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Lewy Bodies Dementia

 

Lewy Bodies Disease is similar to both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and can often be misdiagnosed. Specialist diagnosis is essential because sufferer's can have a reaction to the drugs used for other dementia diseases.

Like other dementia diseases it sadly cannot be currently cured. However, with early diagnosis treatment can slow down the disease's progress.


What is dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB)?

What are the symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies?

Mental symptoms similar to those of Alzheimer’s disease include:

  • Problems with attention and alertness
  • Spatial disorientation
  • Difficulties with planning and reasoning
  • Memory loss – but to a lesser extent than with Alzheimer’s disease

Physical symptoms similar to those of Parkinson’s disease include:

  • Slowness and stiffness
  • Trembling of the limbs
  • Shuffling when walking
  • Loss of facial expression
  • Loss of vocal strength

Other symptoms particular to dementia with Lewy bodies include:

  • Visual hallucinations of great detail and extreme realism, usually of people or animals
  • Rapidly fluctuating abilities – changing daily or even hourly
  • Daytime sleep, contrasting with disturbed nights with nightmares, hallucinations and confusion
  • Fainting, falling and ‘funny turns’
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies is responsible for about 10% of all dementia cases, but tends to be under-diagnosed. It’s similar to both Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, affects mostly elderly men and women, and like other forms of dementia, is treatable but not curable or reversible.

Other names for dementia with Lewy bodies include:

  • Lewy body dementia
  • Cortical Lewy body disease
  • Diffuse Lewy body disease

What are ‘Lewy bodies’?

Named after the Dr Lewy who identified them in 1912, Lewy bodies are microscopic spherical protein deposits found in nerve cells.

When they appear in the brain, they interfere with normal functioning by impeding the brain’s chemical messengers including acetylcholine and dopamine.

Lewy bodies are also associated with Parkinson’s disease, a neurological disease that affect the brain’s control of the body’s muscles. Many Parkinson’s sufferers may also go on to suffer from dementia.


The importance of specialist diagnosis for DLB

As it’s so easy to misdiagnose dementia with Lewy bodies, specialist diagnosis is essential.

The risk of misdiagnosis is that DLB sufferers have been known to have a bad reaction to some of the drugs that are normally used to treat other forms of dementia.

A positive diagnosis will also open the door to support services geared to dementia sufferers and their carers and allow the individual and their family to plan for the future.


Treating dementia with Lewy bodies

While there is no cure at present for dementia with Lewy bodies, various drugs are used to treat particular symptoms and to slow down the disease’s progress.

As the symptoms of this disease can fluctuate rapidly, care may need to be very flexible – and may require a substantial amount of physiotherapy and one-to-one support.

Cholinesterase inhibitor drugs usually used to treat Alzheimer’s disease, have been shown to be useful in some cases. Another Alzheimer’s treatment, memantine / Ebixa, may also be useful.

Physical symptoms can be treated with drugs often used for Parkinson’s disease, but these have been found to increase hallucinations and confusion. Physiotherapy and mobility aids are another option.

Neuroleptics are strong tranquilisers that may be used to reduce a dementia sufferer’s confusion and distress. However, in the case of dementia with Lewy bodies, they may induce bad side effects including rigidity, immobility, an inability to communicate and even sudden death. Neuroleptic use therefore needs to be monitored extremely carefully.

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We focus on getting you the right remote or online help anywhere in the country in the comfort of your home. Our service integrates with other forms of ongoing health and mental care being provided by others e.g. GP, hospital, voluntary sector, etc.

Our Approach

Our team will work with you from your initial assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. At each step we take time with you to reflect, reassess and refocus to ensure that you are heading towards to lifestyle that you desire.

Initial Assessment

Get the right assessment, diagnosis and a holistic treatment plan tailored to you.

Diagnosis

Be prescribed the right medical care to treat the symptoms restricting your life.

Treatment

Understand your condition, work alongside our specialists and with your body and mind to prevent your symptoms from dominating your life.

 

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About Us
Our mission is to help you to live a healthy future free from mental health symptoms. Our highly trained psychologists and psychiatrists each have their own specialisms, and all pull together to provide a tailored service to cater to your individual needs.

 

Our Customised Approach


1. Work with you to do a thorough assessment leading to a tailored treatment plan that we we will update together as your treatment progresses.

2. Ongoing assessment of the right medical care to treat your symptoms. Helping you to live a more fulfilled life.

3. Preventing your symptoms from controlling your life and allowing you to take control and grow.

Why Health Choices Global?

  • We provide national coverage across the UK covering all spectrums of mental health.
  • Our Mental Health Support teamwork with you throughout your journey to achieve the results that you desire. Transforming quality of life and family life.
  • We’re available 7 days a week providing remote appointments that are non-restrictive and give you the privacy and assurance building trust.
  • Our team are members of the Royal College of Psychiatrists.