Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms

Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a specific type of dementia with symptoms quite similar to Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Almost 10% of all dementia cases are DLB. Some experts refer to the same condition by other names – the list includes Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, LBD, cortical Lewy body dementia, and senile dementia of Lewy body type. It is worth mentioning that Lewy body dementia symptoms are quite confusing and are usually mistakenly diagnosed as several other conditions. It is therefore important to know the symptomsto identify the most suitable treatment option.

Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms
Some of the most common LBD signs and symptom include the following:

• Visual hallucinations: You may experience visual hallucinations, and see shapes, colors, people, or animals that aren't there in reality. Some people may also experience olfactory, auditory, or tactile hallucinations. Hallucinations are usually the earliest symptoms of LBD.


• Movement disorder: You may notice some symptoms common in patients of Parkinson's disease. This may include rigid muscles, slowed movement, shuffling walk, and tremors.


• Affected body functions: Your nervous system regulates pulse, Blood Pressure, and digestive process, and LBD affects that part. This usually leads to falls, dizziness, and bowl issues.


• Cognitive issues: You may notice cognitive problems that are usually common in Alzheimer's disease, such as reduced attention, confusion, and memory loss.


• Sleep issues: Many LBD patients experience a sleep disorder called rapid eye movement. This condition will make you act your dreams physically while you're still sleeping.


• Changing attention: You are more likely to face issues like long periods of staring into space, disorganized speech, and long naps during the day.

It is worth mentioning that as LBD affects that part of your nervous system that deals with automatic bodily functions, such as the heart, muscles, and glands, you may experience the following symptoms as well.

• Change in body temperature


• Fainting and dizziness


• Sensitivity to cold and heat


• Urinary Incontinence and sexual dysfunction


• A poor sense of smell

When to See a Doctor
If you think you or someone in your family has these early symptoms of dementia, it is a good idea to discuss it with your general physician. Your GP will perform certain tests to identify the causes behind Lewy body dementia symptoms to determine a plan of action.

Lewy Body Dementia Diagnosis
Just like other types of dementia, it is hard to pinpoint a test that will help make a decision about your condition. It is more of a "clinical" diagnosis, which means the doctor will use his/her knowledge to determine the cause of DLB in your case.

Differences Between Alzheimer's and DLB
It is important to mention that some experts believe that DLB and Parkinson's disease dementia are two different names of the same condition caused mainly due to brain's inability to process the protein alpha-synuclein. However, other experts think they are two different disorders. It's DLB if the earliest dementia symptoms point to DLB and both movement symptoms as well as dementia symptoms show at the same time.

It's Parkinson's disease when movement symptoms appear first and dementia symptoms don't appear at the same time – it usually takes a year or so for dementia symptoms to appear. Delusions and hallucinations are more common in DLB than in Alzheimer's disease. Similarly, REM sleep disorder, dizziness, blood pressure drop, urinary incontinence, and falls are more common in early LBD than in Alzheimer's disease.

Home Care for Lewy Body Dementia Sufferer
It is not easy to take care of someone suffering from LBD, but knowledge about certain things will definitely help make it easier for you to manage LBD symptoms better. The good thing is that patients can stay at home with their families, but they will always require close supervision because there are always chances of a fall.

• Keep active. It is important to encourage LBD patients to stay mentally, physically, and socially active for as long as possible. Daily physical exercise will help maintain a healthy body weight, which is extremely important in this condition. Encourage them to engage in mental activities such as games, puzzles, and reading. They may also opt for safe hobbies. It is important to ensure that all these activities are interactive.


• Remain social interaction. Social interaction is also important for people with LBD. You can take the patient to community centers where they organize several social events and give people a chance to engage in those activities.


• Care for diet. What's more, it is equally important to understand what a person with DLB should or should not eat. It is important to give patients plenty of vegetables and fruits, which in turn will prevent Obesity, malnutrition, and Constipation. It is important for the patients to stop smoking for safety reasons.

