Incurable Alzheimer's-LBD combo claimed Star Trek fame Patrick Stewart's life

It was a deadly combo of Alzheimer's disease and Lewy Body Dementia (LBD) that brought curtains down on the illustrious life of Captain Jean-Luc Picard of Star Trek, alias Sir Patrick Stewart in real life.

As per a statement released by his family, Stewart, 86, was suffering from what the Alzheimer's Association's Mixed Dementia Guide calls 'mixed dementia'. In people who have it, two abnormal protein deposits actively damage the brain at the same time, and the severity progresses rapidly. They affect different regions of the brain simultaneously, and the patient who has them feels an overlap of psychological, cognitive and physical symptoms.

What is LBD?
Lewy Body Dementia is the second most common type of progressive dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic. The disease, named after neurologist LH Lewy, who discovered it, is of two types: Dementia with Lewy Bodies or DLB, and Parkinson's Disease Dementia or PDD. Unfortunately, there is no treatment or cure to slow the progression of LBD, and its care focuses completely on managing certain symptoms.

Symptoms of LBD
a) Unpredictable shifts in concentration, alertness and attention
b) Confusion, disorganisation
c) Quick lethargy
d) Visual hallucinations
e) Difficulty judging distance, navigating familiar spaces
f) Rigidity in muscles
g) Frozen facial expressions, slow body movements

h) General loss of balance
i) Sleep issues
j) BP drops
k) Chronic digestion issues
l) Excessive sweating
m) Dry mouth

Can LBD be prevented?
The Lewy Body Dementia Resource Centre says there is currently no proven way to prevent it. However, people can try delaying it by modifying lifestyle, controlling hypertension, LDL cholesterol and blood sugars. A Mediterranean diet filled with greens, fruits, healthy fats and fish can be helpful, alongside moderating caffeine. Also, keep learning lifelong complex mental activities like new languages, instruments, and racket sports for better brain health.

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