Lewy body dementia, LBD, might not be a term you are familiar with, yet LBD impacts up to 1.4 million individuals and their families in the US and is second leading cause degenerative dementia (Alzheimer’s is leading cause).

Knowing the most common symptoms of Lewy body dementia is critical to early detection and conversations with your medical provider.  Because symptoms are often similar to diseases such as Parkinson’s, LBD may go undiagnosed or properly treated for some time.

Common Lewy Body Dementia Symptoms Include:

 

Impaired thinking, such as loss of executive function (planning, processing information), memory, or the ability to understand visual information.

Fluctuations in cognition, attention or alertness;

Problems with movement including tremors, stiffness, slowness and difficulty walking

Visual hallucinations (seeing things that are not present)

Sleep disorders, such as acting out one’s dreams while asleep

Behavioral and mood symptoms, including depression, apathy, anxiety, agitation, delusions or paranoia

Changes in autonomic body functions, such as blood pressure control, temperature regulation, and bladder and bowel function.

Source: Lewy Body Dementia Foundation

 

As LBD progresses the individual will need more care either at home or in a residential facility such as The Memory Center communities dedicated to helping those living with memory loss including Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Find out how you an get involved in the fight against Lewy body dementia, get caregiver tips or more information.