The History Of Parkinsons
Parkinsons disease was first defined as a shaking palsy in 1817 by James Parkinson. Half a century later, in 1872, the Parisian neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot coined the term Parkinsons disease.
Though Parkinson was the first to describe the disease in modern medicine, Charcot and his colleagues revolutionised treatments in the mid-19th century.. Parkinson was a proponent of blood-letting from the neck, in a bid to siphon off inflammatory pathogens and prevent them from reaching the brain. But Charcot and his colleagues favoured pharmaceutical approaches centred around anticholinergic drugs, which block the action of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Anticholinergics are still in use today.
Around the same time, a host of other treatments were being explored at a hospital in Paris. Hyoscyamine, a plant-derived medication, was put in bread and fed to patients. Other medications, such as a derivative of quinine, were mixed with a syrup of orange rinds.
Charcot also claimed to see the symptoms of patients with Parkinsons improving when travelling by train and horse-carriage. He became a proponent of vibration therapy, where patients bodies and heads were shaken vigorously by a rigged motor.
Parkinsons Disease: Causes Symptoms And Treatments
Parkinsons disease is a brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements, such as shaking, stiffness, and difficulty with balance and coordination.
Symptoms usually begin gradually and worsen over time. As the disease progresses, people may have difficulty walking and talking. They may also have mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue.
While virtually anyone could be at risk for developing Parkinsons, some research studies suggest this disease affects more men than women. Its unclear why, but studies are underway to understand factors that may increase a persons risk. One clear risk is age: Although most people with Parkinsons first develop the disease after age 60, about 5% to 10% experience onset before the age of 50. Early-onset forms of Parkinsons are often, but not always, inherited, and some forms have been linked to specific gene mutations.
What Will A Cure For Parkinson’s Look Like
Parkinson’s varies so much from person to person. There are over 40 symptoms of Parkinsons. Tremor. Pain. Hallucinations. Everyones experience is different.
Because of this, there may not be a single ‘cure’.
Instead, we may need a range of different therapies to meet the needs of the individual and their specific form of the condition.
This mix may include treatments, therapies and strategies that can:
- slow or stop the progression of the condition
- replace or repair lost or damaged brain cells
- control and manage particular symptoms
- diagnose Parkinson’s at the earliest possible stage.
And this could involve medical treatments, such as drugs and surgical approaches, as well as lifestyle changes, for example to diet and exercise.
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Increase The Intake Of Omega
Omega-3s are highly important in enhancing the levels of dopamine and decreasing the level of inflammation in the brain. Wild seafood is the best source of omega¬-3, and it must be consumed at least thrice a week, so that marked decrease in the symptoms of Parkinsons disease is possible. Nuts and seeds are other rich sources of omega-3, and they also reduce the symptoms of PD to a great level.
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Causes Of Parkinsons Disease
As identified by specialists, the main cause of PD is the brains inability to produce dopamine. But, what makes the brain not able to produce dopamine? Your health is in your hands. Be educated and take charge.
Here are some of the reasons that contribute to the deterioration of not only PD but also neurological health:
- Various nutrient deficiencies
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How Is Parkinson’s Disease Diagnosed
Diagnosis is difficult at every stage of the disease, but particularly in the early stages. No single test can provide a diagnosis. A diagnosis will likely involve physical and neurological examinations, conducted over time to assess changes in reflexes, coordination, muscle strength, and mental function. Your doctor might also see how you respond to medicine.
You may need to have brain imaging tests to rule out other conditions that might be causing your symptoms. Such tests could include MRI and CT scans and possibly some other types of scans. Blood tests may also be done to exclude other illnesses.
Artificial Enzyme May Be First Step Toward Treatment For Parkinsons Disease
by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
A growing body of research has shown that misshapen and misfolded alpha-synuclein, the protein culprit behind Parkinsons disease and its characteristics, travels from the gut to the brain, where it spreads and sticks together in lethal clumps known as Lewy bodies. As these clumps accumulate, they cause brain cell death.
Now, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers have created an artificial enzyme that stops misfolded alpha-synuclein from spreading and could become the basis for a new treatment for Parkinsons disease.
The results were announced in a study published online Nov. 20, 2020, in the journal Nano Today.
The artificial enzymes, nanosized combinations of platinum and copper called PtCu bimetallic nanoalloys, were created by the research team for their strong antioxidant properties. The antioxidant capability is dependent largely on the alloy composition.
Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species is inescapable, and increases with age due to mechanistic slowdowns in processes such as protein degradation, says senior study researcher Xiaobo Mao, Ph.D., assistant professor of neurology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. This indicates the importance of antioxidants, because in Parkinsons disease, roaming reactive oxygen species promote the spread of misfolded alpha-synuclein, leading to worse symptoms.
