What Is Lewy Body Dementia?

You may not have heard of Lewy Body Dementia because it tends to be overshadowed by its close relations, Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease. But experts say that this neurological disorder is woefully underdiagnosed, with many doctors uninformed about it. Here's what you need to know about Lewy Body Dementia if a loved one is exhibiting worrisome cognitive symptoms:

Lewy Body Dementia is an umbrella term for two separate conditions. LBD, as it's known in medical parlance, covers both Parkinson's disease dementia and a type of dementia known as dementia with Lewy bodies. The disease was named for a scientist named Friederich H. Lewy, who roughly a century ago discovered that in certain people, abnormal protein deposits in the brain disrupt normal thinking and behavior.

The disease presents differently in different people. There actually are three typical presentations. The first is cognitive or memory problems that look a lot like Alzheimer's. Over time, it becomes apparent that the symptoms are somewhat different from those of Alzheimer's. LBD sufferers have unpredictable levels of cognitive ability; they may be alert at times and not at others; they may suffer changes in their gait; they may hallucinate; and they may even act out their dreams. A second presentation is a movement disorder that usually leads to a diagnosis of Parkinson's, followed by dementia later. A small group of sufferers will first present with hallucinations, behavior problems, and difficulty conquering complicated mental exercises.

Old age is the biggest risk factor for LBD. The condition's onset typically occurs between ages 50 and 85, with slightly more men than women suffering from it. People who have family members with LBD are at greater risk. Scientists feel that leading a healthy lifestyle in terms of nutrition, exercise, and cognitive stimulation can help delay symptoms.

There is no cure for LBD, but medication can help. As with other forms of dementia, the condition is chronic. The average person lives with the disease for five to seven years, but there have been reports of living up to 20 years with it. Medications should be dispensed with great care, because what works well for one person may cause an extremely adverse reaction in another. Medication is also difficult to dispense because of LBD's notoriously fluctuating symptoms.

Source:

Lewy Body Dementia Association, www.lbda.org.  

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Sleep Apnea or Simple Snoring?

Not everyone who snores has sleep apnea, but everyone who has sleep apnea snores. If you're sawing logs at night, it's important to find out if it's just a noisy nuisance or a sign of a serious sleep disorder.

Snoring is a symptom of obstructive sleep apnea, a serious medical condition that results in blocked airflow while you sleep. If you have sleep apnea, your upper airway muscles relax while you sleep to the extent that the normal act of inhaling results in a collapsed windpipe. Though temporary, your airway can be blocked for up to a full minute and you have to struggle to breathe.

With sleep apnea, you may actually stop breathing. What may be heard as particularly loud snoring is really more of a gasp or a snort. In response to the disruption in the flow of oxygen, your brain wakes you up slightly, so that you automatically tighten your airway muscles, which opens your windpipe and allows you to breathe freely again. The next day, you may not remember waking up but you will probably feel tired.

Simple snoring, or primary snoring without sleep apnea, is a partial obstruction of the upper airway that results in noisy and sometimes rhythmic, heavy breathing but no complete blockage of airflow. Although it may disturb your sleep partner, simple snoring doesn't result in complete airway blockage and won't normally wake you up. If you don't feel tired during the day, but you've been told you snore and you sometimes wake up with a dry mouth, you probably experience simple snoring and don't have obstructive sleep apnea.

Although several studies published in the 1990's linked snoring with an increased risk of stroke, other research, including a British study published in a 2003 issue of the Journal of Sleep Research, found that the strong link was not between snoring and stroke but between daytime sleepiness and stroke. The researchers suggested that obstructive sleep apnea might play a role.

If you know you snore, or if you find yourself feeling drowsy and in need of a nap during the day and you don't know why, speak to your doctor. A physician can order a polysomnogram, or sleep study, which will measure your sleep patterns as well as your respiratory patterns and the amount of oxygen in your blood while you sleep. This is the best way to get to the root of the problem and find an appropriate solution. It's also the only way to find out if you have a sleep disorder that can threaten your mental and physical health.

In some cases, losing weight, changing your sleep position so you sleep on your side or in an elevated position, or avoiding alcohol and sedatives can help. If you can't make these lifestyle changes, or they don't work, there are oral devices you can wear while you sleep as well as surgical solutions.

Sources:

Davies, DP, et al.; "Snoring, Daytime Sleepiness and Stroke"; Journal of Sleep Research 2003 Dec;12(4)313-8 Web 14 Sept 2011
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14633243

The Franklin Institute: The Effects of Snoring Web.14 Sept 2011
http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/sleep.html#snoring

Stanford University: Snoring Information Web 14 Sept 2011
http://www.stanford.edu/~dement/snoring.html

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Laser Allergy Treatments: Hype or For Real?

A new laser device originating from Australia has recently become available in the United States. It claims to help patients essential zap away their allergies. But many experts question whether the results are for real, so it's important to find out more before you invest in this unusual treatment form.

With more people experiencing severe allergy symptoms than ever before, many sufferers are eager for a magic cure from  the typically symptoms that are associated with seasonal and indoor triggers. That's why in recent years a variety of alternative allergy treatments, including this new laser device, have made it into the spotlight, offering new hope for people whose allergies don't respond to more conventional strategies.

This new laser device relies on biofeedback methods to help "reset" the immune system and head off its reaction to allergens. This is accomplished using the following two-pronged approach:

First, participants are hooked up to a piece of equipment that exposes them to the frequency of thousands of common allergens to test which ones trigger an immune system reaction. Next, a laser is used to activate acupuncture pressure points in the body and desensitize them to these allergens so the immune system will no longer respond to their presence.

While there isn't any science to back up this unusual treatment strategy, there are anecdotal reports from patients who say that this has helped them feel much better. Yet many experts remain skeptical about the results. This is why it's essential that you talk to your doctor and do your own research before you decide to try this treatment. Also keep in mind that while alternative allergy treatment methods may have merit for some patients, if you're prone to experiencing a serious allergic reaction, it's always safer to stick with the tried and true methods of allergy control.

The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) says the best way to control allergies is to see an allergist and undergo testing to identify your allergy triggers and determine how best to treat them. Usually a combination of avoiding your biggest allergens and using allergy control medications can make a difference. For allergies that are particularly difficult to manage, sometimes using immunotherapy or allergy injections can also be helpful to desensitize you to your allergens.

In addition, if you suffer from extreme nasal and sinus congestion related to allergies, you might ask your doctor about a surgical procedure that uses lasers to shrink the blood cells in the nose in order to relieve congestion and pressure. This is a completely different procedure than the one performed using the Australian laser biofeedback device, so it's important not to get the two treatments confused.

Sources:

"Allergic Reactions: Tips to Remember." American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. AAAAI.org, n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2011.

"Laser Sinus Treatment (SMR)." Methodist Health System. Methodhealthsystem.org, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2011.

"New Allergy Treatment Comes In Laser Form." NewsChannel5.com, 19 Aug. 2009. Web. 18 Sept. 2011.

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