Sunday, March 24, 2024
Sunday, March 24, 2024
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Diseases Mistaken For Parkinson’s

Parkinson’s Misdiagnosis: Thyroid Issues

3 Diagnosis of Parkinsons Disease

Thyroid issues affect muscle strength and can cause fatigue, muscle aches, stiffness, and joint pain. The early stages of Parkinsons could look similar to thyroid problems. However, with time and as a patient learns more about his or her own symptoms, they are able to provide a fuller picture, which can lead to a clearer diagnosis.

My husbands endocrinologist adjusted his thyroid medicine and was so surprised when he did not feel any better.

Parkinson’s Misdiagnosis: Huntington’s Disease

Huntingtons disease causes brain cells to break down. Symptoms can include clumsiness, insomnia, lack of energy, and lack of physical control. Difficulty walking often comes with Huntingtons, which is why it could be a reasonable diagnosis for someone with Parkinsons.

My husband has now passed, but was misdiagnosed with Huntingtons disease.

Patients In Whom A Diagnosis Of Parkinson’s Disease Was Or Was Not Previously Made

Patients in whom a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease was previously made had a longer disease duration and greater disease severity , with more severe akinesia , postural instability, and rigidity than those in whom the diagnosis was not made before. They were also more likely to be depressed , to have experienced dyskinesias , and to live alone or with their family than in a nursing home .

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What Is Alzheimers Disease

Alzheimers disease , the most common form of dementia among older adults, is an irreversible degeneration of the brain that causes disruptions in memory, cognition, personality, and other functions that eventually lead to death from complete brain failure. Genetic and environmental factors including diet, activity, smoking, traumatic brain injury, diabetes, and other medical diseases contribute to the risk of developing this form of the disease. The hallmarks of Alzheimers disease are the accumulation of beta-amyloid plaques between nerve cells in the brain and neurofibrillary tangles, which are twisted fibers found inside the brains cells). These tangles consist primarily of a protein called tau.

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Impaired Absorption Can Results In Lack Of Vitamin B12

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Malabsorption could be one reason for showing signs of a vitamin B12 deficiency even if you include meat in your diet.

Inadequate B12 absorption can occur for a number of reasons. For example, low vitamin B12 levels are sometimes seen in persons who have had gastric bypass surgery. Also, digestive problems that are caused by intestinal diseases such as celiac disease, Crohns disease, or intestinal bacterial overgrowth can also affect vitamin B12 absorption.

Having a tapeworm infection in your body can cause many symptoms, including having a lack of B12. A tapeworm infection will also make it more difficult to recover from a B12 deficiency.

Also certain prescription drugs can affect your ability to absorb vitamin B12, including anti-ulcer drugs, antacids and Metformin a drug taken by diabetic patients.

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Wait So What Is Parkinsonism

Parkinsonism refers to the motor symptoms that are typically associated with PD, such as tremors, stiffness, and walking/balance problems. Both PD and LBD are forms of Parkinsonism, meaning that PD patients and LBD patients may experience these motor symptoms.2 Because the Parkinsonism motor symptoms of PD and LBD can be very similar, it can be difficult to differentiate between the two conditions.

There Is Only One Cause For A B12 Deficiency Auto

After a B12 deficiency is diagnosed, several tests can be done to try to find the cause of the deficiency. Often nothing is tested at all, because it is believed that a cause often cant be found. Only in 34% of cases people are tested for causes according to our survey. But whén the tests are done a cause is found in 50% of the cases.

Often only one test is done: antibodies against the intrinsic factor. When they are not found it is often, falsly, concluded there is no pernicious anemia, or even, there is no deficiency at all. But this test is negative in 30 to 50% of the patients wíth pernicious anaemia. Besides that, there are many more causes for a deficiency, many of them not well known. Some causes, like parasites, can be treated so vitamin absorption can be restored.

