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What is 7 Stages of Lewy Body Dementia?

Lewy body dementia (LBD) is a brain disease. It affects how people think, move, and feel. LBD is caused by small clumps of protein in the brain called Lewy bodies. These clumps hurt brain cells. About 1.4 million people in the USA have LBD. It’s the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.

The 7 Stages of Lewy Body Dementia

LBD gets worse over time. It usually lasts 5 to 8 years. Doctors often talk about 7 stages of LBD. Let’s look at each stage.

Stage 1: No Problems

In stage 1, the person seems fine. They can do all their usual activities. Even doctors can’t tell anything is wrong. But tiny changes are starting in the brain.What you might see:

  • Normal thinking
  • Good memory
  • Can do all daily tasks alone

At this point, no one knows LBD is starting. Eating well and exercising might help keep the brain healthy longer.

Stage 2: Tiny Changes

In stage 2, small changes start to happen. The person might forget things sometimes. They might have trouble focusing. But these problems are very small.What you might see:

  • Forgetting things now and then
  • Small problems with focus
  • Slight changes in thinking
  • Family and doctors don’t notice anything wrong

It’s good to keep the brain active at this stage. Doing puzzles or reading might help.

Stage 3: Small Problems

In stage 3, family and friends start to notice changes. The person has more trouble with memory and thinking. They might find it hard to plan things or handle money.What you might see:

  • Forgetting recent events more often
  • Trouble focusing and solving problems
  • Hard time planning or handling money
  • Mood changes like feeling worried or sad
  • Sleep problems

At this point, a doctor might say the person has mild cognitive impairment (MCI). This means they have small thinking problems. It’s important to watch for more changes.

Stage 4: Medium Problems

In stage 4, thinking problems get bigger. The person forgets more things. They might have trouble with simple math. Mood and behavior changes become more clear.What you might see:

  • Short-term memory loss
  • Trouble paying bills
  • Can’t remember their address or phone number
  • Confused about time or place
  • Sleep changes
  • Some people see things that aren’t there

Doctors often diagnose LBD at this stage. The person might still live alone but needs help with some tasks. Safety becomes more important.

Stage 5: Big Problems

In stage 5, thinking problems start to affect daily life. The person needs help with many everyday tasks. Their behavior and personality might change a lot.What you might see:

  • Big memory problems
  • Confused about time and place
  • Trouble with simple math
  • Needs help getting dressed and staying clean
  • Sleep problems
  • Seeing things that aren’t there
  • More likely to fall

At this stage, the person usually needs full-time care. Keeping a routine can help. It’s important to make the home safe and manage all symptoms.

Stage 6: Severe Problems

In stage 6, thinking problems get much worse. The person doesn’t know what’s happening around them. They need help with almost everything. Their personality might change a lot.What you might see:

  • Severe memory loss
  • Doesn’t know where they are
  • Trouble talking
  • Needs help with all daily tasks
  • Can’t control bathroom habits
  • Big personality changes
  • More likely to get sick

Caring with kindness is very important now. Focus on keeping the person comfortable and respecting their dignity.

Stage 7: Very Severe Problems

In the last stage of LBD, the person can’t respond to their surroundings or talk. Their body becomes very weak.What you might see:

  • Can’t speak or communicate
  • Needs total help with personal care
  • Can’t walk
  • Trouble swallowing
  • Gets sick easily

The main goal now is to keep the person comfortable. Hospice care can help manage symptoms and support the family.

Special Things About LBD

LBD is different from other types of dementia in some ways:

  • Thinking ability can change a lot from day to day
  • People often see things that aren’t there early in the disease
  • Sleep problems can start years before other symptoms
  • Some medicines can cause bad reactions

Knowing these special features helps in caring for someone with LBD.

Wrapping Up

LBD affects each person differently. The 7 stages give a general idea of how it progresses. But symptoms and timing can vary a lot. Early diagnosis and good care are important for quality of life.For families and caregivers, learning about LBD stages helps in planning care. Support groups and LBD organizations can provide helpful information and support.Scientists are working hard to find better treatments and a cure for LBD. For now, kind and understanding care is the most important thing for people with this tough disease.

[Research article link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454937/]

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