Progressive mental decline that interferes with normal daily activities. Significant memory loss may not develop until later. There may also be problems with attention, problem solving and spatial awareness.

The symptoms include:

• changes in alertness – people may stare into space for periods, seem drowsy and sleep a lot, affects 90% of people with LBD
• recurring visual hallucinations – usually people or animals, they may cause distress – affects 75% of people with LBD
• disturbed sleep – rapid eye movement (REM) sleep disorder causing restlessness and nightmares – affects 75% of people with LBD
• difficulty with planning or carrying out everyday tasks, such as using money, phones or household appliances
• difficulty with remembering events or names
• difficulty walking, shuffling, appearing rigid, ‘freezing’
• tremors – usually in the hands
• problems with balance and being prone to falls

Physical symptoms can include (although will not be experienced by everyone):

• tremors – usually in the hands
• shuffling, rigidity, ‘freezing’, slow movement
• masked expression
• prone to falls
• orthostatic or postural hypotension: low blood pressure on standing up
• bladder sensitivity – particularly at night
• constipation
• impaired sense of smell
• increased salivation
• excessive sweating
• muscle cramps
• restless legs
• swallowing – less frequent, poor swallow reflex
• racing heart
• less fluent speech and quieter volume

Psychological symptoms can include (although will not be experienced by everyone):

• delusions – a false belief, sometimes linked to hallucinations – such as feeling someone is watching them. Some experience Capgras syndrome, where they believe that a loved one has been replaced by an imposter.
• depression – can result in poor sleep and appetite and loss of interest in activities
• apathy – this can occur independently of depression
• anxiety – can result in a racing heart, sweating and panic attacks

No, not present but the Lewy Body Society is working tirelessly towards better, awareness, diagnosis and treatment until a cure is discovered.

Lewy body dementia symptoms are managed by both pharmaceutical and non-medical interventions.