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Best Parkinson’s Doctor In Boston

Multidisciplinary Clinic For Parkinsons Disease Patients

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Upon diagnosis of Parkinsons disease , the patient is offered comprehensive assessment, which includes prescheduled, same-day neurological, physical and speech therapy/evaluation. Patients with all stages of PD can be included in this evaluation. If needed, a social worker and occupation therapist may also participate.

Research & Clinical Trials

Our team of physicians is actively involved in research to better understand the causes of Parkinsons disease and to identify new treatments. Since 2013, MGH has been the home to the Parkinson Study Group, the largest not-for-profit network of Parkinsons centers in North America. As a patient, you may have the opportunity to participate in:

  • Clinical trials for new investigational drugs
  • Research studies to find new and better ways to diagnose and monitor Parkinsons disease
  • Studies that improve delivery and quality of care for Parkinsons patients

If you are interested in volunteering for research, please ask to speak with a research coordinator or browse our list of movement disorders clinical trials.

What To Expect From The Doctor

At your first visit, a PD specialist will take a thorough medical history and also ask about your family medical history and symptoms. He or she will conduct a physical examination and a neurological exam. The doctor will ask you to sit, stand and walk to observe your balance and coordination. The doctor may also order a brain imaging test to rule out other conditions.

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Risk Factors For Parkinsons Disease

While a primary cause for PD is not yet known, certain risk factors can increase a persons likelihood of developing the disease:

  • Age: PD is rare in young people. People who develop the disease are usually around 60 or older, and the risk increases with age.
  • Exposure to environmental toxins: Exposure to certain herbicides and pesticides can increase risk.
  • Gender: Men are more likely to develop PD than women. On average, three men will develop the disease for every two women.
  • Heredity: Having a close relative with PD increases the chances of developing the disease. However, that risk is still small unless family members develop the disease at a young age.

Parkinsons Disease & Movement Disorders Center

Gerald Malcolm Stern: neurologist who championed patients with ...

Greetings from the Medical Director

Welcome to the Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders Center at Boston University School of Medicine and Boston Medical Center. This site provides information on our programs of clinical care, research, education, and support.

Established in 1978 by the late Dr. Robert G. Feldman, our Center has established a national reputation in the interdisciplinary management of movement disorder patients including Parkinsons disease and Huntingtons disease. Comprehensive care is provided from the time of diagnosis throughout the course of an individuals condition.

Our Center has grown significantly but retains our mission to:

  • Provide patient-centered, comprehensive diagnosis and care to a highly diverse population of patients and families affected by movement disorders including Parkinsons disease , Multiple System Atrophy , Progressive Supranuclear Palsy , Huntingtons disease, Essential tremor, chorea, athetosis, dystonia, ballism, myoclonus, tics, spasticity, ataxia, and restless legs syndrome.
  • Deliver state-ofthe-art care with diagnostic imaging, genetic testing, medication management, botulinum toxin therapy, Deep Brain Surgery and programming, rehabilitative therapies, and counseling and support.
  • Contribute to the advancement of new knowledge through basic and clinical research in collaboration with other disciplines to determine the cause, and study new treatments in movement disorders.

Sincerely,

Professor of Neurology

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A Multidisciplinary Approach To Care

Parkinsons disease is a condition that can affect different aspects of your life, including mobility, mood, and sleep. We work with a highly trained and dedicated team of specialists that are all focused on helping you live better with Parkinsons disease.

  • A Nurse can help your physician provide you the best care and address concerns about medications and other Parkinsons-related symptoms.
  • A Physical Therapist can evaluate and treat you to optimize your mobility, physical activity, and safety.
  • An Occupational Therapist can help you stay active and independent in your daily activities.
  • A Speech Therapist can evaluate you and provide recommendations and treatment if Parkinsons is affecting your speech or swallowing.
  • A Social Worker can answer your questions and provide counseling about life transitions, options if you need help with your care, and financial and work-related issues.
  • A Spiritual Care Provider can offer support and facilitate positive spiritual coping if you are struggling with your illness.

You have changed my life. I started using the MGH PD Exercise videos on New Year’s Day and have exercised every day since then even when I got my first COVID vaccine jab and had a very sore arm. Now, I actually look forward to my exercise sessions with you… I am stronger, more flexible, have better stamina and am healthier both physically and emotionally because of your work.

