Lewy Body Dementia: Understanding Symptoms, Prognosis, & Care
- Monet Fisette
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
Content
What is Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)?
Signs & Symptoms
Prognosis & Treatment
Tips for Caregivers
FAQ's
Sources
What is Lewy Body Dementia (LBD)?
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is a specific form of dementia or mental disorder caused by the buildup of proteins within the brain. These protein clumps are referred to as "Lewy bodies" and they can accumulate in different areas of the brain, leading to decreased brain function. LBD is not considered genetic and is the second most common type of dementia following Alzheimer's disease and is an umbrella term that encompasses Dementia with Lewy Bodies (DLB) and Parkinsons' Disease Dementia (PDD).
LBD is commonly presented in three different ways:
1. Movement disorder/Parkinson's Disease which develops into Dementia
2. Cognitive disorder (Often misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's) which develops into Dementia with Lewy Bodies
3. Hallucinations & Behavioral Issues which develops into Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Signs & Symptoms
There is a wide variety of symptoms that can result from Lewy Body Dementia. General dementia symptoms that are not necessarily unique to LBD include gradual memory loss, difficulty speaking and understanding others, struggling to pay attention or problem-solve, sundowning, and thinking slowly.
Some symptoms commonly used to distinguish Lewy Body Dementia from other types of dementia are:
hallucinations (very common in LBD cases and can be an early sign)
fainting and dizziness
difficulty swallowing
depression, anxiety, and paranoia
Quick changes between typical and atypical behavior
Punching, kicking, and screaming while asleep (REM Sleep Behavior Disorder)
Many of the symptoms of Lewy Body Dementia overlap with other forms of dementia, so it is important that when suspecting LBD, one visits a physician to rule out other diagnoses to receive proper treatment. Physicians may use a variety of diagnostic methods to identify the disease, such as blood tests, sleep studies, and brain scans.
Prognosis & Treatment
There is currently no cure or reversal for Lewy Body Dementia, however, if diagnosed early, progression of the disease can be slowed down to increase lifespan and maintain quality of life. On average, individuals with LBD live five to eight years after diagnosis, but depending on factors such as how early/late diagnosis was made, patients can live shorter or longer. Individuals with LBD should be highly monitored later in diagnosis, as they can be prone to falls, may have issues swallowing, are more susceptible to illnesses, and may develop suicidal tendencies.
Treatment for LBD can include various medications used to treat symptoms of the disease such as hallucinations, physical therapy to help with movement disorders and difficulties, and counseling for managing depression and anxiety. Since there is no reversal of the disease, the aim of treatment should be to target symptoms with the goal of improving quality of life, providing comfort to the individual, and preventing further health issues and complications.
Tips for Caregivers
Being a caregiver for someone with Lewy Body Dementia can be mentally taxing and stressful, especially if you are not a trained caregiver. It is best to discuss your role as a caregiver with a healthcare professional, but some tips include:
Seeking therapy for yourself - While caregiving for another person, you are most beneficial when you are also taken care of, both physically and mentally. It is very easy to put yourself last when taking care of another person, so seeking therapy for developing coping mechanisms for stress and supporting your own mental health is crucial to being an effective caregiver.
Knowing when to say "enough" - As previously mentioned, it can be easy to put yourself last when providing for someone else. If you recognize that your health is declining as a result of you caring for another person, it is important to evaluate whether you should continue caring for that person, or should look into finding outside help such as an in-home health aide or an assisted living facility. It is important to consult with a healthcare professional about these options so they can point you towards the best choice for your circumstances. Additionally, if your loved one has become aggressive or dangerous, it is important to reach out to a professional immediately to ensure the safety of yourself and your loved one.
Maintain a routine - Individuals suffering from cognitive decline work best when provided with a routine. Try to maintain as consistent of a routine as possible and when changes must be made, carefully ease the loved one into the situation.
Let things go - Taking care of a patient or loved one with dementia often means repeating yourself several times, moving objects back into their places, and restricting the individual from wandering. With Lewy Body Dementia, the individual may also talk about their hallucinations and become frustrated when you don't understand or see what they are seeing. The best way to deal with this is by letting things go (as long as it is not unsafe). If you find yourself becoming frustrated, remove yourself from the situation for a short period to regather yourself. If you have to repeat yourself, refrain from using phrases like "I already told you," and "I just said that." Instead, Just repeat yourself again as if it is the first time. If your loved one likes to move things around, wait until they leave the room and then move the object back into the correct position. If your loved one tries to wander off, take them carefully by the hand and direct them elsewhere with a distraction.
Place yourself in their shoes - It is important to remember when caring for someone with dementia that their brains are not operating typically, and they often develop depression and anxiety as a result of their illness. Imagine how you yourself would feel if you knew you were different but didn't know why, or if you couldn't remember simple movements or words. Developing this disorder often means losing your independence, no longer being able to remember words, memories, or faces, and seeing things that the people around you tell you aren't there. Remember to remind yourself as a caretaker of what your loved one must be going through, and remain compassionate and loving with your loved one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What populations are more susceptible to Lewy Body Dementia?
A: LBD is most commonly seen in males over the age of 60 years old, but can be seen in both sexes.
Q: How do I know if I or a loved one have LBD?
A: LBD can be difficult to identify as it shares many symptoms with other cognitive disorders, but one of the most unique signs to LBD is visual hallucinations (usually of people or animals) which typically appear early on.
Q: How common is LBD?
A: About 1.4 million Americans live with LBD and it is the second most common type of dementia.
Q: Is LBD a genetic disorder?
A: LBD is not known to be caused by any specific genes, however, there have been genetic variants linked to a higher risk of developing the disease.
Sources
Alzheimer's.gov. “What Is Lewy Body Dementia? | National Institute on Aging.” Www.nia.nih.gov, 1 Apr. 2024, www.alzheimers.gov/alzheimers-dementias/lewy-body-dementia.
Cleveland Clinic. “Lewy Body Dementia | Cleveland Clinic.” Cleveland Clinic, 2018, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17815-lewy-body-dementia.
Graff-Radford, Jonathan. “Sundowning: Tips for Dealing with Late-Day Confusion.” Mayo Clinic, 2019, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/expert-answers/sundowning/faq-20058511.
Lewy Body Dementia Association. “10 Things You Should Know about LBD.” Lewy Body Dementia Association, 13 Feb. 2011, www.lbda.org/10-things-you-should-know-about-lbd/.
Lewy Body Dementia Association. BEHAVIORAL CHANGES in LEWY BODY DEMENTIA Care Brief #1 -Introduction and Overview. www.lbda.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/behavioral_changes_in_lbd.pdf.
Mayo Clinic. “Lewy Body Dementia - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Clinic, 8 June 2021, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/lewy-body-dementia/symptoms-causes/syc-20352025.
NHS. “Overview - Dementia with Lewy Bodies.” NHS, NHS, 2019, www.nhs.uk/conditions/dementia-with-lewy-bodies/.
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