{"id":672,"date":"2015-06-22T15:03:59","date_gmt":"2015-06-22T19:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.healthinaging.org\/blog\/?p=672"},"modified":"2015-06-22T15:03:59","modified_gmt":"2015-06-22T19:03:59","slug":"alzheimers-brain-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.healthinaging.org\/blog\/alzheimers-brain-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"Alzheimer\u2019s & Brain Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Brangman,Sharon27resized\"<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Sharon A. Brangman, MD
\n<\/strong>Professor of Medicine
\n<\/strong><\/span>Division Chief, Geriatrics
\nDirector,\u00a0Central New York Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Assistance Center<\/span>
\n<\/strong>SUNY Upstate Medical University
\n<\/strong>
\nSummer is definitely in full swing: the temperatures are rising, the days are getting longer, and the world is looking a bit more\u2026purple. That may sound strange, but it\u2019s part of a new initiative championed by the Alzheimer\u2019s Association to commemorate the first Alzheimer\u2019s and Brain Awareness Month<\/a> this June.<\/p>\n

In the spirit of Alzheimer\u2019s and Brain Awareness Month, it\u2019s important to understand what Alzheimer\u2019s disease really is (and what it isn\u2019t) and what you can do if you\u2019re concerned about the condition, already living with it, or supporting someone who has been diagnosed.<\/p>\n

Dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s: What\u2019s the Difference?
\n<\/strong>Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia are often lumped together, but they aren\u2019t the same thing. Dementia <\/strong>is the umbrella term that covers a wide range of symptoms related to loss of memory and thinking skills<\/a> severe enough to affect a person\u2019s ability to perform everyday activities. Alzheimer\u2019s disease<\/strong> accounts for 60 to 80 percent of all dementia cases. Vascular dementia, which can follow a stroke, is the second most common type. Additionally, many other, often-reversible conditions like thyroid problems or vitamin deficiencies can cause dementia-like symptoms.<\/p>\n

Despite what many people think, dementia isn\u2019t a normal part of aging. Many people have memory loss issues\u2014but that doesn\u2019t mean they have dementia or Alzheimer\u2019s. Those two conditions mean something very different, which is why it\u2019s so important to get a check-up from a healthcare professional if you\u2019re concerned about your cognitive abilities and the potential for developing Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n

As a geriatrician and director\u00a0of the Central New York Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Assistance Center at SUNY Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse, NY, I have a particular interest in caring for people with Alzheimer\u2019s disease and dementia. It\u2019s difficult for many doctors to tell older adults they have Alzheimer\u2019s because we don\u2019t yet have a cure. I often see patients who are referred to me without being told about their diagnosis, for example. But even though we haven\u2019t found a way to stop or reverse the onset of the disease just yet, diagnosing the condition as soon as possible offers patients and their families a chance to make appropriate plans early on, and to live well for as long as possible by effectively managing the disease at the beginning.<\/p>\n

Get Checked for Any New Symptoms
\n<\/strong>Many dementias are progressive. That means that symptoms may be mild when they first appear and worsen over time. That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to get any symptoms evaluated as soon as possible, because symptoms can sometimes be a sign of a treatable condition. And even when symptoms do indicate a form of dementia, early treatment allows a person to get the most benefits from the treatments we do have. Getting an early diagnosis also provides a chance to enter a clinical trial<\/a> for new treatments and also provides time for families to plan for the future.<\/p>\n

So what can you look out for, and what can you do if you\u2019re concerned about dementia?<\/strong> Pay attention to the following \u201cred flags,\u201d and get an evaluation from your healthcare provider if you notice any of these symptoms in yourself or a loved one.<\/p>\n