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What Is Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative disease that occurs when dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra stop working or die, resulting in a lack of dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement and motor control. Patients living with Parkinsons disease also lose nerve endings that produce norepinephrine, a chemical messenger of the sympathetic nervous system responsible for controlling a wide range of functions in the body, such as blood pressure and heart rate.

Because Parkinsons disease can cause tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity, and walking and/or balancing problems, it is often called a movement disorder. However, Parkinsons disease affects everyone differently throughout the disease continuum. It is also known to cause a wide range of non-motor symptoms, such as changes in cognitive function, anxiety and depression, sleeping troubles, dizziness and fainting, a reduced sense of smell, and a loss of automatic functions.

Conditions Mistaken For Multiple Sclerosis

Conditions mistaken for Alzheimer’s

Did you know that as many as 1 in 5 people with other neurological conditions are misdiagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis ? This comes from a study published in the May 2019 journal of Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders. Certain medical conditions are harder to diagnose than others, especially when they have various mimicker diseases that can cause similar or identical symptoms. In this blog post, we will review MS symptoms, how MS is diagnosed, and some common mimicker diseases that can cause similar or identical symptoms.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease symptoms usually start out mild, and then progressively get much worse. The first signs are often so subtle that many people dont seek medical attention at first. These are common symptoms of Parkinson disease:

  • Tremors that affect the face and jaw, legs, arms, and hands
  • Slow, stiff walking

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Diagnosis Of B12 Deficiency

If you have symptoms that suggest you may have a deficiency of B12, your healthcare provider can confirm this suspicion simply by checking the levels of the vitamin in a sample of your blood.

If your vitamin B12 levels are on the low side of normal, your healthcare provider may order two more blood tests: homocysteine and methylmalonic acid. These metabolic substances are both elevated in vitamin B12 deficiency.

Although this is the most typical way to diagnose B12 deficiency, other tests may be used, including magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord , or somatosensory or visual evoked potentials.

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Dementia With Lewy Bodies

  • Dementia with Lewy bodies is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder in which abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein build up in multiple areas of the brain.
  • One of the first signs of this condition is progressive problems with memory and thinking. Often levels of alertness and attentiveness fluctuate throughout the day. Recurrent visual hallucinations are common. These symptoms are joined later in the course of the disease by parkinsonism with slowness, stiffness and other symptoms similar to PD.
  • While the same abnormal protein is found in the brains of those with PD, when individuals with PD develop memory and thinking problems it tends to occur later in the course of their disease than in dementia with Lewy bodies.
  • Dementia with Lewy bodies is also a clinical diagnosis. There is no specific treatment for this condition. Your doctor may trial carbidopa levodopa for symptoms of parkinsonism, although these medications are less likely to be effective than they are in treatment of PD. Treatment focuses on alleviating symptoms.
  • What Looks Like Parkinsons But Isnt

    Parkinson

    Dr. Fernandez describes two main Parkinsons mimics:

    Essential tremor. Also known as benign essential tremor or familial tremor, this movement disorder causes brief, uncontrollable shaking.

    It most often affects your hands, but can also affect your head and neck, larynx and other areas. In rare cases, it affects your lower body as well.

    But one clue can help distinguish essential tremor from Parkinsons.

    This is not an absolute rule, but if shaking occurs at rest, it often is Parkinsons. And if shaking occurs in action, such as when youre writing or eating, it is essential tremor, Dr. Fernandez says.

    About half of those with essential tremor have a family history of the condition.

    Unlike Parkinsons, essential tremor is generally not perceived as a progressive disorder, and, if mild, may not require treatment.

    Doctors can prescribe medications to reduce shaking, but they are not the same drugs used to treat Parkinsons, he says.

    Drug-induced Parkinsons. Along with shaking, this condition may cause many symptoms similar to Parkinsons disease, including stiffness, slow movement, a decrease in facial expression and a change in speech.

    As the name suggests, taking certain drugs, most commonly antipsychotics and mood stabilizers, can trigger this condition. How long it takes to develop can vary greatly, depending on which drug youre taking, how long you take it and the dosage.

