http://www.alzfdn.org/RelatedIllnesses/parkinsonsdisease.html
I forgot to mention that many times, although a diagnosis of Alzheimers is given, there are other diseases with similar symptoms. In reality, only at autopsy, (if done) can true Alzheimers be detected......or, that is what I was told when my mom passed in 2003.
For instance, in **Parkinson's, note the "diminished sense of smell".
At the end of my mom's "Long Goodbye", I was told that she might have a touch of Parkinson's; she was confined to a wheelchair by then. End stage. Could no longer speak. Prior to end stage, garbled speech. Early & middle stages, only those living with the person would fully comprehend the problem, as many hide it well.
Symptoms:
Parkinson's disease causes motor (movement) and nonmotor symptoms. Clinically, the disease is characterized by a decrease in spontaneous movements, gait difficulty, postural instability, rigidity and tremor. Nonmotor symptoms include diminished sense of smell, low voice volume, painful foot cramps, sleep disturbance, and depression.
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This is an important one to discuss with the physician.
Lewy Body Dementia
Symptoms:
The symptoms vary from person and person, and can mimic other diseases, especially in the early years. A diagnosis of probable Lewy body dementia requires progressive cognitive decline plus two of the following: fluctuation of cognition and alertness, recurrent visual hallucinations or Parkinsonian symptoms, such as muscle stiffness and rigidity, frozen stance, balance difficulties and tremors.
Summary:
Lewy body dementia (LBD), a progressive brain disease, is the second leading cause of degenerative dementia in the elderly. Although symptoms vary, hallucinations and fluctuating cognition are usually present, along with other features of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or both.
Causes:
In the early 1900s, the scientist Friederich H. Lewy discovered abnormal protein deposits that disrupt the brain’s normal functioning. These Lewy body proteins are found in an area of the brain stem where they deplete the neurotransmitter dopamine, causing Parkinsonian symptoms. In Lewy body dementia, these abnormal proteins are diffuse throughout other areas of the brain, including the cerebral cortex, causing disruption of perception, thinking and behavior. Advanced age is considered to be the greatest risk factor, although some cases have been reported much earlier. Having a family member with Lewy body dementia may increase a person’s risk.
Symptoms:
The symptoms vary from person and person, and can mimic other diseases, especially in the early years. A diagnosis of probable Lewy body dementia requires progressive cognitive decline plus two of the following: fluctuation of cognition and alertness, recurrent visual hallucinations or Parkinsonian symptoms, such as muscle stiffness and rigidity, frozen stance, balance difficulties and tremors.
Treatment:
There is no cure or definitive treatment for Lewy body dementia. Medical management is complex because of increased sensitivity to many drugs. Clinically proven medications are cholinesterase inhibitors (medications for Alzheimer’s disease) and drugs for Parkinsonian symptoms. However, some medications prescribed for Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease can adversely affect people with Lewy body dementia. All prescription and over-the-counter drugs should be initiated at the lowest effective dose and managed by a Lewy body dementia-experienced physician.
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My heart/prayers go out to all caregivers out there, whether it be to their spouse with senile dementia, Alzheimers, etc. or those caring for a parent or sibling. Very difficult job, to say the least. Most will attempt to care for them at home for as long as they can, before putting the loved one in a care facility. I now wish I had kept her home a few years longer with the assistance of a home health aide (as I was having difficulty showering her, etc. after Mom could no longer safely get into & out of the bathtub. She was afraid of the shower stall.) Otherwise, she was content to be with us & still very conversational, knew who we were, etc. and attended a senior daycare which was excellent from morning to about 3 p.m. Once in the skilled nursing place, although wonderful care was given, I know now that chemical restraints were used.......although at the time it didn't dawn on me. The research physician also kept calling me, wanting to put her on experimental drugs, but knowing her adverse reaction to Aricept (severe dizziness & anorexia while in community care home), I reneged on that idea.