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Early Step In The Search For Pd Treatment
The researchers acknowledge that their findings are an early step in the hunt for an effective treatment for Parkinsons disease but are optimistic about its potential.
There is considerable promise that it might be developed as a disease-modifying therapy for the treatment of PD. It will be important for any future human therapy to determine whether irisin can arrest the progression of experimental PD after neurological symptoms have started and to determine the effects of irisin in other PD models.
While welcoming the research, Dr. Fletcher stressed the need for further studies: The research has so far been done in a lab-based setting and will need further development before paving the way for a future therapy that might be able to slow or stop the condition for people with Parkinsons.
However, she added: Anything that shows promise in protecting brain cells in Parkinsons offers hope, as currently there are no treatments that can slow or stop the condition.
Whos A Candidate For Dbs
Although DBS is the most common surgery for Parkinson’s disease, it’s not appropriate for everyone.
The procedure seems to help people for whom levodopa has become less effective over time, or for people who have developed disabling side effects from levodopa .
One area of research is exploring whether it’s helpful to employ DBS earlier in the course of the disease while levodopa is still working.
DBS isn’t recommended for people with memory problems, hallucinations, severe depression, poor health, or a consistently poor response to levodopa.
DBS hasn’t been shown to benefit people with other parkinsonisms .
As with any surgery, DBS surgery carries a risk of infection. Because DBS is a brain surgery, there’s also a small risk of brain hemorrhage or stroke.
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Natural Remedies For Parkinsons Disease
By Lutgarda Mariano 9 am on February 19, 2021
Parkinsons disease primarily develops due to low dopamine levels. When dopamine-generating neurons in the brain die, the body is unable to produce enough of this essential neurotransmitter. Many Parkinsons treatments aim to boost dopamine levels, which can mitigate some of the symptoms. While there are plenty of prescription treatments to alleviate Parkinsons symptoms, some natural remedies are also available.
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Whats Next For Tms And You
If youre a Parkinsons patient, the biggest question on your mind is whether transcranial magnetic therapy is right for you. Every patient is different, and what might work best for one patient might not work for you. Then again, it might. If you feel that your ongoing course of therapy isnt working, or your doctor, neurologist, or other healthcare provider has brought it up, you should bring up TMS therapy as a possibility. They may suggest a new course of medication or other therapy first, but it never hurts to ask about it. If nothing else, youll both be aware that there are options and alternatives that may provide a more satisfying and longer lasting period of reduced symptoms and diminished or eliminated side effects.
Dont be shy about bringing up TMS therapy for Parkinsons at your next doctor or neurologist visit. Your treatment is a working arrangement with your physicians, and you should all be willing to collaborate and share information during its course!
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Using Alternative Medicine For Parkinsons Disease
As with conventional medicine, no type of alternative therapy has been found to stop the progression of Parkinsons disease. If youre interested in using alternative medicine as part of your Parkinsons disease treatment program, talk to your doctor about which alternative therapies might be helpful for you. Self-treating and avoiding or delaying standard care can have serious consequences.
Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. It is not meant to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, circumstance or adverse effects. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.
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So Many Diseases Are Caused By Inflammation In The Body Spirulina Can Ease Symptoms
What we do know, is that the symptoms of Parkinsons can cause a wide range of inflammation in the body. Once again, inflammation is a factor in a disease, as it is with Osteoarthritis, cancer and diabetes. So many chronic diseases seem to be linked to inflammation in the body. And that is where spirulina is such a useful superfood, helping to ease and mitigate inflammation in the body, so it might help with the Natural Treatment for Parkinsons Disease*
Treating Parkinsons With Complementary Medicine
Complementary medicine incorporates many different practices that can be used alongside conventional medicine to try to ease PD symptoms. There is typically not as much rigorous data to support the use of complementary medicine techniques, as compared to conventional medicine, but many patients find them helpful. These include yoga and massage.
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What Are The Early Warning Signs Of Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons warning signs can be motor symptoms like slow movements, tremors or stiffness. However, they can also be non-motor symptoms. Many of the possible non-motor symptoms can appear years or even decades ahead of motor symptoms. However, non-motor symptoms can also be vague, making it difficult to connect them to Parkinsons disease.
Non-motor symptoms that might be early warning signs include:
- Sleep problems such as periodic limb movement disorder , rapid eye movement behavior disorder and restless legs syndrome.
How Soon After Treatment Will I Feel Better And How Long Will It Take To Recover
The time it takes to recover and see the effects of Parkinson’s disease treatments depends strongly on the type of treatments, the severity of the condition and other factors. Your healthcare provider is the best person to offer more information about what you can expect from treatment. The information they give you can consider any unique factors that might affect what you experience.