  • Medication-induced movement disorders

A Range Of Advanced Treatments For Parkinsons

What sets the Parkinsons Disease Center of Central Massachusetts apart is the comprehensive nature of care provided. Not only will patients find the latest approved therapies, they will also benefit from a rehab therapist schooled in the best physical therapy protocols for Parkinsons treatment. The Center is also dedicated to providing the best experience possible for patients and referring physicians from medication refills to working closely with insurance companies. In addition, Dr. Sommer is experienced in deep brain stimulation therapy and has a working relationship with area surgeons who provide device implants. Following surgery, patients can receive their follow-up care locally with Dr. Sommer for greater convenience.

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David Weinberg Md Neuromuscular Specialist

Dr. Weinberg is Vice-Chair of the Department of Neurology and Director of the Neurophysiology Lab at St. Elizabeths Medical Center. He is an Associate Professor of Neurology at Tufts University School of Medicine. He serves as a member of the Medical/Scientific Advisory Board of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America and Chair of the Medical Advisory Board of the Myasthenia Gravis Association of New England. He is a former President of the Massachusetts Neurological Association.

Dr. Weinberg received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania and completed his Neurology residency and fellowship at Tufts Medical Center. His expertise has been acknowledged by the community and his peers through such honors as being named as a Boston Magazine Top Doc, a Best Doctors Best Doctor in America, a Consumers Research Council of America Americas Top Physicians among many others.

Bwh: Comprehensive Treatment For Patients With Parkinson’s Disease

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The Movement Disorder Program at BWH provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for patients with movement disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, tremor, and dystonia . The Program’s team of physicians, nurses, and researchers is dedicated to advancing the understanding and treatment of Parkinson’s disease and related disorders. The Program is a collaboration between BWH and Massachusetts General Hospital working with the national Parkinson Study Group. In addition to Parkinson’s disease, the Program provides comprehensive care for patients with other movement disorders such as Tourette syndrome, tremor, and dystonia .

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The Parkinsons Day Program

The Day Program is a prolonged outpatient visit for Parkinsons patients. It is a highly personalized program designed to allow closer physician and physicians assistant assessment of the patients medication response and functional status. It allows for better adjustment of medications for complicated patients with motor fluctuations, dyskinesia, gait disorder and frequent freezing.

Movement Disorder Treatment A Day Trip From Boston Ma

The Mayo Clinic Defines Movement Disorders as:

The term movement disorders refers to a group of nervous system conditions that cause abnormal increased movements, which may be voluntary or involuntary. Movement disorders can also cause reduced or slow movements.

Common types of movement disorders include: Citation

Ataxia. This movement disorder affects the part of the brain that controls coordinated movement . Ataxia may cause uncoordinated or clumsy balance, speech or limb movements, and other symptoms. Ataxia signs and symptoms are often confused with signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease

Cervical dystonia. This condition causes long-lasting contractions or intermittent contractions of the neck muscles, causing the neck to turn in different ways.

Chorea. Chorea is characterized by repetitive, brief, irregular, somewhat rapid, involuntary movements that typically involve the face, mouth, trunk and limbs.

Huntingtons disease. This is an inherited progressive, neurodegenerative disorder that causes uncontrolled movements , impaired cognitive abilities and psychiatric conditions. Some signs of huntingtons mimic signs of Parkinsons.

Multiple system atrophy. This uncommon, progressive neurological disorder affects many brain systems. Multiple system atrophy causes a movement disorder, such as ataxia or Parkinsonism. It can also cause low blood pressure and impaired bladder function.

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What To Ask During The First Visit

Prepare a list of questions to help you better understand the doctors expertise and your treatment options. You likely will not be able to discuss them all in one visit. You may have more specific questions once you have a treatment plan. Questions you may want to start with include:

  • How many people with Parkinsons do you treat?
  • Do I need other tests to confirm my PD diagnosis or rule out other disorders that may present similar symptoms?
  • What PD treatment options do you suggest?
  • How do my other health conditions and medications affect my PD and how I treat it?
  • Do you know of any clinical studies that might be right for me to take part in?
  • Are you aware of any new PD research and treatments?
  • Are there lifestyle changes that can improve my PD symptoms?
  • If you are not available for me to contact you between visits, who may I communicate with and how?
  • Should I get a second opinion? Do you have any suggestions of doctors for me to contact?

