Ian Bronson
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) affects millions of people around the world and is often misunderstood. It’s the second most common form of progressive dementia after Alzheimer’s and is characterized by symptoms that touch both the mind and body. Understanding its signs is important for early diagnosis. Here are 10 key symptoms of LBD that you should know.
Autonomic Nervous System Issues
LBD affects the autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions. This can cause blood pressure to drop suddenly, leading to fainting or digestive issues like chronic constipation. Bladder dysfunction is also common, causing incontinence and infections. These symptoms, though less visible, significantly affect the patient’s quality of life.
Cognitive Decline With Fluctuations
Patients often experience dramatic changes in mental clarity and memory from one moment to the next. These fluctuations can be triggered by fatigue, stress, or even as a reaction to certain medications. A person may seem fully aware and capable one day but struggle to remember basic details the next.
Vivid Visual Hallucinations
Hallucinations in LBD often involve seeing detailed and lifelike images, such as animals, people, or objects. For example, a patient may claim to see a dog sitting on the couch or a stranger in the room. These episodes can lead to fear and confusion. In rare cases, people also experience smell and touch.
Sleep Disorders and Acting Out Dreams
REM sleep disorder is an early sign of LBD. The dreams are often vivid and violent, correlating with aggressive actions. Sleep-related issues like insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness also frequently occur, exacerbating cognitive symptoms. Proper sleep management, including creating a safe sleeping environment, is critical to minimizing risks.
Tremors and Uncontrolled Movements
It is common for Lewy Body Dementia patients to experience tremors, much like those experienced by people with Parkinson’s disease. These involuntary shaking movements typically affect the hands, but they can also occur in other parts of the body, such as the legs or head. Tremors in LBD tend to worsen during stress or fatigue.
Severe Sensitivity to Medications
One of the most challenging aspects of treating LBD is its patients’ extreme sensitivity to medications, particularly antipsychotics. Common meds used for hallucinations can cause severe side effects, such as increased confusion. Even medications for unrelated conditions can trigger adverse reactions.
Insomnia and Sleep Disruptions
It is a frequent and distressing symptom of Lewy Body Dementia (LBD), significantly impacting both patients and their caregivers. Sleep difficulty can exacerbate other symptoms like confusion, mood swings, and fatigue. Patients often find themselves awake for hours during the night.
Depression and Apathy
LBD’s impact on mental health often manifests as depression and apathy, with patients losing interest in relationships and daily activities. This isn’t a reaction to their diagnosis—it’s a neurological symptom caused by changes in brain chemistry. If left untreated, these mood changes can worsen other symptoms, like cognitive decline and sleep disturbances.
Visual-Spatial Problems
Tasks that require spatial awareness, like parking a car, using stairs, or navigating a crowded room, become increasingly challenging for LBD patients. They may misjudge distances, bump into objects, or feel disoriented in familiar spaces. As a result, there is a higher chance of falls or accidents. Occupational therapy can be beneficial here.
Delusions and Paranoia
Affected people often develop persistent delusions, such as believing their spouse is an impostor or thinking their home is not their own. These paranoid thoughts can strain relationships and increase caregiver burnout. Unlike visual hallucinations, these are more emotionally charged and harder to manage.
