vascular dementia, which results when strokes or brain lesions impair blood flow to the brain. Other primary causes include Parkinson’s Disease, Huntington’s Disease and Pick’s Disease. Dementia-like symptoms also can develop as a result of another condition, such as alcohol or substance abuse, vitamin deficiency and certain infectious diseases.
Alzheimer’s Disease accounts for nearly 60 percent of all dementia cases. Alzheimer’s affects the parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language, and usually begins after age 60.
“The first signs of the disease are mild forgetfulness,” said Dr. Todd. “The forgetfulness easily can be confused with age-related memory loss, however, so it usually takes more time to make a positive diagnosis.”
As the disease progresses, symptoms become more easily noticed and are serious enough to cause concern for family members. The symptoms also begin to interfere with the person’s ability to perform daily activities. “They may start forgetting how to do common tasks such as brushing teeth or dressing,” explained Dr. Todd.
The person will start failing to recognize familiar people and places. He or she also will begin having problems speaking, understanding, reading and writing. During the late stages of the disease, the person becomes anxious and/or aggressive and will have a tendency to wander away from home and become lost. “Eventually he or she will need total care,” said Dr. Todd.
Patients with Alzheimer’s can be treated with medications to slow down the progression of the disease. However, there is no cure — the disease cannot be stopped or reversed.
If you could have your choice , I would pick dementia. I watched someone die from Alzheimer’s and it is terrible. Alzheimer’s is a disease that will kill you. You slowly forget everything and everyone. They will repeat the same phrase or action over and over. They forget who their children and spouse is. On the other hand most seniors suffer some form of dementia. They will forget where they put things and sometimes forget what they were doing or saying.