Medication for Dementia

Medication for Dementia

Dementia is a medical term that refers to a group of symptoms that progressively affect memory, thinking and social skills sufficiently to interfere with daily activities. Whilst most types of dementia cannot be cured, there are some medicationsfor dementia that can slow down the advancement of cognitive impairment.

Medication for Dementia
The medicines prescribed for dementia cannot totally stop or reverse the damage to brain cells, but they can slow down the symptoms or stabilize them. There are two types of medicines approved to treat dementia, namely cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine.

The following 2 stages of dementia have been identified which influence the type of treatment:

Early to Moderate Stages

• Type of medication: cholinesterase inhibitors to treat symptoms of memory loss and other cognitive impairment.


• Brand names: Razadyne, Aricept, Exelon


• Effects of medicine: cholinesterase inhibitors prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, which is a chemical messenger vital for learning and memory in the brain. Keeping acetylcholine levels high in turn keeps nerve communication high. 50% of patients taking this medicine report a delay in worsening symptoms for about 6-12 months.


• Common side effects: nausea, vomiting, increased bowel movements and loss of appetite.

Moderate to Severe Stages

• Type of medication: memantine


• Brand names: Namenda


• Effects of medicine: memantine is a type of medication for dementia which regulates glutamate (a chemical messenger) involved in memory and learning. It is prescribed to patients to improve cognitive abilities like memory, attention span, reasoning ability, etc. It is thought to delay worsening of symptoms related to dementia.


• Common side effects: Constipation, dizziness, confusion, Headache, etc.

Medications for Accompanying Symptoms of Dementia

Dementia is often accompanied by other symptoms, which are behavioural and psychological in nature. These can include aggression, agitation, insomnia, Depression, etc. Medication is often prescribed to control these other symptoms, in addition to the medications for dementia listed above.

Antipsychotics: they are also known as tranquilizers and are commonly prescribed to control aggression, agitation and delusions. Side effects of this group of drugs mimic symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, like shakiness, a shuffling gait and body stiffness. A previously common commercial medicine in this category is Haloperidol (Serenace). Newer products, like Risperidone (Risperdal), have fewer Parkinsonian side effects but may be associated with a higher risk of Stroke.

Antidepressants: depression is a common symptom of dementia and there is a host of commonly prescribed antidepressants available commercially.

Anti-anxiety medication: a group of drugs called benzodiazepines are used to treat anxiety and panic attacks in people with dementia. However, people being treated with benzodiazepines quickly develop a dependency and tolerance to them. This means that over time, the drugs become less effective and the dosage has to be increased to achieve the same effect as before. A well-known and commonly prescribed benzodiazepine is Valium.

Sleep aids: insomnia and night-time wandering can create many problems both for the patient with dementia and the caregivers. The side effect of sleeping Aids is the daytime drowsiness. Sleep aids should be prescribed as a last resort.

Important note:

Keep a detailed record of all your medicines and not just medication for dementia, which should include any alternative medications and over-the-counter remedies to prevent potential drug interactions. Your doctor and pharmacist must be made aware of any new medication you start on to ensure they don’t reduce or increase therapeutic blood levels of your existing medications.

Alternative Medicine and Supplements
Alternative remedies and dietary supplements are not very well regulated. There are very limited studies done to verify the manufacturers’ claims. Always speak to your doctor before you start taking any supplement.

These alternative therapies can be used to combat dementia:

• Vitamin E: it has been known to slow down nerve damage. However, it should be noted that larger doses of Vitamin E are dangerous to people with Heart Diseases.


• Omega-3 fatty acids: they are found naturally in nuts and fish, and have been proven to reduce mild cognitive impairment in addition to reducing your risk of heart diseases and strokes.


• Coenzyme Q10: this is found naturally in the body and is an antioxidant. Synthetic supplements are available but further studies are required to find the optimum dosage for the best results.


