Are Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia the Same Thing?

Nov 11

Written By Dr. Jessica Knape

*Medically Reviewed by Dr Jessica Knape, MD MA*

Overview

Dementia is a general term for problems with memory and thinking that affect daily life.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia — but not the only one.
Other causes include vascular, Lewy body, and frontotemporal dementia and toxic.
Early, root-cause evaluation can uncover reversible contributors like hormone imbalance, inflammation, toxin exposure, or metabolic issues.
Functional and precision medicine approaches, such as the Bredesen/ReCODE model, may help slow or even reverse decline when started early.

Key Points

Dementia Is an Umbrella Term: It describes a group of symptoms that interfere with memory and daily function.
Alzheimer’s Has a Specific Pattern: It involves abnormal brain proteins (amyloid and tau) and typically starts with memory loss that worsens over time.
Many Factors Can Contribute: Inflammation, vascular disease, sleep problems, metabolic dysfunction, and toxin exposure can mimic or worsen dementia.
Some Causes Are Reversible: Thyroid imbalance, nutrient deficiencies, medication side effects, and sleep disorders can all cause cognitive symptoms that improve with treatment.
Early Detection Is Critical: Identifying changes early gives the best chance of slowing or preventing decline.
Precision Medicine Adds Insight: Tools like IntellxxDNA reveal genetic and metabolic vulnerabilities, guiding individualized prevention plans.
Regular Monitoring Matters: Cognitive testing and lab reviews ensure timely adjustments to your care plan.

Let’s Break This Down Simply

“Dementia” isn’t one disease — it’s a broad term for problems with memory, thinking, or communication that disrupt daily life.

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause, making up about 60–80% of cases. It’s marked by gradual memory loss, language difficulty, and changes in reasoning or independence.

But not all dementia is Alzheimer’s, and not all memory loss is permanent. Sleep disorders, hormonal imbalance, medications, and inflammation can create symptoms that look like dementia — but can improve when treated.

That’s why early testing, especially through a root-cause and functional medicine approach, is so valuable. It allows doctors to identify reversible factors before lasting damage occurs.

Who It Helps (and Who Should Be Screened Early)

A precision medicine approach can benefit:

Adults noticing forgetfulness, brain fog, or slower thinking.
Women in perimenopause or menopause, when hormonal changes can affect cognition.
Individuals with a family history of Alzheimer’s or dementia.
People with insulin resistance, metabolic issues, or chronic inflammation.
Caregivers noticing subtle memory or mood changes in loved ones.

You don’t need to wait for severe symptoms. Early, subtle changes often signal treatable metabolic or inflammatory imbalances.

Early Identification, Monitoring & Prevention

Functional and precision medicine focus on uncovering why brain function is changing — not just labeling it.

The process usually includes:

Cognitive Testing: Baseline tools like the MoCA or CNS Vital Signs track changes over time.
Comprehensive Labs: Check thyroid, insulin sensitivity, inflammation (CRP, homocysteine), and nutrient levels (B12, vitamin D, omega-3s).
Hormonal & Genomic Review: Especially useful for midlife women; genomics (like IntellxxDNA) helps uncover risk patterns in detoxification, inflammation, and brain repair.
Lifestyle Mapping: Assess sleep, diet, stress, and toxin exposures to pinpoint triggers.
Regular Follow-Up: Review labs and cognitive results every 3–6 months to monitor progress.

Daily prevention habits:

Get 7–8 hours of quality sleep.
Eat a Mediterranean or MIND-style anti-inflammatory diet.
Exercise daily — especially strength training and walking.
Manage stress with breathwork, mindfulness, or time outdoors.
Stay hydrated and support detox pathways.
Keep your brain active — learn new skills, connect socially, and stay curious.

Risks, Side Effects & Safety

Working on brain health through precision medicine is generally low-risk, but a few things to keep in mind:

Possible downsides:

Temporary fatigue or emotional changes during detox or hormone balancing.
Sensitivity to supplements or nutrient shifts.
Adjustment periods as sleep and metabolism improve.

Safety measures:

Medical supervision and personalization are essential.
Repeat labs every 3–6 months to ensure balance.
Always review potential drug or supplement interactions with your clinician.

Seek emergency care if you experience sudden confusion, speech difficulty, weakness, or vision loss — symptoms that could signal a stroke or other urgent condition.

How We Approach This at Healthspan Internal Medicine

At Healthspan Internal Medicine in Boulder, CO, Dr. Jessica Knape, MD, MA, combines functional medicine, Bredesen/ReCODE protocols, and IntellxxDNA genomics to detect and treat early cognitive changes.

Our approach includes:

In-Depth Intake: Reviewing medical history, lifestyle, and environmental exposures.
Advanced Testing: Comprehensive labs, genomic analysis, and—when indicated—brain imaging.
Personalized Plan: Integrating nutrition, detoxification, hormone balance, movement, and cognitive training.
Ongoing Monitoring: Reassessing cognition, biomarkers, and overall well-being every few months.

The goal isn’t just to slow decline — it’s to strengthen your brain’s resilience for the long term.

When to Seek Care

Reach out for evaluation if you or a loved one experience:

Rapid memory loss or new confusion.
Difficulty speaking, walking, or managing daily tasks.
Noticeable personality or mood changes.
Disorientation to time, place, or people.

Early action can make all the difference — both for prevention and for recovery of reversible causes.

Sources

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Jessica Knape, MD, MA
Healthspan Internal Medicine — serving patients in Boulder, CO

Book a Discovery Call | About Dr. Knape

This content is for educational purposes and does not replace personalized medical advice.

Dr. Jessica Knape https://www.healthspaninternalmedicine.com