Currently, there's no known way to stop the progression of the disease. However, there's always hope. Research on dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease with dementia are ongoing. New medications are being developed and new treatment approaches are being investigated.
There's no cure for Lewy body dementia but many of the symptoms can improve with targeted treatments.
There are no treatments that can slow or stop the brain cell damage caused by dementia with Lewy bodies.
Lewy body dementia is characterized by the abnormal buildup of proteins into masses known as Lewy bodies. This protein is also associated with Parkinson's disease. People who have Lewy bodies in their brains also have the plaques and tangles associated with Alzheimer's disease.
While LBD currently cannot be prevented or cured, some symptoms may respond to treatment for a period of time. An LBD treatment plan may involve medications, physical and other types of therapy, and counseling.
If possible, avoid medications with anticholinergic properties, which can worsen cognition, or dopamine agonists, which can cause hallucinations. First-generation antipsychotic medications, such as haloperidol (Haldol), should not be used to treat Lewy body dementia.
Exposure to vitamin D was associated with significantly higher dementia-free survival, compared to no exposure (Figure 2A). The 5-year survival for D− was 68.4% (95% CI: 67.1%–69.7%), while for D+ it was 83.6% (95% CI: 82.3%–84.9%). MCI was associated with lower dementia-free survival than NC, as expected.
Because LBD is a progressive disease, difficulties with mind and body functions get worse over time. Currently, there's no known way to stop the progression of the disease. However, there's always hope. Research on dementia with Lewy bodies, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease with dementia are ongoing.
Unlike Alzheimer's disease, which tends to progress gradually, this disease often starts rapidly, with a fast decline in the first few months. Later, there may be some leveling off but Lewy body dementia typically progresses faster than Alzheimer's. A patient can survive from five to seven years with the disease.
As Lewy body dementia progresses, symptoms develop that more strongly resemble Parkinson's disease. These symptoms include falls, increased problems with motor functions, difficulty with speech, swallowing problems, and greater paranoia and delusions.
Dementia and the Mediterranean diet
The MedDiet is the most promising diet concerning reducing the risk of dementia, as well as the rate of cognitive decline. This diet mostly includes fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, seafood, unsaturated fats, and a small portion of red meat, eggs, and sugar.
Walk Safely: It's Exhilarating, Healthful and Stimulating
If walking is still possible, safe and enjoyable for your loved one with Lewy Body Dementia, do it! It can be a lifesaver: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
"Failure to thrive" (FTT) is a term used to describe a gradual decline in physical and/or cognitive function of an elderly patient, usually accompanied by weight loss and social withdrawal, that occurs without immediate explanation. Both age-related and sociodemographic factors predispose the elderly to FTT.
Balance, flexibility and muscle tone may be affected by movement symptoms. Preference for certain foods may change as dementia progresses, such as wanting only sweet foods like fruit or ice cream. Malnutrition, weight loss and dehydration may also occur, so caregivers have good reason to worry.
Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a progressive condition. The average life expectancy is around 5–8 years following a diagnosis but can be up to 20 years.
Severe cognitive decline will indicate your loved one is at stage 6 of Lewy body dementia. They will regularly face urine and bowel incontinence, their ability to speak will decline, and they might not have any memories other than early life. A high level of care will be required to live comfortably.
Unfortunately, Lewy body disease is just as fatal as Alzheimer's and some of its most common symptoms are even worse, especially the potential psychotic episodes.
Excessive daytime sleepiness is a common symptom in patients with neurodegenerative disorders such as AD, Lewy body disorders, Multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy and in normal ageing12; this symptom is most frequently seen in patients with Lewy body disorders.
In advanced LBD, communication often becomes quite difficult. Voice changes, poor attention, confusion, and word-finding problems are common; impaired communication can also lead to anxiety or agitation.
Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid: Being deficient in both Vitamin B12 and folic acid is common in those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Taken together, these two supplements can help lower the levels of an amino acid in the blood that is often linked to dementia.
The cholinesterase inhibitors most commonly prescribed are: Donepezil (Aricept®): approved to treat all stages of Alzheimer's disease. Rivastigmine (Exelon®): approved for mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's as well as mild-to-moderate dementia associated with Parkinson's disease.
Galantamine, rivastigmine, and donepezil are cholinesterase inhibitors that are prescribed for mild to moderate Alzheimer's symptoms. These drugs may help reduce or control some cognitive and behavioral symptoms.