DEMENTIA WITH LEWY BODIES
Dementia with Lewy bodies is the second most common type of Dementia the first being Alzheimer's.
It is commonly mistaken for Alzheimer's.
It is named after a German man who discovered the Disease his name was
Friedrich Heinrich Lewy
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Tiny deposits of protein build up in the nerve cells of the brain.
researchers don't fully understand why this happens but it is linked to low levels of acetylcholine and dopamine and a loss of connections between nerve cells that then die.
Dementia with Lewy body and Parkinson's disease are just two of several diseases which effect the brain and nervous system over time.
LB in the base of the brain is linked to movement this is the main feature of Parkinson's!
LB in the outer layer of the brain is linked to problems with mental abilities
(cognitive symptoms) this is a feature of dementia with Lewy bodies .
A person with this diagnosis will have a progressive decline in mental abilities the average life expectancy is from 6-12 years from diagnosis
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EARLY SIGNS Tremors ,shaking fingers, thumb or chin Loss of smell Trouble sleeping Dizziness ,fainting Constipation Trouble moving or walking Low voice Masked face Not being able to stand properly …..
SYMPTOMS Shaking Tremors Hallucinations These are often people and animals The person will be convinced that what they are seeing is real and this can last for several minutes. Hearing Knocking ,footsteps conversations that are not happening. A common delusion is that someone is out to get them. Strangers living in the house they may think their husband, wife is an intruder. This is extremely distressing for the carer. Movement problems a bit like Parkinson's (slow and rigid) Blank facial expression The person may Yell out Sleep disturbance This is common and may start several years before being diagnosed Incontinence They may feel faint lose consciousness Later stages Aggression Restlessness Yelling out Speech problems Unable to walk properly leading to falls Problems with swallowing Chest infections Risk of choking
Marina Barker
EARLY SIGNS Tremors ,shaking fingers, thumb or chin Loss of smell Trouble sleeping Dizziness ,fainting Constipation Trouble moving or walking Low voice Masked face Not being able to stand properly …..
SYMPTOMS Shaking Tremors Hallucinations These are often people and animals The person will be convinced that what they are seeing is real and this can last for several minutes. Hearing Knocking ,footsteps conversations that are not happening. A common delusion is that someone is out to get them. Strangers living in the house they may think their husband, wife is an intruder. This is extremely distressing for the carer. Movement problems a bit like Parkinson's (slow and rigid) Blank facial expression The person may Yell out Sleep disturbance This is common and may start several years before being diagnosed Incontinence They may feel faint lose consciousness Later stages Aggression Restlessness Yelling out Speech problems Unable to walk properly leading to falls Problems with swallowing Chest infections Risk of choking
Marina Barker