• Ginkgo: there is some conflicting evidence as to whether this extract from the Ginkgo Biloba tree has any antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on the brain cells.


• Relaxation: in addition to the medication for dementia, calming dementia patients down can also reduce agitation and anxiety. Listening to soothing music, playing with pets, use of aromatherapy or massage can all induce relaxation to minimize the frustration and aggression experienced by patients.

Lewy Body Dementia Stages

Lewy Body Dementia Stages

Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) is a condition characterized by severe mental disability caused by abnormal protein deposits called alpha-synuclein (or Lewy bodies) in the brain. These deposits affect the chemicals in the brain causing changes, which in turn, lead to thinking and movement disorders, as well as behavior and mood changes. It is a common cause of dementia, just like Alzheimer's disease and other vascular diseases.

Lewy body dementia involves changes that affect one's ability to perform normal activities such as personal care, household tasks, and other types of work. There are two types of the disease: one is dementia with Lewy bodies and the other is Parkinson's disease dementia. They have similar symptoms and may be difficult to distinguish from one another. These conditions are also similar to other disorders characterized by dementia such as Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, they may also occur at the same time in an individual.

Lewy Body Dementia Stages and Symptoms
LBD is a condition that affects the elderly, with symptoms typically beginning at age 50 onwards. However, sometimes, younger individuals may be affected. It appears to be more common in men than women.

Symptoms appear progressively, and may start gradually, only to worsen over time. Lewy body dementia lasts an average of 5-7 years from its diagnosis till death, although one's time span can range from 2-20 years, depending on the patient's age, overall health, and severity of the disease.

Early Stage Dementia with Lewy Bodies
In the early Lewy body dementia stages, usually before diagnosis, symptoms are mild, so patients can function normally. With advancement of the disease, mental and functional abilities decline, and patients require more help. In later stages, they become entirely dependent on others for support and care.

In early stage, symptoms may include visual hallucinations, decreased alertness and slowing of movements. In older people, these are sometimes mistaken as signs of physical illness such as an infection. However, symptoms persist long after the infection has resolved.

Late Stage Dementia with Lewy Bodies
As one gets to late Lewy body dementia stages, both mental and movement symptoms will be more serious and evident. For example, patients will have evident memory loss and delusions. They may become restless at night, and they may thrash and throw off bed sheets while asleep. And in worst condition, life-threatening infections would also occur.

Other symptoms may also become more frequent, including:

• Mental problems: forgetfulness, loss of interest, difficulty concentrating, visual problems, difficulties with spatial awareness, slower thinking and mental confusion.


• Motor problems: Parkinsonism (slow, small movements), shuffling walk, stiff limbs, and tremor.


• Psychiatric problems: agitation, hallucinations, delusions, sleepwalking, mood swings, aggression, anxiety, obsessive/compulsive symptoms and Depression.


• Sleep disorders: daytime sleepiness, trouble sleeping at night, difficulty staying asleep, restless legs syndrome, scary dreams, or acting out dreams.


• Autonomic dysfunction: dry skin, irregular heartbeat, decreased Blood Pressure, dizzy spells, poor regulation of body temperature, and bladder/bowel problems.

Diagnosing Lewy Body Dementia
It may be difficult to differentiate Lewy body dementia stages from other disorders characterized by loss of mental ability, especially in the elderly. There are many different causes of dementia symptoms and it is important to determine if the underlying cause is reversible with treatment.

Currently, there is no sure way to confirm LBD in a living patient. The definitive diagnosis is possible only at autopsy during the microscopic examination of the brain showing the presence of Lewy bodies. This means that a clinical diagnosis is usually made only on the basis of symptoms, medical history, some test results, and response to treatment.

Differences Between Alzheimer's and DLB
The differences are closed related to symptoms in different Lewy body dementia stages and that of Alzheimer's.

