Im In Pain But I Dont Want To Take Carbidopa/levodopa Yet Because My Doctor Says It Will Only Work For Five Years Any Advice
It is true that as time passes and your disease progresses, you will have to take higher doses to replace the dopamine your body can no longer produce. However, the rate of dopamine loss is different for everyone. What your doctor may be telling you is that after taking carbidopa/levodopa for some time, you may begin to experience side effects like dyskinesia. It is important to understand that while you may experience this unwanted side effect, for example, you still benefit from the carbidopa/levodopa. If you believe your pain is Parkinson’s-related, and you have already tried other medications and complementary therapies without relief, it is probably time to try carbidopa/levodopa.
The Impact Of Remotely Supervised Tdcs On Parkinsons Disease And Other Neurological Conditions
NYU Langone researchers are also looking into the benefits of RS-tDCS for other neurological conditions in several open-label studies.
A study conducted in collaboration with researchers at the Marlene and Paolo Fresco Institute for Parkinson’s and Movement Disorders, slated for publication in the Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, demonstrated the applicability of this methodology in Parkinson’s disease, with improvements in fatigue and cognition similar to those seen in MS. Further, as published in 2018 in the Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, patients with moderate Parkinson’s disease experienced a notable reduction in symptoms from using RS-tDCS in combination with cognitive training.
“The use of telemedicine to supervise at-home tDCS will allow us to reach more patients and also to bypass common obstacles that prevent populations with mobility impairment or other accessibility barriers from participating in clinical trials and receiving health services,” says Milton C. Biagioni, MD, assistant professor of neurology and coinvestigator on the study. “This is the first time an RS-tDCS protocol has been designed for and tested in these patients.”
According to study coinvestigator Milton C. Biagioni, MD, telemedicine allows people who have mobility impairments to access healthcare services and clinical trials.
Photo: NYU Langone Staff
Multiple Sclerosis Vs Parkinsons Disease Differences In Symptoms Causes And Treatment
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune condition that affects the nervous system, while Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder affecting movement. Symptoms of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease are quite similar at times, but there are distinct differences setting the two conditions apart.
Causes of multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease are not well known, although there is some speculation to their roots. We will outline those speculated causes and highlight the symptoms, risk factors, complications, treatment, and therapies for both multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease to raise your awareness on each disorder.
Benefits Of Aquatic Therapy For Alzheimers Patients In Senior Living Facilities
Stay active
Many physicians believe that the key to longevity with Alzheimer’s is activity. Thus, if a patient with Alzheimer’s can enjoy working out in a therapy pool, whether with a clinician or as part of a larger class, that patient has a better chance of remaining in good health for as long as possible. Even if he or she fears falling when walking on land , that fear is highly negated by the natural buoyancy of the water.
Become accustomed to a routine
Alzheimer’s patients who have a scheduled plan for pool therapy and/or exercise may become accustomed to the routine. This, in turn, can be a boost to their mental abilities. Routine for Alzheimer’s patients may even promote slower memory loss, although this is debatable. If nothing else, it provides them with a very positive outlet.
Psychological Effect
The therapy pool has a psychological effect on those with Alzheimer’s by the warmth of the water. Not only is it soothing to the body, but it can be soothing to the mind. Many Alzheimer’s patients live with a high degree of uncertainty and stress because they know something is wrong, but aren’t sure what that is. If pool therapy can alleviate those tensions, the patients will be under far less emotional turmoil throughout the day.
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Why Is Tissue Needed For Research On Multiple Sclerosis And Parkinson’s Disease
The symptoms experienced by people living with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s are a result of damage taking place within their brain and/or spinal cord. Although there are a number of different ways to conduct research on these conditions, being able to study the very tissue that is damaged in this disease is vital to our developing better treatments. The Brain Bank retrieves and stores tissue bequeathed by registered donors and makes samples of the material available to scientists carrying out research on MS, Parkinson’s and related conditions. The donation of tissue is, therefore, a precious gift that will further our understanding of MS and Parkinson’s and make an essential contribution to finding a treatment for these conditions.
When And Why It Is Sometimes Not Possible To Go Ahead With The Tissue Retrieval
On rare occasions when we are not able to retrieve and preserve tissues within 48 hours due to unforeseen circumstances we will not go ahead with the tissue retrieval. This is because irreversible damage is induced in tissue samples after 48 hours and as such that tissue will not be useful for research. The Human Tissue Act introduced in 2006 clearly states that human tissue samples must not be taken if they are not to be used for the purpose specified in a given consent, i.e. medical research.
