For the time being, I will be posting one blog a week on Dementia - specifically Lewy Body Dementia, and another on Mom and an update on her condition, as well as how she is keeping up with her life.
Currently, I am reading the following books on Lewy Body Dementia, and will be utilising them in this blog, as well as other sources I find on the web, books, journals, etc.
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Witworth, Helen Buell & Witworth, James. A Caregiver's Guide to Lewy Body Dementia. Demos Medical Publishing. New York. 2011.
Wainwritght, Adam, MA & Stevenson, Erik, MD (Ed). Lewy Body Dementia: Causes, Tests and Treatment Options. Kindle Edition. 2012.
Leatherdale, Lyndsay. Vascular Dementia Sundown Dementia and Lewy Bodies Dementia: Stages, symptoms, signs, prognosis, diagnosis, treamtents, progression, care and mood changes all covered. IMD Publishing. 2012.
Johns Hopkins Medicine. Johns Hopkins Health Alerts. http://www.johnshopkinshealthalerts.com/
Mayo Clinic Online. April 3, 2014. Dementia Definition. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dementia/basics/definition/con-20034399
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DEMENTIA:
According to the Mayo Clinic Dementia is :
Dementia isn't a specific disease. Instead, dementia describes a group of symptoms affecting thinking and social abilities severely enough to interfere with daily functioning.
Many causes of dementia symptoms exist. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of a progressive dementia.
Memory loss generally occurs in dementia. However, memory loss alone doesn't mean you have dementia. Dementia indicates problems with at least two brain functions, such as memory loss and impaired judgment or language, and the inability to perform some daily activities such as paying bills or becoming lost driving.
Dementia can make you confused and unable to remember people and names. You also may experience changes in personality and social behavior. However, some causes of dementia are treatable and even reversible.
There are several forms of Dementia, most notably Alzheimer's Dementia or AD, which people associate with old age or forgetfulness; but before you begin jesting about finding yourself in the primary stages (which many are known to do, from time to time), remember: Most Forms of Dementia Are Progressive - which means they cannot be cured, and the prognosis is not bright. It is nightmarish for those who have the diagnosis.
According to all sources, thus far, there is an agreement to the symptoms - these may begin small and may go unnoticed, at first (These were taken from Leatherdale):
- Using the wrong word to describe something or someone (there is a story on this one with Mom)
- Difficulty following instructions or directions given to them
- Asks the same question or questions
- Forgets about personal hygiene
-Forgets to eat
- Seems to disregard personal safety
-Forgets Routine Tasks
-Seems disoriented in familiar places and unsure of dates.
These will begin to grow and expand as time goes on. Other signs that will become noticeable are:
-Memory Loss
- Problems with balance
- Inability to communicate, both verbally and physically
- Problems with gait and walking
- Problems with motor control
- Neglect of personal care
-Impaired judgment concerning personal safety
- Paranoia
- Agitation
-Hallucinations
- Inappropriate Behavior
-Disorientation
-Inability to Process Abstract Ideas.
(2012, Leatherdale)
Dementia can have different causes - from plaque, to Lewy Bodies placing themselves on different parts of the brain, to strokes (sometimes reversible), brain damage, etc.
There is a difference between Dementia and Senility, as well. Senility is caused by shrinkage of the brain as people grow older. While some of the same signs may present themselves, it is NOT the same thing!
There is also a great difference between the varied forms of Dementia! Treating someone with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) with the same drugs prescribed for those with Alzheimer's Dementia (AD) can shorten the lifespan of the patient, and cause irreparable damage. I had no idea.
In fact, the treatments for the different dementias is different! What works for one will not necessarily have the desired results for the other.
Yet, did you realize (as I did not) that usually most dementia patients are inflicted with a mix of dementias? Yes. It is possible to have more than one type!
However, most of these forms cannot be confirmed without a brain autopsy, which does the patient no good during treatments (their words, not mine).
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is also closely related to Parkinson's - but the Lewy Bodies have settled on different parts of the brain (more about this in a later blog).
AS I am still beginning to learn more about this infliction, I must admit I may seem a bit scattered. I am. I learning something new every day, with every read (and while reading 3 books at a time, for different aspects, and trying to convey it interestingly and palatably in this blog is quite a challenge!), and it is a bit overwhelming.
The books listed above are very easy to read, and are not that expensive on Amazon.com.
I'm sure you've questions that this has piqued, if you've managed to read this far. Please, ask me, and I will endeavor to find the answers, or a source for you to refer.
Thank you!
In fact, the treatments for the different dementias is different! What works for one will not necessarily have the desired results for the other.
Yet, did you realize (as I did not) that usually most dementia patients are inflicted with a mix of dementias? Yes. It is possible to have more than one type!
However, most of these forms cannot be confirmed without a brain autopsy, which does the patient no good during treatments (their words, not mine).
Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) is also closely related to Parkinson's - but the Lewy Bodies have settled on different parts of the brain (more about this in a later blog).
AS I am still beginning to learn more about this infliction, I must admit I may seem a bit scattered. I am. I learning something new every day, with every read (and while reading 3 books at a time, for different aspects, and trying to convey it interestingly and palatably in this blog is quite a challenge!), and it is a bit overwhelming.
The books listed above are very easy to read, and are not that expensive on Amazon.com.
I'm sure you've questions that this has piqued, if you've managed to read this far. Please, ask me, and I will endeavor to find the answers, or a source for you to refer.
Thank you!
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