After Alzheimer’s disease, there may be a cause of Lewy body dementia disease for the people. According to research, LBD can affect men over the age of 50, and it will affect men more than women.
LBD is a neurological disorder that may cause worsening movement problems and also a lack of cognition. By stage by stage, there may be a problem expansion in the cognitive decline.
It will start with no cognitive symptoms but, LBD depends on the stages, there may be a symptom to identify. Usually, the diagnosis is to go with tests. This will last for 5-8 years on average.
What are the 7 stages of Lewy body dementia?
LBD can have 7 markable stages related to cognitive conditions in the brain. It may arise due to neurological disorders in the brain. The protein deposits in the brain, called Lewy bodies, affect the neurotransmitters.
Neurotransmitters are the natural chemical that controls thinking, mood, behavior & movements. Low levels of neurotransmitters may be the cause of dementia.
Dementia may be caused by damage in the brain cells in a specific region of the brain, which may affect the person’s thinking and memory.
Other than neurodegenerative diseases, they are treatable and temporary, and the problems include depression, medication side effects, thyroid issues, alcohol usage, and nutritional deficiencies.
1. No Cognitive Decline
A stage one disease has no detectable symptoms. LBD has normal functioning; nothing to worry about in this case. It can be found in some testing and examinations like MRI and CT scans. There is no such cognitive decline in this stage.
2. Very Mild Cognitive Decline
There will be a mild symptom only. Your family members may notice this. You may forget some names or locate familiar objects. You can able to continue the daily routine activities when you are in stage 2.
There will be very mild cognitive decline or thinking.
3. Mild Cognitive Decline
In stage 3, there will be mild cognitive decline. They are still mild symptoms. But, you may have mild memory loss, lack of concentration, and mild forgetfulness, there may be confusion and even there will be risk in continuing the daily activities.
4. Moderate Cognitive Decline
In stage 4 there will be a moderate symptom occurs. You may face difficulty in speaking and performing daily activities. There will be health problems due to sleep disorders.
The symptoms include choking, difficulty swallowing, aspiration, and excessive drooling. This is a highly noticeable stage since you may forget the locations where you are and manage your finances.
5. Moderately Severe Cognitive Decline
When you are in stage four, the cognitive decline is moderate to severe. For daily activities like bathing and having food, you will be dependent on someone, whether it is your family members or caretakers.
There are such symptoms of stage 5 memory loss, fever, risk of infection & skin diseases, confusion, and disorientation, 24-hour monitoring is needed for you.
You may experience hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and unpredictable behavior.
6. Severe Cognitive Decline
The sixth stage can be a severe cognitive decline there may be severe memory loss. Assistance from your family plays a crucial role when you are in stage 6. There are some symptoms like short-term memory loss, cognitive decline, able to recover memory in early life, lack of speaking ability, and loss of bladder control.
7. Very Severe Cognitive Decline
The seventh one is crucial and may be the cautious stage. In this stage, you may have a very severe decline in cognitive level.
There are symptoms like lack of communication, unable to walk, physical system falls, requiring extensive assistance in life’s support, and 24-hour assistance.
Conclusion
There are such stages that you may crossed till now. Remember, having symptoms of stage 1 itself will resolve the present condition and protect you from further 6 stages.
You must consult a doctor for any such symptoms in the beginning stage, which could significantly reduce the number of symptoms and diseases. Lastly, prioritize your health; since the brain’s cells are damaged, it leads to different problems, so a human must have a healthy life.
A healthy diet and overall lifestyle changes will help you avoid medications and further causes of disease.
FAQs
How long does stage 7 last in Lewy body dementia?
Stage 7 can last 1.5 to 2.5 years. However, some medications may help you reverse the normal stage. Seek guidance from the doctor and make sure to consult it with the initial stage.
What causes death in Lewy body dementia?
The exact cause of death during this condition may vary from individual to individual. It may depend on their medical history, current medical condition, and overall health.
Some of the common may be reliable for sharing purposes like infection, pneumonia, cardiovascular events, and progression of neurological symptoms….
But, immediately having the symptoms of stage 1, you are advised to consult a doctor and get the complete treatment.
What kind of treatment is provided for LBD?
There is no complete cure for this cause. However, this medication may be preferred, which is cholinesterase inhibitors, which include rivastigmine, galantamine, and donepezil, to help manage the cognitive symptoms of LBD.