• Memory loss is more obvious with early Alzheimer's; with DLB, memory issues and problems with planning, judgment and visual perception are more likely to occur in an advanced stage.


• Movement problems and disability are more common in early DLB; with Alzheimer's, similar problems such as difficulty walking or balancing happen in moderate and severe stages.


• Compared to Alzheimer's, delusions, hallucinations, REM sleep disorder, and failure to identify faMiliar people are more common in the early stages of DLB.


• Furthermore, people who have DLB are more likely to experience autonomic nervous system dysfunction, causing them to feel dizzy on standing because of a drop in blood pressure, to sustain more falls, and to suffer from Urinary Incontinence, than those with Alzheimer's.

Managing/Living with Lewy Body Dementia
A person who is diagnosed with LBD must consult a neurologist who specializes in the treatment of dementia and other movement disorders. These doctors are often found in academic medical centers in large communities. However, a general neurologist can also be part of a medical team, which could be referred by your primary care physician.

There is no cure for LBD, but some symptoms temporarily respond to treatment.

1. Drug Therapy
Drug therapy is the mainstay of treatment for dementia with Lewy bodies and is much like that of Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease.

• These include acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, which help decrease confusion and mental instability, agitation and hallucinations.Atypical neuroleptic or antipsychotic drug is typically the first choice for agitation and hallucinations. It is important to treat these symptoms because they can result in accidents, injuriesor unsafe behavior. However, standard antipsychotic drugs (haloperidol) are not recommended because many people with LBD may be extremely sensitive to them.


• Other drugs that are widely used to relieve symptoms include antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor (MAOI), and tricyclic antidepressants. In older people, combining these drugs is not usually recommended to avoid severe side effects.


• Some research suggests the use of vitamin E to slow the progression of dementia in Alzheimer's disease, but there is still no proof that this antioxidant works in LBD.

2. Non Non-Medical Therapies
Other non-medical therapies include diet, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy to help manage symptoms. Neurologists can work with healthcare providers to manage particular symptoms through various Lewy body dementia stagessuch as:

• Physical therapists, to help manage movement problems using general physical fitness programs, strengthening, cardiovascular, and flexibility exercises, and gait training.


• Speech therapists, to help improve voice volume, projection, and difficulties with swallowing.


• Occupational therapists, to help the patient carry out daily activities independently, such as bathing and eating.


• Music or art therapists, to provide meaningful activities to help improve well-being and reduce anxiety.


• Mental health counselors, to help patients and their families learn how to cope with behaviorsand emotions and to help plan for their future.

3. Support
Another valuable resource is support groups for people with LBD as well as their caregivers. These groups encourage sharing of experiences and tips with people in the same situation to identify practical solutions for daily challenges and to get social and emotional support.

Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms

Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a specific type of dementia with symptoms quite similar to Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. Almost 10% of all dementia cases are DLB. Some experts refer to the same condition by other names – the list includes Lewy body variant of Alzheimer's disease, LBD, cortical Lewy body dementia, and senile dementia of Lewy body type. It is worth mentioning that Lewy body dementia symptoms are quite confusing and are usually mistakenly diagnosed as several other conditions. It is therefore important to know the symptomsto identify the most suitable treatment option.

Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms
Some of the most common LBD signs and symptom include the following:

• Visual hallucinations: You may experience visual hallucinations, and see shapes, colors, people, or animals that aren't there in reality. Some people may also experience olfactory, auditory, or tactile hallucinations. Hallucinations are usually the earliest symptoms of LBD.


• Movement disorder: You may notice some symptoms common in patients of Parkinson's disease. This may include rigid muscles, slowed movement, shuffling walk, and tremors.


• Affected body functions: Your nervous system regulates pulse, Blood Pressure, and digestive process, and LBD affects that part. This usually leads to falls, dizziness, and bowl issues.


• Cognitive issues: You may notice cognitive problems that are usually common in Alzheimer's disease, such as reduced attention, confusion, and memory loss.


