During Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, we highlight another type of dementia, Lewy body dementia (LBD). Lewy bodies are clumps of abnormal protein particles that accumulate in the brain. More than 1 million people in the U.S. are affected by LBD, impacting a person’s ability to think and process information — and it can negatively impact memory and alter personality. While Lewy body dementia shares some symptoms with other forms of dementia, symptoms specific to LBD are shifting attention or alertness, which can last for hours, detailed visual hallucinations, and movement disorders like Parkinson’s. As always, getting an accurate diagnosis is important in finding ways to improve your quality of life. Start sooner, remember longer! #theivey #theiveybrainhealthandwellness #alzheimers #dementia #brainhealth #clt #charlottenc #queencity (fb)

The next form of dementia we’re reintroducing you to during Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month is Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). In Frontotemporal Dementia, the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain shrink and suffer from nerve cell loss. This can lead to changes in behavior, personality, and/or difficulty with producing or comprehending language, and symptoms may depend on which part of the brain is affected. According to the Mayo Clinic, “FTD can be misdiagnosed as a mental health condition or even as Alzheimer’s disease. But FTD tends to occur at a younger age than Alzheimer’s and often begins between the ages of 40 and 65, although it can occur later in life as well. FTD is the cause of dementia about 10% to 20% of the time.” The most common symptoms of frontotemporal dementia involve extreme changes in behavior and personality. As always, getting an accurate diagnosis is important to taking care of your brain health. Start sooner, remember longer! #theivey #theiveybrainhealthandwellness #alzheimers #dementia #brainhealth #clt #charlottenc #queencity (fb)