Major exclusion criteria for tissue retrieval:
- Presence of systemic infectious diseases, such as MRSA or septicaemia
- Unable to arrange retrieval within a specified time – currently 48 hours
- Death has to be certified by a coroner
- Too long a delay in being informed of death
- Our ability to rapidly retrieve tissue from our donors is very much reliant on the good will of GPs and NHS post mortem technicians. Their availability to assist is therefore not guaranteed.
Please note that this is not a conclusive list and other circumstances may arise in the future. We do our utmost to avoid delays by closely liaising with families and professionals.
Multiple Sclerosis Vs Parkinsons Disease: Us Prevalence And Economic Impact
Anyone can develop multiple sclerosis, but it mostly affects 20- to 40-year-olds. Prevalence of multiple sclerosis in the U.S. is estimated at over 400,000 cases, and nearly 200 new cases are diagnosed each week. Rates of multiple sclerosis are highest in areas furthest away from the equator, so the rates are higher in the Northern U.S.
Direct and indirect costs resulting from multiple sclerosis can range from $8,528 to $54,244.
One million Americans live with Parkinson’s disease. The average cost of Parkinson’s disease including treatment, lost work wages, and social security payments is $25 billion annually in the U.S.
What If I Do Not Wish To Proceed Or Change My Mind Once I Have Registered
We understand that the donation of tissue is not right for everyone. If you do not wish to register you do not need to do anything further. Thank you for reading through these pages, we hope that you have found the information interesting. If at any time after having registered you change your mind and for whatever reason decide to withdraw your consent, just let us know and we will return your original consent forms and remove your details from our computer database. If you have any queries either whilst deciding whether to register or once you have registered, please contact us.
Multiple Sclerosis Vs Parkinsons Disease: Risk Factors And Complications
Risk factors for multiple sclerosis include being female, having a family history of multiple sclerosis, having certain infections, being white of European descent, living furthest from the equator, living in temperate climate regions, already having an autoimmune disease, and smoking.
Complications resulting from multiple sclerosis include muscle stiffness and spasms, paralysis, problems with bladder, bowel, and sexual function, as well as forgetfulness, mood changes, depression, and epilepsy.
Risk factors for Parkinson’s disease include being over the age of 50, being male, having a family history of Parkinson’s disease, carrying gene variations, experiencing a head injury, being exposed to environmental toxins, and taking certain medications such as anti-anxiety medications or sleeping pills.
Complications associated with Parkinson’s disease include difficulty thinking, depression, emotional changes, swallowing problems, sleep problems and disorders, bladder issues, constipation, changes in blood pressure, smell dysfunction, fatigue, pain, and sexual dysfunction.
Discovery Raises Possibility Of New Medication For Alzheimers Parkinsons Erik Robinson
Researchers from Oregon Health & Science University have for the first time demonstrated it’s possible to use a synthetic thyroid hormone to regulate a gene implicated in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.
The findings from tests in cells and mice, , raise the possibility of development of new medication to treat debilitating diseases.
“This is the first example reported that shows it’s possible to increase the expression of the TREM2 gene in a way that will lead to healing in certain diseases,” said senior author Tom Scanlan, Ph.D., professor of physiology and pharmacology in the OHSU School of Medicine. “This will generate a lot of excitement.”
The paper’s first author is Skylar J. Ferrara, Ph.D., a postdoctoral fellow in the OHSU School of Medicine’s chemical physiology and biochemistry department.
The discovery builds on a 2013 publication linking genetic variants of TREM2 to risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The new research from OHSU builds on that work by showing that it’s possible to turn on TREM2 expression and the TREM2 pathway using a compound originally developed more than two decades ago to lower cholesterol.
The pathway activated by the TREM2 gene is also implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
“The possibility of doing clinical trials is not millions of miles away,” Scanlan said. “It would be an achievable thing.”
Signs It Might Be Multiple System Atrophy Instead Of Parkinsons Disease
Here are some clues as to whether it is multiple system atrophy or Parkinson’s disease. One of the easier distinctions is between PD and MSA-C .If the patient presents with unsteadiness while walking, uncoordinated arms and legs, bladder disturbance and/or dizziness when standing the diagnosis is more likely to be MSA-C. On the other hand, if a person looks Parkinsonian the distinction can be harder, but there are clues:
- In the earlier stages of MSA-P , which is often when people have just been told they have Parkinson’s disease, some patients will fall often.Frequent falls also occur in Parkinson’s disease, but it typically occurs 10-15 years after diagnosis.
