What Is Lewy Body?
9. Progression
LBD is subtle at first, with patients requiring an increasing amount of assistance as the illness gradually intensifies. The length of time between the first symptoms and death can range from 2 to 20 years, with an average of 5 to 8 years. The speed at which the condition progresses depends on factors such as age and health.
Death from LBD usually occurs as a cumulative result of trouble swallowing, poor nutrition, and immobility. Fatalities also occasionally result from falls or complications associated with decubitus ulcers. Nearly two-thirds of LBD patients die from an overall failure to thrive, and 23% from pneumonia or swallowing difficulties.
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