Advanced Care For Movement Disorders

Parkinsons Doctor Parkinsonism Treatment Namibia NA

Dyskinesia refers to a category of movement disorders characterized by involuntary muscle movements Parkinsons disease may be the most well-known. But any neurological condition that affects ease, fluency, quality and/or speed of movement is a movement disorder. These can be treated with a combination of therapies including oral medication, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, neuropsychological evaluations, botulinum toxin injection therapy , deep brain stimulation or other types of surgery.

At USA Health, we treat patients with movement disorders by helping them manage their symptoms and, when possible, addressing the underlying root cause of the disorder. As an academic medical center, we develop and deliver the most effective care to our movement disorder patients. For that reason, we also offer clinical trials involving new treatments to patients when appropriate.

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Diagnosing And Treating Parkinson’s Disease Online

Parkinsons disease develops when nerve cells in the brain break down and die. Parkinsons symptoms surface once theres a loss of certain nerve cells that produce a brain chemical called dopamine.

Symptoms of Parkinsons often develop gradually and on one side of the body. As the disease progresses, people may have trouble accomplishing everyday tasks, including:

Although its unknown what causes Parkinsons, there are factors that may play a role including specific genetic mutations and exposure to certain toxins in the environment. Some complications of the disease include difficulty thinking, depression and emotional changes, bladder problems, and constipation.

During a video consult on Amwell your doctor will ask you a series of targeted questions to determine if your symptoms point to Parkinsons. Then your provider will proceed to determine the best treatment plan for you. Your provider may recommend in-person examination by a specialist if needed. Your treatment plan is based on the duration and severity of your symptoms and your medical history.

Once a diagnosis has been made, your doctor will go over the risks and benefits of the various treatment plans. Treatment for Parkinsons is different depending on the severity.

Options for treatment of Parkinsons may include:

  • Carbidopa-levodopa

How Is Parkinsons Disease Diagnosed

Currently there is no single laboratory or blood test to diagnose Parkinsons Disease. Instead, neurologists generally take a detailed history of the patients symptoms, conduct a physical examination, rule out current and past medications and note patients response to medication that cause improvement in symptoms. Parkinsons Disease can be difficult to diagnose accurately and your neurologist may request brain scans or laboratory tests to rule out other diseases.

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There Are752doctors Who Treat Parkinson’s Disease In Boston Find The Best For You:

  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 75 Francis StBoston, MA02115
  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 330 Brookline AveBoston, MA02215
  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 60 Fenwood RdBoston, MA02115
  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 15 Parkman StBoston, MA02114
  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 330 Brookline AveBoston, MA02215
  • Rated 4.20 out of 5 stars, with 330 Brookline Ave # ShapiroBoston, MA02215
  • Rated 4.60 out of 5 stars, with 133 Brookline Ave Fl 4Boston, MA02215
  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 15 Parkman StBoston, MA02114
  • Rated 3.60 out of 5 stars, with 800 Washington St # 314Boston, MA02111
  • Rated 3.90 out of 5 stars, with 300 Mount Auburn St Ste 316Cambridge, MA02138
  • Rated 3.00 out of 5 stars, with 725 Albany StBoston, MA02118
  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 725 Albany St Ste 7BBoston, MA02118
  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 1 Boston Medical Ctr PlBoston, MA02118
  • Rated 4.50 out of 5 stars, with 165 Cambridge St Ste 820Boston, MA02114
  • Rated 4.20 out of 5 stars, with 60 Fenwood Rd Fl 1Boston, MA02115
  • Rated 5.00 out of 5 stars, with 100 Cambridge St Ste 2000Boston, MA02114
  • Rated 2.90 out of 5 stars, with 330 Brookline AveBoston, MA02215
  • Rated 4.20 out of 5 stars, with 330 Brookline AveBoston, MA02215
  • Rated 3.00 out of 5 stars, with 330 Brookline AveBoston, MA02215
  • Rated 4.30 out of 5 stars, with 77 Warren St Fl 2Brighton, MA02135

