Q: My Husband Has Pd With Moderate Symptoms Normally He Is Independent With All His Activities Although He Walks Slowly One Day His Symptoms Worsened Dramatically And He Was Not Able To Walk I Took Him To The Er Where He Tested Positive For Covid
A: In general, people with PD and other brain illnesses often have 1) worsening of their PD symptoms in the face of inter-current illnesses such as COVID-19, and 2) have a slower recovery to their baseline once they have recovered from the inter-current illness. It sounds like both of these have happened to your husband. However, with proper rehab and some perseverance, there is hope that he will slowly return to his baseline.
Can Parkinsons Disease Be Prevented
Unfortunately, no. Parkinsons disease is long-term disease that worsens over time. Although there is no way to prevent or cure the disease , medications may significantly relieve your symptoms. In some patients especially those with later-stage disease, surgery to improve symptoms may be an option.
Regulatory Approval & Reimbursement
The Exablate system manufactured by Insightec is approved in Europe and in the US for treating tremor-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Patients should talk with their physician if they are not sure if they have tremor-dominated Parkinsons disease. We recommend that they talk with the treatment site for questions about insurance coverage under Medicare, as some treatment sites are now being reimbursed by Medicare. Most commercial companies are not currently covering this procedure.
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Why This Disease Occurs
It is not exactly clear why Parkinsons disease occurs. Researchers think that several factors play a role in its development.
Increasing age is the strongest known risk factor for Parkinsons disease. The chances of developing the disease increase significantly as the person gets older. The current estimate shows that 1% of the population over the age of 60 is affected by Parkinsons disease. And it reaches to 5% with over age 80.
Genetics is another important cause of Parkinsons disease development. Approximately 15% of Parkinsons disease cases have a clear-cut genetic origin. Although the rest 85% of cases appear with no apparent cause, researchers believe that it mostly involved some genetic components.
In addition, researchers have identified several environmental factors that are linked to the onset of Parkinsons disease. These include pesticides , emotional or extreme psychological stress, diet-related factors like coenzyme Q10 and vitamin D, traumatic brain injury, and the lack of exercise.
Parkinsons Disease Is A Progressive Disorder
Parkinsons Disease is a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disorder that primarily affects movement and, in some cases, cognition. Individuals with PD may have a slightly shorter life span compared to healthy individuals of the same age group. According to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research, patients usually begin developing Parkinsons symptoms around age 60. Many people with PD live between 10 and 20 years after being diagnosed. However, a patients age and general health status factor into the accuracy of this estimate.
While there is no cure for Parkinsons disease, many patients are only mildly affected and need no treatment for several years after their initial diagnosis. However, PD is both chronic, meaning it persists over a long period of time, and progressive, meaning its symptoms grow worse over time. This progression occurs more quickly in some people than in others.
Pharmaceutical and surgical interventions can help manage some of the symptoms, like bradykinesia , rigidity or tremor , but not much can be done to slow the overall progression of the disease. Over time, shaking, which affects most PD patients, may begin to interfere with daily activities and ones quality of life.
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Remission Of Cognitive Deficits In Parkinsons Disease: Recovery From A Nonamnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment Or Psychiatric Symptoms Remission
Jonas Jardim de Paula
1Laboratório de Investigações Neuropsicológicas , Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
2INCT de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Alfredo Balena 190, 30130-100 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
3Instituto Jenny de Andrade Faria de Atenção à Saúde do Idoso, Hospital das ClÃnicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
4Departamento de ClÃnica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
5Departamento de Saúde Mental, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Academic Editor:
Abstract
1. Introduction
The concept of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinsons disease refers to a cognitive disorder where the subject shows an objective impairment in one or more cognitive domains and lack of or only mild functional impairment . Due to the absence of uniformity in diagnostic criteria, there is little agreement in the literature on what subtype of MCI is the most frequent in Parkinsons disease.
2. Case Description and Clinical Exam
| Measure |
3. Neuropsychological Assessment
3.1. Cognitive Status and Global Measures
The Dementia Rating Scale total score was chosen for global cognitive screening, since this test was well suited for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in Parkinsons disease .
3.2. Episodic Memory
3.3. Language
How Should I Diagnose The Disease Clinically
The problem with Parkinsons is that it cannot be diagnosed with a single test. Essentially, you need to go through many diagnostic steps that include a detailed health history, general physical examination, genetic testing, brain imaging tests, and drug responsive test.
In detailed health history, your neurologist may ask you the following typical questions:
- What kind of symptoms did you experience and when did you notice?
- How often they appear?
- Does anyone in your family has Parkinsons?
- Did you encounter any medical illness in the past?
- Are you on any medication these days?
In general physical examination, you will be checked for typical motor symptoms that appear in Parkinsons disease. These symptoms include tremor, slowness of movement, body stiffness, abnormal walking pattern, reduced facial expression, and micrographia .
