Every time I look up vascular dementia, I get taken to an Alzheimer's page. I need help dealing with my husband's difficulties walking and using his hands. Any advice?
Parkinson's Disease is not the same as Parkinsonism. More information is available from any of the Parkinson's related organizations. My own diagnosis is Parkinson's and I am very relieved it is not one of the parkinsonism diseases.
Aquired Brain Injury - covers accidents & head injuries.
Dementia - covers many other impaired brain functions. Dementia is an *umbrella* term: covering many types; Alzheimer's Disease (brain disease) being the most common. Vascular Dementia next. (Vascular is a cardiovascular disease but effects the brain too - often caused by many strokes or smaller TIAs).
Parkinson's Disease is another brain disease.
Not always - but in late stages can lead to such brain changes/damage that impairs function. That level is called 'Parkinson's with Dementia' where I live.
Yes it is hard to grasp & a lot to deal with.
How are you coping with your husband's behaviour & mobility? Also mood can be effected too.
Although my mom was given treatment for Parkinson's (Sinemet) I was never comfortable with that, she was diagnosed by a GP and I'm still 90% convinced that all her symptoms were the result of the bleeds or infarcts (not sure of that either) that lit up her MRI "like a Christmas tree". Unfortunately I never did get a definitive diagnosis of Vascular Dementia for my mom as I was new to navigating the medical system at that time and too overwhelmed to push for clearer answers.
Parkinson's Disease is a " progressive disease of the nervous system marked by tremor, muscular rigidity, and slow, imprecise movement, chiefly affecting middle-aged and elderly people. It is associated with degeneration of the basal ganglia of the brain and a deficiency of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dementia may or may not be present in Parkinson's disease which manifests by poor balance, shuffling gait, tremors. There are many different types of dementia. You can google "types of dementia" for an online overview that will be helpful for you. I am surprised that specifically googling vascular dementia takes you to an "Alzheimer's page" as they are quite different. You might try the following link: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vascular-dementia There are reams and reams of information on dementia in the public domain. You might ask a librarian for help in finding information. Best wishes to you.
Parkinsonism isn't an alternate term for Parkinson's, it's a descriptor for a group of symptoms that may mimic it. Vascular dementia is a type of dementia that is the result of brain damage that can be caused by a stroke, but it may also be the result of cumulative damage from things like diabetes, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, and micro clots or bleeds in the brain.
Grandma1954 is correct that you start with an actual, accurate medical diagnosis by a doctor. All other treatement strategies and decisions will filter through the diagnoss. Your husband needs to be under the care of a doctor who has specific experience in treating people with Parkinsons, not just a GP.
People with Parkinson's can develop dementia. And one of the types they can develop is Lewy Body Dementia. But not all people with Parkinson's will be diagnosed with LBD. Search Parkinson's Association for more detailed information. Also has he been "officially" diagnosed with Parkinson's? If not that is the first step that should be done. Vascular Dementia is another type of dementia. More linked to mini strokes so the decline is different than that of Alzheimer's or LBD. You can call the Alzheimer's Association number and they will give you information and they will give you the number to the Parkinson's Association.
Don't know if the link will work, but the Wicking Foundation (in Tasmania) has some great info. (You don't have to enrol in the 6 week course!).
https://www.utas.edu.au/wicking/understanding-dementia
From my humble understanding:
Aquired Brain Injury - covers accidents & head injuries.
Dementia - covers many other impaired brain functions. Dementia is an *umbrella* term: covering many types;
Alzheimer's Disease (brain disease) being the most common. Vascular Dementia next. (Vascular is a cardiovascular disease but effects the brain too - often caused by many strokes or smaller TIAs).
Parkinson's Disease is another brain disease.
Not always - but in late stages can lead to such brain changes/damage that impairs function. That level is called 'Parkinson's with Dementia' where I live.
Yes it is hard to grasp & a lot to deal with.
How are you coping with your husband's behaviour & mobility? Also mood can be effected too.
Dementia may or may not be present in Parkinson's disease which manifests by poor balance, shuffling gait, tremors.
There are many different types of dementia. You can google "types of dementia" for an online overview that will be helpful for you. I am surprised that specifically googling vascular dementia takes you to an "Alzheimer's page" as they are quite different. You might try the following link:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/vascular-dementia
There are reams and reams of information on dementia in the public domain. You might ask a librarian for help in finding information.
Best wishes to you.
disorder of
Vascular dementia is a type of dementia that is the result of brain damage that can be caused by a stroke, but it may also be the result of cumulative damage from things like diabetes, high blood pressure, hardening of the arteries, and micro clots or bleeds in the brain.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/dementia/vascular-dementia
https://www.heartandstroke.ca/stroke/what-is-stroke/vascular-cognitive-impairment
https://www.bcm.edu/healthcare/specialties/neurology/parkinsons-disease-and-movement-disorders/vascular-parkinsonism
Search Parkinson's Association for more detailed information.
Also has he been "officially" diagnosed with Parkinson's? If not that is the first step that should be done.
Vascular Dementia is another type of dementia. More linked to mini strokes so the decline is different than that of Alzheimer's or LBD.
You can call the Alzheimer's Association number and they will give you information and they will give you the number to the Parkinson's Association.