As one ages, new and more difficult physical and mental health problems arise. Among those issues are diseases such as arthritis, dementia, and osteoporosis. In particular, Dementia is a syndrome that results in the loss of memory and other intellectual capabilities occurring most often as one ages, “affecting 1.4 million people and their families” (LBD Association). Lewy Body Dementia is the second most common type of dementia following Alzheimer's. The disease causes degeneration of the brain thus resulting in a decline in cognitive thinking, reasoning and muscle movement. Frederick H. Lewy, M.D., a neurologist in the early 1900s uncovered the abnormal protein deposits that are associated with Lewy Body Dementia; later called Lewy Bodies.
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However, The diagnosis for Lewy Body Dementia includes assessing the patient’s functional ability in language, attention, memory retention. According to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, LBD is currently widely underdiagnosed and a conclusive diagnosis can only be obtained from a postmortem autopsy. “An extensive neurological and neuropsychological evaluation is essential for Lewy body dementia diagnosis. Structural brain imaging (e.g., MRI or CT) and laboratory tests are used to rule out other diagnoses. Lewy body dementias can be difficult to diagnose because they can resemble and overlap with other causes of dementia”(UCSF Memory and Aging Center). Identifying the disorder is an extensive process which begins with an evaluation of a patient's medical history and physical and neurological …show more content…
One may experience changes in personality or temperament. Thus, leading to an onset of depression, anxiety, apathy, and paranoia. NIH suggests, “Palliative care can help manage LBD symptoms such as constipation, sleep disorders, and behavioral problems. Typically, a team of nurses, social workers, physical therapists, dieticians, and pharmacists works with doctors to: relieve troubling symptoms, offer emotional and spiritual support.” Offering care and support can better the patient’s quality of life. Regarding the effect on the patient’s quality of life, I can speak from first hand experience. My late grandfather passed away with Lewy Body Dementia and his battle with the disease affected his ability to fully interact with his family and friends and also forbid him from participating in his favorite hobbies. His body and his mind continued to degrade as the years went by, progressing into the inability to speak and walk. My grandfather had always been an active and energetic man with lots of spirit yet this disease forbid him from physically and mentally expressing himself. It is not a particularly easy thing to witness, watching someone you know and love slowly slip away. Nevertheless, doctors, nurses, and caregivers continued to help him in any way possible while also taking note of his symptoms. Since Lewy Body Dementia is a newly researched form of dementia it is not uncommon for it to be
However, The diagnosis for Lewy Body Dementia includes assessing the patient’s functional ability in language, attention, memory retention. According to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, LBD is currently widely underdiagnosed and a conclusive diagnosis can only be obtained from a postmortem autopsy. “An extensive neurological and neuropsychological evaluation is essential for Lewy body dementia diagnosis. Structural brain imaging (e.g., MRI or CT) and laboratory tests are used to rule out other diagnoses. Lewy body dementias can be difficult to diagnose because they can resemble and overlap with other causes of dementia”(UCSF Memory and Aging Center). Identifying the disorder is an extensive process which begins with an evaluation of a patient's medical history and physical and neurological …show more content…
One may experience changes in personality or temperament. Thus, leading to an onset of depression, anxiety, apathy, and paranoia. NIH suggests, “Palliative care can help manage LBD symptoms such as constipation, sleep disorders, and behavioral problems. Typically, a team of nurses, social workers, physical therapists, dieticians, and pharmacists works with doctors to: relieve troubling symptoms, offer emotional and spiritual support.” Offering care and support can better the patient’s quality of life. Regarding the effect on the patient’s quality of life, I can speak from first hand experience. My late grandfather passed away with Lewy Body Dementia and his battle with the disease affected his ability to fully interact with his family and friends and also forbid him from participating in his favorite hobbies. His body and his mind continued to degrade as the years went by, progressing into the inability to speak and walk. My grandfather had always been an active and energetic man with lots of spirit yet this disease forbid him from physically and mentally expressing himself. It is not a particularly easy thing to witness, watching someone you know and love slowly slip away. Nevertheless, doctors, nurses, and caregivers continued to help him in any way possible while also taking note of his symptoms. Since Lewy Body Dementia is a newly researched form of dementia it is not uncommon for it to be