Keith J Ciccone Bs Lpn

Approach to the Exam for Parkinson’s Disease

Keith J. Ciccone is a nurse specialist working in collaboration with Dr. Anna Hohler providing nursing care, assessment, telephone triage, coordinating community resources and services, and facilitating the Deep Brain Stimulation programming. Keith has almost two decades of experience working with patients and families with Parkinsons Disease, Essential Tremor, Movement Disorder, Epilepsy and Cognitive Impairment. He has more than 13 years of experience in Deep Brain Stimulation, coordinating pre- and post-surgery care, as well as DBS programming management. Since 2005, Keith has served as co-facilitator for the American Parkinsons Disease Association monthly support group for Parkinson’s patients with Deep Brain Stimulation. Keith received his Bachelor of Science in Music Therapy with a minor in Psychology from Anna Maria College in Paxton, MA. He received his Nursing diploma from Chelsea Soldier Home School of Nursing. He was the recipient of Outstanding Young Men in America Award, the Student Nursing Leadership Award, the Salvatore A. Esposito, Sr. Award from the American Parkinson Disease Association, and the 2010 Chairmans Award. He is involved in numerous non-profit organizations including serving as the past president of the Massachusetts Chapter of the American Parkinson Disease Association.

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Ying Geng Md Neurohospitalist

Dr. Geng is a neurohospitalist and devotes her time to ensuring that the neurology inpatients are optimally managed in the emergency department, on the wards, and in the hospital. She helps to develop protocols for care and serves as a primary point person for resident education. Dr. Geng serves as a liaison between neurology and the other specialties in the hospital providing a link to facilitate optimized care.

Dr. Geng completed her Ph.D. in neuropathology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She completed her medical training at Peking University School of Medicine, her residency in neurology at the University of Chicago Medical Center, and neurophysiology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

She is the author of several peer-reviewed publications and is a member of the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society. Dr. Geng received a first prize for a scholarship as a medical student and several pathology awards, including the American Society for Investigative Pathology Trainee Award, the Histochemical Society Trainee Award, and the American Society for Investigative Pathology Experimental Pathologist in Training Merit Award.

Getting Around In Mexico

The easiest way to reach Mexico is through Mexico City International Airport, which is also referred to as Benito Juarez International Airport, is the busiest airport in Mexico. The airport links 52 domestic cities and 50 international destinations in Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia. Aeromexico is the largest carrier serving many Latin American cities, domestic and international cities. Other prominent Mexican airlines are Interjet, Volaris and Aeromar. Major American carriers like United Airlines, American Airlines, and Delta Air also operate flights to Mexico City.

For travel within Mexico, air travel is the best mode considering the vast size of the country. Budget airlines like Avolar, Azteca, Interjet, vivaAerobus, and Volaris offer competitive and cheap airfares for domestic travel.

You can also travel by local buses and hired cars between cities. However, the fastest mode of transport is the metro system that connects major cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey.

It is easy to move around within Mexico City, as it has a pretty cheap public transport system. You have the option of the Metro, first and second-class buses, colectivos, and Nissan Tsuru libre taxis. Sitio taxis, its best not to hail cabs off the street after dark, and if you are unfamiliar with the city and dont speak Spanish, its always best to always use taxis from Taxi Ranks.

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Treatments For Parkinsons Disease

Although PD has no cure, the symptoms of the disease are treatable.

Because each patient experiences symptoms differently, physicians base each patients treatments on his or her specific symptoms. The Movement Disorders team works closely with other UT Southwestern specialists such as those in psychiatry and speech, physical, and occupational therapy to provide patients with individualized care to manage symptoms and maximize mobility, balance, and coordination.

Treatments for Parkinsons disease include:

  • Medication: Many experts now believe that medication should be initiated immediately after diagnosis. Medication can help manage problems with walking, movement, and tremor by correcting or compensating for dopamine deficiency in the brain.
  • Botulinum toxin injection: UT Southwestern specializes in the use of botulinum toxin injections for a variety of conditions that result in involuntary muscle contractions. Botulinum toxin weakens the muscle that it is injected into, thus promoting relaxation of muscle spasm. These injections can be a particularly effective treatment for PD patients with dystonia , eye twitching, and drooling. Patients who might benefit from botulinum toxin are examined to determine which muscles are overactive. The botulinum toxin is injected into only those muscles. Benefits gradually develop over seven to 10 days. The treatment is usually effective for three months, so injections are repeated several times a year to maintain ongoing benefits.

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