Genetic testing is performed to find out if a patient carries mutations in the genes linked to Parkinsons disease. These genes include SNCA, LRRK2, PRKN, PINK1, DJ-1, and ATP13A2. People carrying a mutation in these genes can develop the disease symptoms either before the 40s or after the age of 50s.
In some cases, you may also subject to brain imaging tests, which help in the correct diagnosis of Parkinsons disease.The most commonly used brain tests are PET and MRI . These tests are used to determine the disease severity by accessing abnormal changes in different regions of the brain.
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Motor Symptoms Occur When The Nogo Pathway Is Activated
The motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease typically appear years after the disease process has begunoften 20 or more years after. Its estimated that motor symptoms appear when approximately 30% to 60% of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra are lost. Studies show varied results when it comes to the actual percentage of substantia nigra neuron loss necessary to produce motor symptoms, and its safe to say that the exact percentage is different from person to person. Regardless of the percentage, it is understood that when dopamine levels decrease to a critical threshold, tremor or other motor symptoms may be feltsometimes suddenly. For many people, this is the first noticeable sign of the disease.
Dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra send dopamine into two basal ganglia motor loops, referred to as the direct pathway of movement and the indirect pathway of movement. Dopamine regulates motor activity by acting on dopamine receptors, of which there are two types: D1-like receptors are present in the direct pathway, and D2-like receptors are present in the indirect pathway .
The direct pathway allows us to move in ways that we want to; activation of the direct pathway increases ease of movement and of initiating movement. In contrast, the indirect pathway allows us to suppress unwanted movement.
A Story Of Recovery: A Patient Recovers From Parkinsons Disease
We put to your hands the story of a patient who recovered from Parkinsons disease.
It was the patients son who contacted us for the first time asking for a natural supplement program for his father who suffers from Parkinsons disease. After correspondence with the son, we were able to estimate the fathers condition and suggest a suitable supplement package for him. The son ordered the first course of supplements that should last them for 50 days.
20 days after the patient supposedly started with the supplements, our crew, at Hekma Center, contacted the son to make sure that everything was going well. Our staff also wanted to know if the patient felt any improvement in his condition. So, the son told us that there is a noticeable improvement in his fathers condition and that he could button his shirt by himself. He also informed us that there is a remarkable improvement in his fathers voice and pronunciation.
Down below, is a screenshot of the correspondence between the patients son and our staff.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease
Symptoms of Parkinsons disease and the rate of decline vary widely from person to person. The most common symptoms include:
Other symptoms include:
- Speech/vocal changes: Speech may be quick, become slurred or be soft in tone. You may hesitate before speaking. The pitch of your voice may become unchanged .
- Handwriting changes: You handwriting may become smaller and more difficult to read.
- Depression and anxiety.
- Sleeping disturbances including disrupted sleep, acting out your dreams, and restless leg syndrome.
- Pain, lack of interest , fatigue, change in weight, vision changes.
- Low blood pressure.
Nanomedicines That Interfere With
Strategies that interfere with -syn expression in neurons have also received widespread attention. One remarkable approach is the targeted gene therapy proposed by Niu et al. that has provided effective repair in a PD mice model using magnetic NPs loaded with shRNA plasmid for -syn. Multifunctional magnetic NPs were effectively delivered through the blood brain barrier, prevented DA neuron degeneration as reflected by TH up-regulation and -syn down-regulation and inhibited further apoptosis in the brain. Alternatively, suppression of -syn overexpression has been demonstrated using gold NPs which could load plasmid DNA, cross the bloodbrain barrier and target specific cells. For example, the group of Y. Guan achieved successful results in carrying pDNA into the neurons, and thus inhibiting dopaminergic neuron apoptosis . These approaches have the potential to suppress -syn expression, providing a highly efficient treatment for PD.
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What Medications Are Used To Treat Parkinsons Disease
Medications are the main treatment method for patients with Parkinsons disease. Your doctor will work closely with you to develop a treatment plan best suited for you based on the severity of your disease at the time of diagnosis, side effects of the drug class and success or failure of symptom control of the medications you try.
Medications combat Parkinsons disease by:
- Helping nerve cells in the brain make dopamine.
- Mimicking the effects of dopamine in the brain.
- Blocking an enzyme that breaks down dopamine in the brain.
- Reducing some specific symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
Levodopa: Levodopa is a main treatment for the slowness of movement, tremor, and stiffness symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Nerve cells use levodopa to make dopamine, which replenishes the low amount found in the brain of persons with Parkinsons disease. Levodopa is usually taken with carbidopa to allow more levodopa to reach the brain and to prevent or reduce the nausea and vomiting, low blood pressure and other side effects of levodopa. Sinemet® is available in an immediate release formula and a long-acting, controlled release formula. Rytary® is a newer version of levodopa/carbidopa that is a longer-acting capsule. The newest addition is Inbrija®, which is inhaled levodopa. It is used by people already taking regular carbidopa/levodopa for when they have off episodes .
