If your loved one has been diagnosed with Lewy body dementia, one of the biggest concerns you may have is about their life expectancy. This disease comes with many challenges affecting patients’ quality of life. However, knowing what to expect with this condition can help you prepare for the journey and make caring for your loved one easier.
Understanding the stages, symptoms, and other aspects of the disease can help you cherish the moments you have with your loved one.
What is Lewy Body Dementia?
Before we get into knowing the Lewy body dementia life expectancy, let’s understand what Lewy body dementia is.
Lewy Body Dementia is a serious brain disorder that is caused by a buildup of a protein called alpha-synuclein in different areas of the brain. These clumps are known as Lewy bodies, and they disrupt normal brain functions. The presence of Lewy bodies affects the movement, thinking, and behavior of the individual. This condition is also known as dementia with Lewy bodies.
As the most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, it impacts millions of people worldwide. It leads to a slow decline in mental abilities that can get worse over time. People with this condition may also experience visual hallucinations and symptoms similar to Parkinson’s disease, such as stiff muscles or slow movements.
Stages of Lewy Body Dementia
Lewy body dementia can be divided into three stages, each with its own symptoms and challenges. Understanding dementia with Lewy body prognosis helps to understand how the disease may progress and plan for future care needs.
- Early Stage
In this stage, the symptoms may not be obvious, and the person might notice mild trouble with multitasking. Cognitive thinking may feel slow when handling many tasks at once. Early signs may include motor function changes like stiff muscles or difficulties with balance or walking.
The affected person may also experience visual hallucinations in the early stages of this condition. These hallucinations can include vague shapes or colors. Some people might have more detailed ones, such as animals or humans.
- Middle Stage
In this stage, the symptoms get clearer and more serious. The patient may need help with daily tasks and show changes in behavior. One of the critical symptoms in this stage is sleep disorders. This causes people to act out their dreams, which can involve moving around, talking, or getting out of bed. This may sometimes lead to injuries.
Understanding dementia with Lewy bodies prognosis during the middle stage is essential, as the progression of symptoms becomes more evident and the need for support increases.
- Late Stage
The mental and physical abilities of the patient are greatly affected at this stage. People often depend on others to carry out their daily tasks. Significant physical changes may happen due to issues with the nervous system. These changes can make daily life harder and affect the overall quality of life. Behavioral issues also increase, and memory problems become prominent at this stage.
Life Expectancy of Lewy Body Dementia
The average life expectancy dementia with Lewy bodies is usually between 5 to 8 years after diagnosis. However, it may vary for different people. Older people often have a shorter life expectancy than younger people. This is because older adults may have other health issues with age. If someone has other health problems like diabetes or heart disease, it can also impact their life expectancy. These conditions can make it harder to manage dementia and may increase the risk of serious health complications.
The way symptoms develop can vary greatly from one person to another. Some people may experience a quick decline in their mental and physical abilities. Others may decline more slowly, allowing them to function better for a longer time.
Is Lewy body dementia fatal? The disease’s symptoms begin gradually and worsen over time as it is a progressive condition. Before dying, people may expect to live for five to eight years. But this can vary greatly. While some people may have the disease for as little as two years, others may have it for twenty years or longer. The patient’s general health, available treatment, and unique disease characteristics of each person are some factors that affect their life expectancy.
Understanding these factors helps to highlight the challenges faced by individuals with Lewy Body Dementia and shows the importance of personalized care to improve their quality of life. Medical care from specialists can improve the quality of life for people with this illness. Family support is also very important, as it offers emotional help and assistance with daily challenges.
Conclusion
Living with Lewy body dementia can be very challenging. The average life expectancy dementia is about 5-8 years, which may vary depending on health and other circumstances. It is crucial to build supportive surroundings to improve the lives of individuals with Lewy body dementia. Opting for local memory care facilities can also help to provide the right support and a comforting environment.