What is Lewy body dementia?
Lewy body dementia is a type of “dementia”. The disease causes memory problems and affects thinking function.
The cause of dementia with Lewy bodies is not known. People with Lewy body dementia have a lesion in the brain called Lewy’s microsomes.
What are the symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies?
The main symptoms include.
1. Problems making decisions, thinking clearly, or concentrating.
Seeing things that aren’t actually there: Doctors call this “hallucination”. These things include colors, shapes, animals, or people.
3. Becoming sleepy, drowsy, or acting strangely: The person may doze off for long periods of time during the day. Symptoms of sleepiness, drowsiness, or acting strangely may last from a few minutes to several days.
4. Mobility problems: Similar to the motor problems of another brain disease, Parkinson’s disease.
Other symptoms of Lewy body dementia include
1. Interpreting sleep sleepwalking during sleep: Patients may hit people, eat, talk or do something else they dream about while dreaming.
2. frequent falls.
3, fainting or loss of consciousness.
4, leakage of urine.
5. depression.
6. believing things that are not real: For example, a person with Lewy body dementia may suspect that his or her house is not really home.
Should I see a doctor or nurse?
Yes, you should see a doctor if you think you or someone close to you is experiencing symptoms of Lewy body dementia. A doctor may be able to address these problems caused by different conditions. For example, people with diabetes may behave confusingly when their blood sugar is not normal.
Do I need to get tested?
It may be necessary. Your doctor or nurse will do an exam and talk to you about your symptoms. They will also ask people close to you about any symptoms you have noticed.
Your doctor or nurse may do some tests to see if you have Lewy body dementia or other conditions.
These tests include.
1. answering questions and completing specific tasks: These experiments tell your doctor how well your brain is working.
2. Imaging tests, such as an MRI: An MRI produces images of the brain. It can show changes in the brain, including other disorders that can cause the symptoms mentioned above.
3. Blood tests.
Based on the results above, you may have to undergo other tests.
They include.
1. a test called an “electroencephalogram” (also called an EEG): This test measures the electrical activity of the brain.
2. A test called “sleep monitoring”: During this test, you will spend one night in the hospital. You will be connected to a machine that measures your heart rate, breathing, and other body functions. The results will provide more information to your doctor about your sleep problems.
How is Lewy body dementia treated?
There is no specific treatment for Lewy body dementia. Symptoms can get worse over time, but your doctor can help you keep them under control with treatments such as
1. medications: help control symptoms
2. physical therapy: to help with mobility problems
3. equipment: such as a walker or crutches to help with balance problems to avoid frequent falls, etc.
Your doctor may also recommend some ways to reduce stress. These include.
1, exercise.
2, regular daily life: avoiding things that can cause confusion or strange behavior will help Lewy body dementia. A regular evening routine can be particularly effective.
3, with a pet or listen to music.
Find someone to care for the person with Lewy body dementia: This will make it easier for the person’s primary caregiver, such as a husband or wife, to get enough rest.
How should I stay safe?
If you have Lewy body dementia, you may not realize how much it affects you. When your family or friends tell you that driving, cooking or other things are dangerous for you, believe them. People with Lewy body dementia often fall and injure themselves. To reduce the risk of falls, there are several good ways to.
1. make sure your floors are carpeted or have other anti-slip devices.
2. stow away loose wires or cables.
3.Wear sturdy and comfortable shoes.
4.Make sure the passage is bright.
5, use handrails in places where it is difficult to maintain balance, such as on the steps, when bathing, and other places.