- In patients with MSA the classic Parkinson’s drug L-Dopa may work initially but will stop working very quickly.It can continue working in PD patients for many years.
- Dementia is not associated with MSA however, it does occur in patients with lewy body Parkinson’s disease.
- Early autonomic nervous system symptoms such as low blood pressure when standing and issues with the bladder are often signs of possible MSA in patient’s diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
- Vocal cord issues are less common but very typical in MSA and much less common in PD.Some examples include difficulty getting words out, odd sighs and even falling asleep during a conversation.
Parkinson’s Disease And Multiple Sclerosis: Conditions And Differences
It’s important to note that, while both Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis are diseases of the CNS, they don’t originate in the same way. MS is an autoimmune disease, brought on by the immune system attacking myelin, the protective coating over the nerves in the CNS that also speeds up signals. This affects mainly the brain and spinal cord, though it can also affect the optic nerve as well. In Parkinson’s disease, the neurons in the brain die off without any known attack, with the lack of dopamine they produce leading to the onset of the disease. This doesn’t affect nerves in the spinal cord.
Other notable differences include:
Differentiating Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms With Parkinsons Disease
Signs and symptoms of multiple sclerosis include numbness or weakness in one or more limbs, partial or complete vision loss, prolonged double vision, tingling or pain, electric-shock sensations, tremors and lack of coordination, fatigue, dizziness, slurred speech, and problems with bowel and bladder function.
Parkinson’s disease symptoms typically begin with tremors followed by muscle stiffness, difficulty standing or walking, changes in speech, slow movements, impaired posture and balance, loss of automatic movements, and writing changes.
As you can see, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis do have some symptoms in common, which can make early diagnosis difficult.
The First Sign Of Parkinson’s And Multiple Sclerosis: A Dodgy Tummy
- Study suggests that brain disease can be caused by an unhealthy gut
- ‘Butterflies in the stomach’ could be linked to Parkinson’s and MS
17:07 EDT, 21 June 2014 | Updated:
Gut feeling: Brain disease can be caused by an unhealthy stomach
Anxiety or anticipation can often lead to a feeling of ‘butterflies in the stomach’ – which usually dissipates along with the source of the consternation.
But scientists have discovered that the nerve pathways between the gut and the brain that cause this phenomenon may also be linked to degenerative illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis , as well as some mental health problems.
Dr Anton Emmanuel, consultant neuro-gastroenterologist at University College London and the National Hospital for Neurology, explained: ‘The gut and brain share the same nerve chemistry and have a dialogue.
‘That’s why when you feel stress and other strong emotions, such as fear, it leads to gastrointestinal symptoms, like rushing to the loo.’
A new study suggests that brain disease can be caused by an unhealthy gut because these signals also travel in the opposite direction.
The study, which was published in the journal Movement Disorders, found that sufferers of Parkinson’s disease had a higher prevalence of a condition called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, or SIBO.
In SIBO, normally harmless bacteria proliferate in large numbers in the small intestine.
How Long Will My Tissues Be Stored And How Will They Be Disposed Of
Your tissues will be immersed in formaldehyde or stored frozen at –85oC. These preservation techniques ensure that tissues will remain usable in research for many years to come. Some research studies can be carried out on tissue that has been stored in this way for ten years or more. If we have to dispose of your tissues because they are no longer suitable for research, we will do so only after consulting the funding charities and other appropriate organisations to make sure that it is done in an ethical and respectful manner. Samples of tissue that have been used in research are usually archived and after a suitable length of time respectfully disposed of by the researcher.
Multiple Sclerosis Vs Parkinsons Disease: Treatment And Therapies
Treatment for multiple sclerosis is lifelong, and although it cannot cure the condition, it aims to minimize symptoms and allow the patients to live as normal of a life as possible. Some treatment methods include corticosteroids and plasma exchange, beta interferons, Glatiramer acetate, Dimethyl fumarate, Fingolimod, Teriflunomide, Natalizumab, Alemtuzumab, and Mitoxantrone, which all help to reduce the likelihood of relapses.
Other treatment methods include physical therapy to improve mobility, muscle relaxants, medications to reduce fatigue, and other medications like antidepressants, medications to control the bowels and bladder, and medications to improve sexual function.