    Your doctor likely will treat drug-induced Parkinsons by adjusting your medication.

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    Measurement Of Lipid Profiles And Covariates

    The Korean general health-screening program has been measuring the serum lipid levels of participants every two years since 2009. Serum lipid levels were categorized into tertiles and were included as time-dependent variables. The cutoff values for categorizing each lipid profile were based on values of the first measurements .

    Although we excluded individuals who had used statins before the study period, some participants initiated statin therapy during the study period. Thus, the cumulative duration of statin use corresponding to the lipid-level-based time segment was included as a covariate. Other potential confounders were identified during study enrollment. Age ,sex, area of residence , smoking status , alcohol consumption , levels of physical activity , body mass index , and past medical history were included as covariates.

    Poll Finds 1 In 4 People With Parkinson Disease Misdiagnosed

    In a poll of people with Parkinson disease, more than 1 in 4 participants reported having been misdiagnosed, with a further 21% having to see their general provider 3 times before being referred to a specialist.

    In a poll of people with Parkinson disease , more than 1 in 4 participants reported having been misdiagnosed, with a further 21% having to see their general provider 3 times before being referred to a specialist, according to a report published by The Guardian.

    The poll, for the charity Parkinsons UK, included more than 2000 patients with PD . Results showed that among participants who were misdiagnosed, 48% were given treatment for their nonexistent condition, with 36% receiving medication, 6% undergoing operations or procedures, and 6% given both medication and operations/procedures. A decline in health was reported in 34% of those misdiagnosed, and women were shown to be more likely to be misdiagnosed than men.

    Katie Goates, MSc, BSc, professional communications and engagement program manager at Parkinson’s UK, highlighted the difficulty in diagnosing PD, which is a complex condition of more than 40 symptoms, as one of the chief reasons behind the polls findings. One of the biggest challenges for Parkinsons research is that there is no definitive test for Parkinsons, and as a result weve heard of people being misdiagnosed with anything from a frozen shoulder or anxiety to a stroke, said Goates.

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    Changes In Cognition And Parkinsons Disease

    Some people with Parkinsons may experience changes in their cognitive function, including problems with memory, attention, and the ability to plan and accomplish tasks. Stress, depression, and some medications may also contribute to these changes in cognition.

    Over time, as the disease progresses, some people may develop dementia and be diagnosed with Parkinsons dementia, a type of Lewy body dementia. People with Parkinsons dementia may have severe memory and thinking problems that affect daily living.

    Talk with your doctor if you or a loved one is diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and is experiencing problems with thinking or memory.

    Parkinsons Disease Symptoms Of Dementia

    Tremor Disorder or Parkinson’s?

    Up to one-third of people living with Parkinsons disease experience dementia, according to the Parkinsons Disease Foundation. Problems with dementia may include trouble with memory, attention span, and what is called executive function the process of making decisions, organizing, managing time, and setting priorities.

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    How Common Is B12 Deficiency

    B12 deficiency is a relatively common health issue which varies by age group. Some countries and continents such as Latin America, Africa, and India also experience higher rates of deficiency than others.

    • According to the

    , vitamin B12 deficiency can be broken down into three main categories:

    • autoimmune issues
    • dietary insufficiency

    A protein called intrinsic factor made in the stomach allows our bodies to absorb vitamin B12. Interference with the production of this protein can cause deficiency.

    Malabsorption may be caused by certain autoimmune conditions. It can also be affected by weight loss surgeries that remove or bypass the end of the small intestine, where the vitamin is absorbed.

    Theres evidence to suggest people can be genetically predisposed for a B12 deficiency. A 2018 report in The Journal of Nutrition explains that certain gene mutations or anomalies can affect all aspects of B12 absorption, transport, and metabolism.

