Patient presenting with visual hallucination, tremors and rigidity

(A) Lewybody dementia# Signs and symptoms of Lewy Body Disease> Many of the symptoms of Lewy Body Disease bear a striking resemblance to Alzheimer's or Parkinson's.> However, a physician familiar with LBD will be alert to the following signs that the illness is in fact Lewy Body Disease:> Mental decline: reduced alertness and lowered attention span> Recurrent visual hallucinations, usually related to people or animals. These hallucinations occur in 80% of LBD patients, often at night> Poor response to antipsychotic medications known as neuroleptics, which are usually given to people with mental health problems. In the case of a Lewy Body Disease patient, however, this class of drugs may actually amplify rigidity and confusion, and can even cause sudden death> Increasing problems handling the tasks of daily living> Repeated falls> Sleep disturbances, including insomnia and acting out dreams> Delusions or depression> Fluctuations in autonomic processes, including blood pressure, body temperature, urinary difficulties, constipation, and difficulty swallowing.# Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Disease> Since Lewy Body Disease is commonly misdiagnosed for both Parkinson's and Alzheimer's, it is helpful to understand how these diseases overlap.> Overlapping Symptoms of Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Lewy Body Disease> Some of the motor symptoms found in both Parkinson's and Lewy Body Disease's patients include: Tremors Muscle stiffness Difficulties with balance Shuffling gait Stooped posture Slow movements Restless leg syndrome> Some of the cognitive symptoms found in both Alzheimer's and Lewy Body's patients include: Behavioral changes Decreased judgment Confusion and temporal/spatial disorientation Difficulty following directions Decreased ability to communicate