Exercise, meditation, yoga, and acupuncture are also recommended as a means to reduce stress and improve overall mental and physical well-being.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease as well, but treatments are available to manage the symptoms and slow down the disease progression as much as possible. Alongside traditional treatments, supportive therapies are also used to improve different aspects of a person’s health.
Common medications prescribed in Parkinson’s disease include dopamine replacement therapy, dopamine agonists, anticholinergics, amantadine, monomine oxidase type B inhibitors, and catechol-o-methyl transferase inhibitors.
You can work closely with your doctor to create a specific treatment plan for you.
Genetic Link Discovered Between Immune System Parkinson’s Disease
- Date:
- Scientists have discovered new evidence that Parkinson’s disease may have an infectious or autoimmune origin.
A team of researchers has discovered new evidence that Parkinson’s disease may have an infectious or autoimmune origin.
The study was conducted by the NeuroGenetics Research Consortium, an international team of researchers led by Haydeh Payami, research scientist at the New York State Department of Health Wadsworth Center. The clinical directors for the study were Dr. Cyrus Zabetian, associate professor of neurology at the University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Stewart Factor at Emory University and John Nutt at Oregon Health and Sciences University. The study appears online in Nature Genetics.
The research team studied more than 2,000 Parkinson’s disease patients and 2,000 healthy volunteers from clinics in Oregon, Washington, New York and Georgia, assessing clinical, genetic and environmental factors that might contribute to the development and progression of Parkinson’s disease and its complications. Some of the research subjects were tracked for nearly two decades.
“Over the years, there have been subtle hints that immune function might be linked to Parkinson’s disease” said Zabetian. “But now we have much more convincing evidence of this and a better idea of which parts of the immune system might be involved.”
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Determining Diagnosis Through Response To Parkinsons Medication
If a person’s symptoms and neurologic examination are only suggestive of Parkinson’s disease or if the diagnosis is otherwise in doubt, the physician may, nevertheless, prescribe a medication intended for Parkinson’s disease to provide additional information. In the case of idiopathic Parkinson’s, there is typically a positive, predictable response to Parkinson’s disease medication; in the case of some related Parkinsonian syndromes, the response to medication may not be particularly robust, or it may be absent entirely.
Unfortunately, there are no standard biological tests for the disease, such as a blood test. However, researchers are actively trying to find biomarkers in blood and other bodily fluids that could help confirm the diagnosis.
So What Is It Is It Parkinsons Disease Or Is It Something Else
The answer is not easy, but many who feel they have more than Parkinson’s may in fact have multiple system atrophy .MSA is a very rare disorder that has similarities and features of Parkinsonism.However, it is so rare that many physicians are unfamiliar with it and so the diagnosis is not considered. As a result, a likely diagnosis of MSA might be delayed by years and even missed all together. What’s more, due to many symptoms that could possibly be attributed to other conditions diagnosing MSA can be challenging, even to the most experienced doctors. This can be very frustrating to those who know it is more than PD.
Research To Find Msa Biomarkers And An Earlier Msa Diagnosis
An important goal of the Coalition’s MSA Research Program is to fund and encourage the development of biomarkers to distinguish PD from MSA at a much earlier stage.The stakes are high.An accurate biomarker could lead to quicker development of treatments.In fact, a concern in past clinical trials of MSA treatments that failed is that maybe the patients in the trial are too late stage to show effectiveness.Increasing the number of known early stage MSA patients could improve the likelihood of finding treatments and even a cure.
How Is Parkinsons Dementia Different From Alzheimers Disease
The advanced cognitive changes that impact daily living in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease are both types of dementia.
Parkinson’s disease dementia can occur as Parkinson’s advances, after several years of motor symptoms. Dementia with Lewy Bodies is diagnosed when cognitive decline happens first, or when Parkinson’s motor symptoms and cognitive decline occur and progress closely together. Cognitive impairments in PDD, combined with the movement symptoms of the disease, produce a greater impact on social and occupational functioning than Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s, a fatal brain disease, causes declines in memory, thinking and reasoning skills. Physicians can diagnose Alzheimer’s. Visit the Alzheimer’s Association to learn the 10 signs Alzheimer’s disease.
Fortunately for people with PD, Parkinson’s disease dementia is less disabling than Alzheimer’s disease. People with Alzheimer’s have language difficulties earlier than people with Parkinson’s, and no new memories are formed. People with PD also have more ability to compensate and adjust based on cues.