• Sleep issues: Many LBD patients experience a sleep disorder called rapid eye movement. This condition will make you act your dreams physically while you're still sleeping.


• Changing attention: You are more likely to face issues like long periods of staring into space, disorganized speech, and long naps during the day.

It is worth mentioning that as LBD affects that part of your nervous system that deals with automatic bodily functions, such as the heart, muscles, and glands, you may experience the following symptoms as well.

• Change in body temperature


• Fainting and dizziness


• Sensitivity to cold and heat


• Urinary Incontinence and sexual dysfunction


• A poor sense of smell

When to See a Doctor
If you think you or someone in your family has these early symptoms of dementia, it is a good idea to discuss it with your general physician. Your GP will perform certain tests to identify the causes behind Lewy body dementia symptoms to determine a plan of action.

Lewy Body Dementia Diagnosis
Just like other types of dementia, it is hard to pinpoint a test that will help make a decision about your condition. It is more of a "clinical" diagnosis, which means the doctor will use his/her knowledge to determine the cause of DLB in your case.

Differences Between Alzheimer's and DLB
It is important to mention that some experts believe that DLB and Parkinson's disease dementia are two different names of the same condition caused mainly due to brain's inability to process the protein alpha-synuclein. However, other experts think they are two different disorders. It's DLB if the earliest dementia symptoms point to DLB and both movement symptoms as well as dementia symptoms show at the same time.

It's Parkinson's disease when movement symptoms appear first and dementia symptoms don't appear at the same time – it usually takes a year or so for dementia symptoms to appear. Delusions and hallucinations are more common in DLB than in Alzheimer's disease. Similarly, REM sleep disorder, dizziness, blood pressure drop, urinary incontinence, and falls are more common in early LBD than in Alzheimer's disease.

Home Care for Lewy Body Dementia Sufferer
It is not easy to take care of someone suffering from LBD, but knowledge about certain things will definitely help make it easier for you to manage LBD symptoms better. The good thing is that patients can stay at home with their families, but they will always require close supervision because there are always chances of a fall.

• Keep active. It is important to encourage LBD patients to stay mentally, physically, and socially active for as long as possible. Daily physical exercise will help maintain a healthy body weight, which is extremely important in this condition. Encourage them to engage in mental activities such as games, puzzles, and reading. They may also opt for safe hobbies. It is important to ensure that all these activities are interactive.


• Remain social interaction. Social interaction is also important for people with LBD. You can take the patient to community centers where they organize several social events and give people a chance to engage in those activities.


• Care for diet. What's more, it is equally important to understand what a person with DLB should or should not eat. It is important to give patients plenty of vegetables and fruits, which in turn will prevent Obesity, malnutrition, and Constipation. It is important for the patients to stop smoking for safety reasons.

Dementia

Dementia






Dementia is characterized by memory loss and several other symptoms that affect your daily routine activities. This disorder is marked by impairment of mental functions like thinking, reasoning and memory. Dementia is not a disease by itself but reflects a group of symptoms that affect one’s social abilities. A person having loss of memory alone does not indicate that he has dementia. Individuals affected with this disorder will have impaired judgment and inability to carry on certain daily activities like checking calls, paying bills etc. People with dementia will even forget the names of intimate people and there will be changes in their behavior. Dementia is treatable based on certain types.

Symptoms :

Some of the common symptoms of dementia are loss of memory, poor concentration, difficulty in talking, difficulty in organizing things, problems in orientation, impairment of motor functions, impaired judgment, changes in personality, agitation, paranoia and hallucinations or day-dreaming. Symptoms may vary with respect to the intensity of damage caused to be nerve cells of the brain.

