Have You Suffered From Lewy Body Dementia? |
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Learn about Dementia and how we can help. |
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Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a type of progressive dementia that leads to the decline in thinking, reasoning, and independent function. Its features may include spontaneous changes in attention and alertness, recurring visual hallucinations, REM sleep behavior disorder, slow movement, tremors, or rigidity. Dementia with lewy bodies is the second most common type of progressive dementia after Alzheimer's disease. Protein deposits, called Lewy bodies, develop in nerve cells in the brain regions involved in thinking, memory and movement (motor control). |
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What are symptoms of LBD? |
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Every symptom associated with LBD may not be expressed by people with this disease, but the most common symptoms include: Visual hallucinations - seeing things that aren't there may be one of the first symptoms, and they often recur Movement disorders - signs of Parkinson's disease (parkinsonian signs), such as slowed movement, rigid muscles, tremor or a shuffling walk can occur and could lead to falling Poor regulation of body functions (autonomic nervous system) - blood pressure, pulse, sweating, and the digestive process are regulated by a part of the nervous system that is often affected by LBD Cognitive problems - thinking (cognitive) problems similar to those of Alzheimer's disease, such as confusion, poor attention, visual-spatial problems, and memory loss. Sleep difficulties - rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder Fluctuating attention - episodes of drowsiness, long periods of staring into space, long naps during the day, or disorganized speech are possible Depression Apathy - loss of motivation
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What causes Lewy body dementia? |
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Lewy body dementia is characterized by the abnormal buildup of proteins into masses known as Lewy bodies. This protein is also associated with Parkinson's disease. People who have Lewy bodies in their brains also have the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease. |
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What are the risk factors of LBD? |
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A few factors seem to increase the risk of developing Lewy body dementia, including: Age - people older than 60 are at greater risk Sex - LBD affects more men than women Family history - those who have a family member with LBD or Parkinson's disease are at an increaded risk
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How is Lewy body dementia diagnosed? |
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A diagnosis of Lewy body dementia requires a progressive decline in your ability to think, as well as at least two of the following: Fluctuating alertness and thinking function Repeated visual hallucinations Parkinsonian symptoms REM sleep behavior disorder, in which people act out their dreams during sleep
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Treatment and care may relieve some symptoms of LBD though cure and prevention do not currently exist. Some medications may be involved in an LBD treatment plan such as: Cholinesterase inhibitors - Alzheimer's disease medications work by increasing the levels of chemical messengers in the brain Parkinson's disease medications - may help reduce symptoms, such as rigid muscles and slow movement Medications to treat other symptoms
However, these medications may also increase confusion, hallucinations, and delusions. |
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People with LBD may benefit from physical therapy and exercise at Neuro Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine. Because antipsychotic drugs can worsen LBD symptoms, our physical therapists are helpful in first try nondrug approaches. For patients with prominent balance issues, shuffling gait, and Parkinsonian features, we can facilitate lower extremity range of motion which movement and motor function overall have potential to improve, especially in the legs. Our PTs may involve therapeutic activies such as balance, dancing, and leg strengthening exercises. | | |
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