What Is The Outlook For Persons With Parkinsons Disease
Although there is no cure or absolute evidence of ways to prevent Parkinsons disease, scientists are working hard to learn more about the disease and find innovative ways to better manage it, prevent it from progressing and ultimately curing it.
Currently, you and your healthcare teams efforts are focused on medical management of your symptoms along with general health and lifestyle improvement recommendations . By identifying individual symptoms and adjusting the course of action based on changes in symptoms, most people with Parkinsons disease can live fulfilling lives.
The future is hopeful. Some of the research underway includes:
- Using stem cells to produce new neurons, which would produce dopamine.
- Producing a dopamine-producing enzyme that is delivered to a gene in the brain that controls movement.
- Using a naturally occurring human protein glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor, GDNF to protect dopamine-releasing nerve cells.
Many other investigations are underway too. Much has been learned, much progress has been made and additional discoveries are likely to come.
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Road To Recovery From Parkinsons Diseasehelps You Help Yourself
The factors that cause the symptoms of Parkinsons are complex.;I do not believe for one minute there will ever be a single solution. A combination of therapies and treatments is needed. Which ones? At what time? These are decisions each person must make for themselves.
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease presents an overview of;a wide range of therapies and treatments; that have proved helpful to other people.;Use your own best instincts to evaluate the options. Decide for yourself what is the best course of action for you.;
Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease is packed full of suggestions and ideas that;facilitate ways to ease the symptoms of Parkinsons. It also provides a compelling argument for why natural therapies can help anyone at;any stage of disability.
The neurological system is very;delicate and very sensitive to trauma, stress and toxins. When these are removed, released and ejected from the body, healing happens.;If you are dedicated to finding ways you can help yourself, the 2017 update to Road to Recovery from Parkinsons Disease will be a;welcome companion on your journey to health and wellness. .;
Best of Success,
Why Is The Cost Low
People tell me that I should be charging hundreds of dollars for this work, but the purpose of creating the book and recording the; meditations has nothing to do with money. It has everything to do with helping people who currently experience the symptoms of Parkinsons feel better. My true reward comes when I have been able to document the successful recovery of thousands of people with the symptoms;of Parkinsons who have transformed their thought patterns. This is the work I have been doing on myself and I am here to tell you that the exercises and meditations have worked miracles on my own ability to manifest energy, health and happiness in my own life.
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Q: Are There Any Studies Of The Effects Of The Covid
A: Currently, there is no data that the COVID-19 vaccine has any long-term negative effects on anyone, including those with PD. Some people with PD have reported a worsening of PD symptoms in the short term after vaccination, which then resolve. The Center for Disease Control instituted a vaccine safety monitoring system, called v-safe, which captures side effects of the vaccine. If you have side effects from the vaccine and have PD, you can alert the CDC using this system. This will be an invaluable tool for scientists to discover trends in vaccine side effect profiles.
How To Determine The Cause Of Symptoms22 Lectures 2hr 11min
- The Body is Overwhelmed
- The Cause of Symptoms is Always Multifaceted and ComplicatedPreview06:47
- What is Causing My Symptoms?1 question
- Toxins as a Causal Factor05:30
- Methods for Determining the Causes of Symptoms11:28
- Meridian Tracing: Use Meridians to Find the Cause04:21
- Reflexology: Get Clues about Causes from the Tender Places on Your Feet03:21
- Dentistry: Health of Your Teeth Reveal Imbalances in Your Body01:59
- BioAcoustics: Voice Profiling Reveals Imbalances05:26
- What is Wrong With Me?43 pages
- Biontology: Light that Passes Through Meridians Reveals Imbalances in Your Body01:50
- Four Methods to Muscle Test All By Yourself06:24
- Ask Your Body about the Causes of Your Symptoms04:03
- Muscle Testing: Determine the Cause by Asking Your Body38:53
- Causes “Check List” to be Used with the Audio Instructions in Lecture 4Preview2 pages
- Muscle Test Again the “Not Sure” Results when You First Muscle Tested Causes01:46
- Investigate and Research a Cause that is Calling Out for Your Attention02:39
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What Is Five Steps To Recovery All About
Five Steps to Recovery is a 272 page, fully illustrated book;that explains the five critical steps that must be taken for anyone to sustain a reversal of Parkinsons symptoms. What are the five steps?
The five steps are;certainly not tightly kept secrets. Taken together, they;constitute the;fundamental principles that are essential;for;manifesting anything wealth, love, happiness, health you name it. These past months I have worked on the five steps diligently for my own benefit. Some steps were a snap for me. Others were not. I needed extra help;to;transform my own thought processes.
Since I struggled;with some of the steps, I knew other people would too. I also took on the project of recording meditations to support and reinforce each of the five steps. To be perfectly clear, I launched this project to help myself. I shifted the focus of my work through Parkinsons Recovery when I realized how much the steps help me personally.
I am confident a transformation of thought forms will also be a huge benefit to other people. They help me mold the powerful principles of each step into the fabric of my thought patterns. They transform the negative thought patterns that jostle around in my head.