Treatment Of Depression In The Setting Of Parkinsons Disease
The evidence base for the treatment of depression in PD is extremely slim. A recent Cochrane library review of treatments for depression in PD reported three randomised controlled trials fulfilling the criteria for inclusion.1 These trials included a total of 106 patients and indicated that nortryptilline was superior to placebo but that citalopram was not. The review concluded that there were “insufficient data on the effectiveness and safety of any antidepressant therapy in Parkinson’s disease”. There is an urgent need for larger scale clinical trials in this area.
Nevertheless, depression is common in PD and decisions have to be made about treatment. The last 10 years have seen a shift in prescribing practice away from tricyclic antidepressants and towards selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors as a first line treatment of depression in PD. The main reason for this is the more favourable side effect profile of SSRIs.
Tricyclic antidepressants
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors
Withdrawal syndromes can occur in people who stop SSRIs suddenly and can include flu-like symptoms, insomnia, nausea, imbalance, sensory disturbance, and hyperarousal . Therefore SSRIs should be reduced slowly.
?SSRI withdrawal symptoms
Other treatments for depression
Brain Imaging And Other Tools To Aid Diagnosis Of Parkinsons
In addition to taking a history and performing a detailed neurologic examination, physicians sometimes use brain imaging to help support a particular diagnosis. However, these studies have their limitations in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease and are typically used only in select patients. Brain imaging is not routinely performed by neurologists or movement disorder specialists when they are considering a diagnosis, especially if the person’s symptoms strongly suggest to the physician that idiopathic Parkinson’s disease is the correct diagnosis.
Helping diagnose Parkinson’s with DaTscan and other tests
Rather, use of imaging is most helpful when the diagnosis is uncertain, or when physicians are looking for changes in the brain that are more typical of one of several Parkinsonian syndromes and other conditions that can mimic Parkinson’s. Imaging studies to evaluate Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonian syndromes include magnetic resonance imaging , which examines the structure of the brain, and DaTscan, an imaging test approved by the Food and Drug Administration to detect the dopamine function in the brain. A DaTscan may help differentiate idiopathic Parkinson’s disease from certain other neurologic disorders. Most physicians’ offices will have access to MRI; however, DaTscan imaging may only be available at larger hospitals or medical centers.
What Happens To My Body After The Tissues Have Been Removed
The procedure used for removing the tissues will leave your body in a suitable state to be viewed at an open casket funeral. Since the tissues are removed as soon as possible after death, your donation to the Tissue Bank will not delay arrangements for the funeral. We will organise for the body to be transported from the hospital where the tissues were removed to the firm of undertakers that are going to be responsible for the funeral. No extra costs will be incurred by your relatives or carers as a result of these procedures.
Comparing Multiple Sclerosis And Parkinsons Disease Causes
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin, causing damage and thus exposing nerve fibers. Like many autoimmune diseases, the exact cause is unknown, but environmental, immunologic, infectious, and genetic factors have all been found to play a role in the onset of multiple sclerosis.
When certain nerve cells in the brain begin to die or break down that is what causes Parkinson’s disease, but why this occurs is unclear. Some factors that contribute to nerve cell death include genetics as specific gene mutations have been identified to contribute to Parkinson’s disease, environmental factors such as exposure to certain toxins, the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain as well as alpha-synuclein found in Lewy bodies.
What Is The Best Way To Communicate With A Person With Pdd
PD-related mood and motor changes can impact communication; cognitive changes and Parkinson’s disease dementia can further these difficulties.
- It is not usually helpful to try to reason or argue with someone experiencing a hallucination or delusion. Stay calm and be patient. If the person is frightened by the hallucination or delusion, try to redirect their attention to something else.
- You may find acknowledging what the person is seeing, even if you do not see it, can reduce stress.
- Speak slowly and at eye level. Communicate in simple sentences.
- Ask one question at a time and wait for an answer.
- Limit distractions. Turn off the TV or radio before asking a person with PDD to do something.
- Consider causes behind disruptive behavior: the person may be hungry, thirsty, tired, in pain, frustrated, lonely or bored.
- If the person is stuck on an idea, try agreeing with them, then changing the subject.
- It’s OK to use humor to diffuse stressful situations but avoid negative humor or sarcasm ? these can be misunderstood.
Page reviewed by Dr. Jori Fleisher, MSCE, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurological Sciences at Rush University Medical Center, a Parkinson’s Foundation Center of Excellence.
What Are The Primary Motor Symptoms Of Parkinsons Disease
There are four primary motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability . Observing two or more of these symptoms is the main way that physicians diagnose Parkinson’s.