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What Will A Cure For Parkinsons Look Like
Parkinsons varies so much from person to person. There are over 40 symptoms of Parkinsons. Tremor. Pain. Hallucinations. Everyones experience is different.
Because of this, there may not be a single cure.
Instead, we may need a range of different therapies to meet the needs of the individual and their specific form of the condition.
This mix may include treatments, therapies and strategies that can:
- slow or stop the progression of the condition
- replace or repair lost or damaged brain cells
- control and manage particular symptoms
- diagnose Parkinsons at the earliest possible stage.
And this could involve medical treatments, such as drugs and surgical approaches, as well as lifestyle changes, for example to diet and exercise.
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Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons has four main symptoms:
- Tremor in hands, arms, legs, jaw, or head
- Muscle stiffness, where muscle remains contracted for a long time
- Slowness of movement
- Impaired balance and coordination, sometimes leading to falls
Other symptoms may include:
The symptoms of Parkinsons and the rate of progression differ among individuals. Early symptoms of this disease are subtle and occur gradually. For example, people may feel mild tremors or have difficulty getting out of a chair. They may notice that they speak too softly, or that their handwriting is slow and looks cramped or small. Friends or family members may be the first to notice changes in someone with early Parkinsons. They may see that the persons face lacks expression and animation, or that the person does not move an arm or leg normally.
People with Parkinson’s disease often develop a parkinsonian gait that includes a tendency to lean forward take small, quick steps and reduce swinging their arms. They also may have trouble initiating or continuing movement.
Symptoms often begin on one side of the body or even in one limb on one side of the body. As the disease progresses, it eventually affects both sides. However, the symptoms may still be more severe on one side than on the other.
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Symptoms And Warning Signs
Symptoms of Parkinsons fall into two major categories: those related to motor functions, and those related to changes in someones mood. The four most common signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease include:
- Trembling: This usually presents itself in the arms, jaw, legs and face.
- Rigidity: Most patients experience stiffness of the bodys core as well as their arms and legs.
- Bradykinesia: This is the term for slowness of movement. Some patients pause or freeze when moving without being able to start again, and others begin to shuffle when trying to walk.
- Postural instability : This results in loss of strength, loss of balance and problems with moving muscles or coordinating body parts.
Other symptoms that can also occur, which often impact someones moods and other behaviors, include:
- Sexual dysfunction
Diagnosis And Management Of Parkinsons Disease
There are no diagnostic tests for Parkinsons. X-rays, scans and blood tests may be used to rule out other conditions. For this reason, getting a diagnosis of Parkinsons may take some time.
No two people with Parkinsons disease will have exactly the same symptoms or treatment. Your doctor or neurologist can help you decide which treatments to use.
People can manage their Parkinsons disease symptoms through:
- seeing a Doctor who specialises in Parkinsons
- multidisciplinary therapy provided for example, by nurses, allied health professionals and counsellors
- deep brain stimulation surgery .
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Stem Cells For Parkinsons Disease Are Safe And Effective
According the Venkataraman and colleagues, A subjective improvement was found in symptoms like facial expression, gait, and freezing episodes 2 patients have significantly reduced the dosages of PD medicine. These results indicate that our protocol seems to be safe, and no serious adverse events occurred after stem-cell transplantation in PD patients.
As stated in a 2005 study held by Brian Snyder,
Stem cells offer the potential to provide a virtually unlimited supply of optimized dopaminergic neurons that can provide enhanced benefits in comparison to fetal mesencephalic transplants. Stem cells have now been shown to be capable of differentiating into dopamine neurons that provide benefits following transplantation in animal models of Parkinsons disease.
Support For People With Parkinsons Disease
Early access to a multidisciplinary support team is important. These teams may include doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dietitians, social workers and specialist nurses. Members of the team assess the person with Parkinsons disease and identify potential difficulties and possible solutions.There are a limited number of multidisciplinary teams in Victoria that specialise in Parkinsons disease management. But generalist teams are becoming more aware of how to help people with Parkinsons disease.
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How Do I Take Care Of Myself
If you have Parkinsons disease, the best thing you can do is follow the guidance of your healthcare provider on how to take care of yourself.
- Take your medication as prescribed. Taking your medications can make a huge difference in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. You should take your medications as prescribed and talk to your provider if you notice side effects or start to feel like your medications aren’t as effective.
- See your provider as recommended. Your healthcare provider will set up a schedule for you to see them. These visits are especially important to help with managing your conditions and finding the right medications and dosages.
- Dont ignore or avoid symptoms. Parkinsons disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, many of which are treatable by treating the condition or the symptoms themselves. Treatment can make a major difference in keeping symptoms from having worse effects.