Night visions might be a signal for Lewy body dementia
Dear Dr. Roach: I am an extremely healthy 76-year-old woman. Almost every night, I am startled awake by visions of people standing over my bed. It’s usually once, but can happen up to three times in a night. It’s often after being asleep for an hour and a half.
They’re not dreams. Something wakes me up, and that is when I see a man or a couple or a child standing around my bed or attempting to jump onto the bed. Though it lasts only seconds, my heart hammers and I jump out of bed to chase “them” away, and even checking the door locks. Then I sort of come around and pretty much laugh at myself. As it’s quite frightening, I believe I shout out, and it takes me a bit to calm back down.
I take no prescription drugs nor sleep-inducing medicine. Why am I experiencing this? What actually wakes me up to see these visions? — Anon.
I hesitate to tell you, but what I am concerned about most is a condition called dementia with Lewy bodies. This is not Alzheimer’s disease. In fact, the earliest symptoms are usually visual hallucinations. If you read this account (bit. ly/2sk1jzo), I think you may find some characteristics that sound familiar.
What makes me doubt this diagnosis is that you report no confusion or memory problems. Although some people may have the hallucinations well before any thinking problems come up, they are in a minority. Wobbliness may go along with Lewy body dementia. Parkinson’s disease may develop visual hallucinations, but that is usually late in the course of the disease.
This information can be shocking or depressing, but it is important information for you to have. Treatment exists for Lewy body dementia. More importantly, there are medications that can make it much worse.
I would recommend that you visit a neurologist and find someone with expertise in dementia, as that is who is unlikely to miss this diagnosis. Unfortunately, it is not always recognized early.
Here is some additional information to read about this condition: bit.ly/2bsdmyw.
Dear Dr. Roach: Does cooking affect fiber content in foods? I find that I have an easier time eating cooked vegetables, but I have read a recommendation to eat raw vegetables for fiber. I cook them by steaming. — A.N.
A: Cooking does not significantly decrease the amount of fiber in foods. You can get the benefits of fiber from raw or cooked vegetables. Overcooking vegetables does reduce their vitamin content, but brief steaming doesn't much affect the vitamins in food. Peeling vegetables reduces both fiber and vitamin content, so whenever possible, leave on the skin after a thorough scrubbing.