    Being a strict vegetarian or vegan may cause a vitamin B12 deficiency. Plants dont make B12 its found mostly in animal products. If you dont take a vitamin supplement or eat fortified grains, you may not be getting enough B12.

    People at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency can include those with:

    • a family history of B12 anemia
    • strict vegetarian or vegan diets
    • all or part of the stomach removed

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    Software Analyzes Facial Expressions Hand Movements

    Smiles are not the only behaviors that Hoque and his lab can analyze for early symptoms of Parkinsons disease or related disorders.

    In collaboration with Ray Dorseya leading expert in Parkinsons disease and the David M. Levy Professor of Neurology at Rochesterand the Universitys Morris K. Udall Parkinson Disease Research Center, the researchers have developed a five-pronged test that neurologists could administer to patients sitting in front of their computer webcams hundreds of miles away.

    This could be transformative for patients who are quarantined, immobile, or living in underdeveloped areas where access to a neurologist is limited, Hoque says.

    In addition to making the biggest smile, and alternating it with a neutral expression three times, patients taking the test are also asked to:

    • Read aloud a complex written sentence
    • Touch their index finger to their thumb 10 times as quickly as possible
    • Make the most disgusted look possible, alternating with a neutral expression, three times
    • Raise their eyebrows as high as possible, then lower them as far as they can, three times slowly

    Using machine learning algorithms, the computer program showswithin minutesa percentage likelihood from each of the tests whether the patient is showing symptoms of Parkinsons disease or related disorders.

    Hence the importance of testing other expressions and movements, according to Ali, a former postdoctoral associate in Hoques lab who now is an associate data scientist at Sysco.

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    Parkinsons Misdiagnosis: Huntingtons Disease

    Huntingtons disease causes brain cells to break down. Symptoms can include clumsiness, insomnia, lack of energy, and lack of physical control. Difficulty walking often comes with Huntingtons, which is why it could be a reasonable diagnosis for someone with Parkinsons.

    My husband has now passed, but was misdiagnosed with Huntingtons disease.

    What Are The Symptoms/warning Signs Of Parkinsons Disease

    Beyond the Tremor: Other Symptoms of Parkinson

    Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The four primary symptoms of PD are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk bradykinesia, or slowness of movement and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination. As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. PD usually affects people over the age of 60. Early symptoms of PD are subtle and occur gradually. In some people the disease progresses more quickly than in others.

    As the disease progresses, the shaking, or tremor, which affects most people with PD, may begin to interfere with daily activities including difficulty walking and talking. They may also have mental and behavioral changes, sleep problems, depression, memory difficulties, and fatigue.

    One clear risk factor for Parkinson’s is age. Although most people with Parkinsons first develop the disease at about age 60, about 5 to 10 percent of people with Parkinson’s have “early-onset” disease, which begins before the age of 50. Early-onset forms of Parkinson’s are often, but not always, inherited, and some forms have been linked to specific gene mutations.

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    What Research Is Being Done

    The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke , a component of the National Institutes of Health, is the primary funder of research on the brain and nervous system. NIH is the leading funder of biomedical research in the world.

    PSP is one of the diseases being studied as part of the NINDS Parkinsons Disease Biomarkers Program. This major NINDS initiative is aimed at discovering ways to identify individuals at risk for developing Parkinsons disease and related disorders, and to track the progression of these diseases. NINDS also supports clinical research studies to develop brain imaging that may allow for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of PSP.

    Genetic studies of PSP may identify underlying genetic causes. Previous studies have linked regions of chromosomes containing multiple genes, including the gene for the tau protein , with PSP. Researchers hope to identify specific disease-causing mutation and are also studying how genetics and environment interaction may work together to contribute to disease susceptibility.

    Animal models of PSP and other tau-related disorders, including fruit fly and zebrafish models, may identify basic disease mechanisms and lead to preclinical testing of potential drugs. Other studies in animal models focus on brain circuits affected by PSP, such as those involved in motor control and sleep, which may also yield insights into disease mechanisms and treatments.

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