Lewy body dementia

In Lewy body dementia, Lewy bodies are found in the brain stem, cortex, and other areas of the brain. This causes a variety of symptoms that can be difficult to diagnose and treat.

There are two main types of Lewy body dementia: dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD).

DLB typically presents with dementia symptoms before or around the same time as motor symptoms, while PDD is diagnosed when motor symptoms appear first and dementia develops later.

?Symptoms of Lewy body dementia can include:

• Fluctuations in alertness and attention
• Visual hallucinations
• Movement disorders, such as tremors, stiffness, and shuffling gait
• Sleep disorders, such as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder
• Cognitive impairments, such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty with planning and problem-solving
• Behavioral and mood changes, such as depression, anxiety, and apathy

If you or someone you know is affected by Lewy body dementia, it's important to seek medical help as soon as possible. While there is currently no cure for the disease, there are medications and treatments that can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life, such as cholinesterase inhibitors, which can improve cognitive function, and certain antipsychotic medications, which can help manage hallucinations and other behavioral symptoms.

Remember, people with Lewy body dementia are still people. They have feelings, dreams, and memories that deserve to be cherished.  Let's raise awareness about this devastating disease and show our support for those affected by it.