Lewy Body Dementia
by:
Lynn
Lewy Body dementia is another type of dementia and accounts for approximately 20% of dementia cases. Lewy Body Disease is twice as common in males than in females, where Alzheimer’s is equally found in both genders.
Lewy Body Disease is comprised of a spectrum of diseases involving an array of dementia and motor symptoms. The dementia of Lewy Body is similar to that of Alzheimer’s, however, many symptoms appear to mimic Parkinson’s. UNLIKE people with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, patients with Lewy Body exhibit:
- Strong psychotic symptoms (hallucinations)
- Parkinson’s signs like tremors or rigidity
- Day-to-day symptom variability (fluctuations in confusion and clear thinking)
- People will often have a condition called REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) that involves acting out dreams and kicking during sleep
- Delusions or depression
- Fluctuation in autonomic processes, including blood pressure, body temperature, urinary difficulties, constipation, and difficulty swallowing
Some of the motor symptoms found in both Parkinson’s and Lewy Body:
- Tremors
- Muscle stiffness
- Difficulties with balance
- Shuffling gait
- Stooped posture
- Slow movements
- Restless leg syndrome
Some of the cognitive symptoms found in Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body’s patients:
- Behavioral changes
- Decreased judgment
- Confusion and temporal/spatial orientation
- Decreased ability to communicate