Types :

Progressive dementia is one that worsens over time and the symptoms cannot be reduced. Alzheimer’s disease occurs for old age people who are above 60 years. It is one of the major causes of dementia. Defective gene can be the root cause for Alzheimer’s disease. It is believed that plaque like substances are found in the brains of individuals who are affected with Alzheimer’s disease. It can also develop due to hereditary factor.

This disorder makes slow progress reducing your cognitive abilities gradually. Lewy body dementia is seen on 10-20% of people with this disorder in which abnormal bodies of protein are found inside the brain. Individuals with Lewy body dementia will have rapid eye movement disorder in which they hurt themselves and also others.

Vascular dementia in one in which blood supply is insufficient to the blood vessels of the brain. It can occur due to heart problems or Stroke or circulatory disorders. Frontotemporal dementia is a rare form that attacks young adults of age group of 35-40. It occurs due to the degeneration of nerve cells on the Frontal Lobes of the brain.

Causes :

Dementia is believed to be caused by damage of nerve cells. Certain areas of the brain may get affected and hence it may affect the people in different ways. Dementia is grouped according to the area of the brain that is affected. Dementia can occur as side effect of certain medicines or infection and this stage is reversible if treated properly.

Dementia occurs due to degeneration of nerve cells, lack of blood supply to the blood vessels in the brain and toxic reactions caused by consumption of alcohol. Deficiency of vitamin B12 and folic acid deficiency can cause dementia. Dementia can occur due to infections like AIDS or Creutzfeldt Jakob disease that affects the spinal cord and brain. Swelling of brain tissues due to excess of fluid can cause this problem. Head injury, brain tumors and chronic injuries that occur due to repeated falls can affect the functioning of brain. Certain illness in the liver and kidney can cause dementia.

Who are at risk?

People of old age (65-75 years or even more) are likely to develop dementia. Some form of dementia is observed in about 5-8% of people above 60 years and about 50% of the people above 80 years will have dementia symptoms. Individuals with family history of dementia are likely to develop this disorder in old age. People with genetic mutations may suffer from dementia. You can reduce the risk of getting dementia by reducing alcohol intake, by managing Blood Pressure and cholesterol, and by reducing your weight and controlling diabetes.

Treatable Dementia :

Dementia caused by substance abuse or alcohol (in excess), brain tumors, Hypothyroidism and hypoglycemia, and Hydrocephalus and other forms of dementia caused by metabolic disorders can be treated fully.

Dementia That Cannot be Treated :

Dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, multiple strokes, Creutzfeldt Jakob disease and AIDS dementia cannot be treated.

Complications :

Dementia in long term can affect the normal functions of your body systems and you may end up with inadequate nutrition, and lack of hygiene. Some people will have difficulty in taking medications, difficulty in communicating, and sleeping problems.

Tests :

Your doctor will collect the medical history after physical examination. He may order for cognitive function test, neurological evaluation for detecting balancing and reflex action. He may conduct CT scan of your brain, blood culture for checking the nutritional level and (if required) refer your case to psychiatrist for psychological evaluation.

Treatment :

No treatment is available for dementia but doctors will give medications to control the symptoms. Cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil, rivastigmine and galantamine are prescribed for boosting memory. Memantine drugs like Namenda is given for regulating the brain functions.

Based on individual’s symptom and intensity, your doctor may prescribe other medications also. Some people would need to learn occupational therapy for adjusting with daily activities. It would help you if you stay away from noisy environment and you can always simplify the tasks to perform it easily.

Lifestyle Changes :

If your loved ones are suffering from dementia, you can talk slowly in simple phrases giving slow instructions. Motivate them to take part in physical exercises, games and other brain activities. Make sure that they are going to bed in regular time in relaxed mood and keep the lights on to prevent them from falling. Take help from support groups and other family members.

Prevention :

You cannot prevent dementia but you can reduce the risk. Engage in mind stimulating activities like puzzles and word games which would delay the symptoms. Do regular exercises and be active. Avoid alcohol and quit smoking. Keep your blood pressure under control and eat a healthy diet.