As we age, it’s natural to be concerned about our cognitive health. Moments of “memory loss” or a slowing down of our cognitive abilities can be worrisome. But, understanding the difference between mild cognitive impairment and dementia is crucial for gaining insight into what we may be experiencing and seeking the appropriate interventions.
Both mild cognitive impairment and dementia affect cognitive function, but they are distinct in their symptoms, progression, and potential for treatment. As your Abilene, TX, functional medicine practice, Restore Wellness Centre team wants to help you better understand the differences between them — here are seven key things to know.
1. Mild Cognitive Impairment is More Than Just Age-Related Memory Loss
Noticeable changes in cognitive abilities, such as memory and thinking skills characterize mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The Alzheimer’s Society estimates that about 15-20% of those over 65 have MCI. It can make daily tasks like grocery shopping and attending appointments difficult, or cause you to forget words or lose the thread of a conversation. It affects daily life more than “senior moments,” which happen infrequently and can sometimes be compensated for by making lists or using memory aids.
MCI is divided into two main categories:
- Amnestic symptoms: Memory-related problems such as forgetting names, places, or conversations, or forgetting where you’ve put things.
- Non-amnestic symptoms: Problems with thinking skills that aren’t memory-related, like losing your train of thought, or your sense of time or direction, or having trouble focusing.
2. Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Affect Daily Life Differently
The difference between cognitive impairment and dementia lies primarily in the severity and impact on daily life. You could say mild cognitive impairment is the middle ground between age-related memory loss and dementia. While MCI involves mild changes — that, as we mentioned above, happen somewhat infrequently or can be compensated for — dementia encompasses a broader (and deeper) range of cognitive impairments.
Mild dementia symptoms are more pronounced and interfere with daily tasks, such as managing finances or remembering familiar routes. These symptoms affect a person’s ability to perform everyday activities independently and include:
- memory loss
- language difficulties
- impaired judgment
- changes in behavior
3. Not Everyone Who Has MCI Gets Dementia
The progression from MCI to dementia varies widely among individuals, and not everyone who has MCI goes on to have dementia. Research indicates that about 10-15% of people with MCI progress to dementia each year. However, progression is not inevitable, and some individuals may remain stable over time. If you’re experiencing symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, we recommend seeing your family doctor or one specializing in functional medicine, such as Drs. Ken or Shelia Patterson.
4. You Can Slow Down Cognitive Impairment and Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Currently, there aren’t treatments that reverse MCI or dementia, except if you are experiencing MCI because of things like a stroke or vascular disease, a traumatic brain injury, insomnia, depression or anxiety, or as a side effect of medication. In these cases, changing or stopping medications, or addressing insomnia, depression, or anxiety could reverse or even cure your MCI.
However, certain interventions may help slow the progression of MCI and reduce the chances of dementia, not to mention encourage a happy overall quality of life. These can include cognitive training exercises, a healthy, balanced diet, regular exercise, and social connection.
5. Seeking Professional Early Help Is Crucial
Early detection and intervention are critical to managing MCI and preventing dementia. Your doctors at Restore Wellness Centre can formulate a holistic treatment plan that includes nutrition and fitness that can help improve your brain health. We can also help you address factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol in preventing cognitive decline and dementia.
6. Alzheimer’s Disease is a Type of Dementia
So now you know that mild cognitive impairment and dementia are two separate conditions. But are “dementia” and “Alzheimer’s” the same? Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of cognitive disorders, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common type.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by the progressive degeneration of brain cells, leading to severe memory loss, confusion, and changes in behavior. The Mayo Clinic reports that memory symptoms of Alzheimer’s can be treated with cholinesterase inhibitors and Memantine (Namenda), but full treatment is still not available.
Getting Help with MCI or Dementia From Your Abilene Wellness Team
Understanding cognitive impairment vs. dementia is vital for recognizing the early signs and seeking appropriate care. While mild cognitive impairment can be a precursor to dementia, it does not always lead to it, and there are strategies to manage and potentially reverse cognitive decline. Focusing on healthy lifestyle choices and seeking timely medical advice can improve cognitive health and enhance your quality of life.
If you’re going through mild cognitive impairment or dementia, your Abilene, TX, functional medical doctors are ready to help you address your symptoms.
Contact us to set up an appointment.