Lifestyle

6 Signs of Lewy Body Dementia Most People Blame on Getting Older

By Erica Coleman · November 3, 2026

A few bad nights of sleep, an afternoon nap that runs long, a stiffer walk or a dizzy moment when standing up. Each one is easy to put down to age. Together, they can point to a brain disease that many people have never heard of.

Lewy body dementia, or LBD, is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, according to Mayo Clinic. The Lewy Body Dementia Association says over 1 million people in the United States have it, yet few people and medical professionals know of the disease.

It is linked to abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein in the brain. The National Institute on Aging says LBD typically begins at age 50 or older and affects slightly more men than women. Its early symptoms are often confused with those of other brain diseases like Alzheimer’s, and the NIA notes that memory problems may not be evident at first.

These are six signs drawn from the NIA, Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and the Lewy Body Dementia Association.

Acting out dreams. People with REM sleep behavior disorder seem to act out their dreams, the NIA says, with vivid dreaming, talking in their sleep, violent movements or falling out of bed. Mayo Clinic says they may punch, kick, yell or scream while asleep. The NIA says this disorder appears in some people years before other LBD symptoms.

Seeing things that are not there. The NIA says visual hallucinations occur in most people with LBD, often early, and are typically realistic and detailed, such as images of children or animals. Cleveland Clinic calls hallucinations often one of the first signs and advises talking to a healthcare provider if a loved one starts seeing things that aren’t there.

Good days and bad days. The NIA describes unpredictable changes in concentration, attention and alertness from day to day. A person may stare into space, seem drowsy, or sleep for several hours during the day despite enough sleep the night before. They may seem better one day, then worse the next.

Slower, stiffer movement. Mayo Clinic lists slowed movement, rigid muscles, tremor and a shuffling walk, which can cause falls. The NIA adds balance problems, stooped posture, smaller handwriting and reduced facial expression, and says these signs may at first be mild and easily overlooked.

Dizziness on standing, constipation and bladder trouble. LBD can affect the nervous system that runs automatic body functions. The Lewy Body Dementia Association says low blood pressure can cause dizziness and fainting when a person stands up too quickly. Constipation and urinary incontinence are also on its list.

Losing the sense of smell. Cleveland Clinic says a lost sense of smell may be an early indicator of the disease. The NIA counts loss of smell among the conditions linked to a higher risk of LBD.

There is a safety reason to get the right diagnosis. The association says people with LBD may react to certain medications differently than people with Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. It warns that traditional antipsychotic medicines can make movement symptoms much worse and can cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a potentially deadly condition.

There is no cure, but the NIA says some symptoms may respond to treatment, and Cleveland Clinic says medications and therapies can help manage them for a while. No single test can confirm LBD, and the NIA says it may take more than one visit to diagnose. It suggests telling the doctor about any changes in thinking, movement, sleep, behavior or mood, and bringing a list of all medicines and supplements.

This article is for general information and is not medical advice. Talk with your doctor about any changes in thinking, sleep or movement, and don’t start or stop a medicine without your prescriber. This article was produced with the assistance of AI and fact-checked against the sources cited by LightWave Reports.