Many individuals commonly know Alzheimer’s disease, but it wasn’t until 2015 that Lewy Body Dementia, also known as LBD, became better known. It is the most common type of dementia following Alzheimer’s. The research for this debilitating and crippling disease is because the focus has been on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s because it was thought to be very rare. In the late 1990’s, researchers became aware of how common LBD is. This disease can overlap with symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and come from deposits with the tissue of the brain.
Progressive Decline In Mental Abilities
The dementia stages of LBD can take years to define, and many individuals are incorrectly diagnosed resulting in the incorrect treatment. Visual hallucinations can take the form of objects, including people or animals who aren’t there as the disease progresses. Fluctuations in an individual’s alertness or attention, daytime drowsiness or staring into space are other symptoms an individual can have.
Overlapping Symptoms
Parkinson’s disease has similar symptoms of LBD and can result in rigid muscles, slowed movement and tremors. The protein deposits called Lewy bodies in the nerve cells of the brain begin to affect an individual’s thinking, motor control, and memory. The exact cause of the disease isn’t known, and further research needs to be done to determine if it’s related to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease.
Receiving The Correct Diagnosis
There are many physicians who aren’t familiar with LBD, and patients can be easily misdiagnosed until they receive an examination from a neurologist. This type of doctor is highly trained in disorders of the nervous system and the brain and have the knowledge needed for a proper diagnosis. Neuropsychologists and geriatric psychiatrists and geriatricians often have the skill for to diagnose the condition.
Testing Available
Unfortunately, there are no medical tests or brain scans that can diagnose LBD. After an individual’s death, a brain autopsy can be performed to confirm the disease. There is another testing available that include physical and neurological examinations, and brain imaging that can detect brain shrinkage and other abnormalities.
The best treatment, research, and clinical trials are from Lewy Body Dementia Resource Center in New York. They can support caregivers, families, and patients in choosing the best care possible. Their strides in research and earlier diagnosing of the disease requires the support of awareness programs, workshops, presentations and tributes and memories of the individuals who have suffered from this disease. Please feel free to visit here for details.
Dementia Stages 