It is important to know that not all of these symptoms must be present for a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease to be considered. In fact, younger people may only notice one or two of these motor symptoms, especially in the early stages of the disease. Not everyone with Parkinson’s disease has a tremor, nor is a tremor proof of Parkinson’s. If you suspect Parkinson’s, see a neurologist or movement disorders specialist.
Tremors
Read more about Parkinson’s tremors
Rigidity
Bradykinesia
mask-like expression of the face
Postural Instability
Walking or Gait Difficulties
Dystonia
Vocal Symptoms
Scales Used To Measure Depression In Parkinsons Disease
As mentioned above, symptoms of idiopathic PD have considerable overlap with those of depression. This means that standard rating scales for depression may not be valid in this situation. Rating scales for depression may be loaded with “somatic” or “vegetative” symptoms, which reduce their validity.
Three rating scales have been tested using a clinical interview with operationalised diagnosis as a gold standard. Using receiver operating curves, the sensitivity and specificity at a given “cut off” point can be calculated. From this methodology, it is clear that the Beck depression inventory is not a useful rating scale in PD. The Montgomery and Asberg depression rating scale and the Hamilton depression scale have performed better. In summary, diagnosis of depression should be made clinically, using appropriate diagnostic criteria, with severity or response to treatment being measured using MADRS or HAM-D.
Knowing That It Is Msa And Not Parkinsons Is Important
Over the years MSA Coalition Board Members have heard the frustration about a slow diagnosis after the initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s.While MSA is fatal, knowing the correct diagnosis, is still important.
Multiple system atrophy affects “multiple systems” in the body.As a result, while there are not MSA specific treatments, treating the various symptoms from sleep disorders, urinary and bowel issues, blood pressure control, etc. can vastly improve quality of life. The earlier an MSA patient is diagnosed, the earlier doctors can establish a plan of action to improve symptoms that can be very disabling. Another factor is that Parkinson’s medications typically stop working in MSA patients.
An early diagnosis also allows patients and their families to spend quality time together while they are still able.It also provides time to prepare for end-of-life issues, such as preparing wills and living wills.
Parkinsons And Multiple Sclerosis Case Study: Virginia
One recent case illustrating the power of water to combat problems related to major conditions involves a 67-year-old patient diagnosed with both Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s who sought treatment at a senior living campus. The woman, Virginia, has been wheelchair bound due to her illnesses, but was particularly concerned because her body had begun to lean to the left to the point where she could not easily read the newspaper, play the piano or easily put on her slacks.
Virginia was determined not to allow her conditions to stop her from having a good quality of life. Therefore, she turned to water therapy twice a week. When she began her rehabilitation, it was very difficult for her to bear any weight until she was significantly submerged and the buoyancy could prevent her from falling. After three months, she improved her core strength to the point where she could sit and stand upright, and could exercise in water depths that were lower than before.
As Virginia’s physical therapist now notes, she has improved to the point where she can stand against currents created by resistance jets. Additionally, her posture is much better. Most exciting of all from Virginia’s perspective was when she had a check-up with her neurologist who was amazed at the results. Now, Virginia plays the piano for up to 45 minutes at a time without leaning to the left, and can feel the positive effects of being stronger and more stable.
Link Between Multiple Sclerosis Vs Parkinsons Disease
Researchers have found that nerve pathways in the gut and the brain may be linked to multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Dr. Anton Emmanuel explained, “The gut and brain share the same nerve chemistry and have a dialogue. That’s why when you feel stress and other strong emotions, such as fear, it leads to gastrointestinal symptoms, like rushing to the .”
The study suggests that an unhealthy gut can trigger the onset of brain disease as the signals from brain to gut can also travel in the opposite direction – from gut to brain. The findings of the study were published in the journal Movement Disorders where researchers found that Parkinson’s disease sufferers have a higher prevalence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth .
The researchers suggest the bacteria produce toxic chemicals affecting the nerves in the gut and this way causing damage to the brain. This can bring about the onset of multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease.
Dr. Emmanuel said, “We now think that neurological diseases such as MS and Parkinson’s are linked to the gut being more leaky, permitting pathogens into the bloodstream and causing an antibody response. Either the pathogens, directly, or the immune response, indirectly, may damage nerve tissue.”
Researchers are now exploring bacterial genomes that can help identify the bacteria so that doctors can specifically treat it as a means of preventing Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.