Five Things You Should Know About Parkinsons Disease
Neurosurgeon Michael Park, MD, PhD, has seen the impact Parkinsons disease can have on a life.
Park believes understanding the disease, its symptoms and its potential treatments is important for patientsand the family and friends of those diagnosed with Parkinsons. That is why Park, who specializes in an innovative Parkinsons therapy known as deep brain stimulation, chose to share his expertise with us in honor of World Parkinsons Day.;
Roughly 60,000 people in the United States have been diagnosed with Parkinsons, and World Parkinsons Day is an opportunity to increase public awareness of this disease.
Parkinsons is a progressive disorder characterized by difficulty with movement.People with Parkinsons disease, a progressive nervous system disorder, experience symptoms that hamper their movement in many ways. The disorder may start with a barely noticeable tremor, and progress to more significant shaking. Patients often experience stiffness or rigidity in their arms and legs. They may also find it difficult to start moving or walk, a medical condition known as a freezing of gait. Parkinsons can also affect speech.;
In addition to their symptoms, Parkinsons patients are often dealing with side effects from the medication theyre taking, Park said.
What we know now is that there is a disruption in the circuitry that controls our movement, said Park.
Myth 4: Aside From Medication There Isnt Much You Can Do
Fact: This it is what it is; theres nothing I can do to help myself myth is counterproductive. There is a lot you can do chiefly, keeping as active as you can. A recent study found that patients with Parkinsons who took part in weekly, hourlong exercise sessions were able to do more in their daily lives than those who did not.
How Is Parkinsons Disease Treated
There is no cure for Parkinsons disease. However, medications and other treatments can help relieve some of your symptoms. Exercise can help your Parkinsons symptoms significantly. In addition, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language therapy can help with walking and balance problems, eating and swallowing challenges and speech problems. Surgery is an option for some patients.
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Signs Of Parkinsons Disease
In 1817, Dr. James Parkinson published An Essay on the Shaking Palsy describing non-motor, as well as, motor symptoms of the illness that bears his name. Parkinsons is not just a movement disorder, explained Dr. Shprecher. Constipation, impaired sense of smell, and dream enactment can occur years before motor symptoms of Parkinsons. The latter, caused by a condition called REM sleep behavior disorder, is a very strong risk factor for both Parkinsons and dementia . This has prompted us to join a consortium of centers studying REM sleep behavior disorder.
Caregiving For People Living With Parkinsons
Caring for a loved one with PD can be a challenging job, especially as the disease progresses. Former caregivers of a loved one with PD suggest doing the following : Get prepared, Take care of yourself, Get help , Work to maintain a good relationship with your loved one, and Encourage the person with PD for whom you care, to stay active.
Preparing for caregiving starts with education. Reading this fact sheet is a good start. More resources are available to you in theResources section of this fact sheet. Early Parkinsonâs disease usually requires more emotional support and less hands-on care. It is a good time for family members/caregivers to educate themselves about the disease.
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Diet For Parkinsons Disease
Diet plays an imperative role in the lives of people with Parkinsons. Therefore, a healthy and balanced diet can have a significant effect, even though it cannot prevent or treat the progression of its symptoms.
Since Parkinsons is caused by decreased dopamine levels in the brain, natural foods can help increase its level.
A healthy diet that is focused on certain nutrients can help reduce the symptoms of Parkinsons and prevent their progression. Some of these foods are:
The 5 Stages Of Parkinsons Disease
Getting older is underrated by most. Its a joyful experience to sit back, relax and watch the people in your life grow up, have kids of their own and flourish. Age can be a beautiful thing, even as our bodies begin to slow down. We spoke with David Shprecher, DO, movement disorders director at Banner Sun Health Research Institute;about a well-known illness which afflicts as many as 2% of people older than 65, Parkinsons Disease.
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Myth 6: Deep Brain Stimulation Is Experimental Therapy
Fact: Deep brain stimulation, or DBS, is a procedure in which doctors place electrodes in the brain at the point when medications are less effective in masking motor symptoms, such as tremor, stiffness and slowness of movement.
While it may sound frightening and futuristic, its been around and successfully used for decades. DBS works very similarly to a pacemaker, except the wire is in the brain, not in the heart. Its been a standard procedure for the past two decades.
Causes Of Parkinsons Disease
Scientists and researchers have not been able to determine the exact cause of Parkinsons disease. They have multiple views. Some may comprise both environmental and genetic components, and others think viruses can trigger it.
Norepinephrine is another substance present in the body that controls the regulation of dopamine. Decreased levels of both these substances are linked with Parkinsons disease. Lewy bodies are abnormal proteins present in people with Parkinsons. Their role and link with Parkinsons are still unknown.
Even though there is no specified cause for Parkinsons, researchers have identified different groups of people who have a higher chance of developing this condition. Some of them are:
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Is There A Treatment
Parkinsons is considered a lifelong chronic disorder, and it cant be cured as a result. Some medicines can help control symptoms, and in more advanced cases, surgery might be recommended.;
Medicines that increase or replace dopamine are the first-line treatment in many cases. These medicines can help with movement and walking problems as well as tremors.;
You cant take dopamine directly, but these medicines can help your body more easily make dopamine.
For example, the most effective drug for PD is called Levodopa. This is a chemical that can pass the blood-brain barrier, and once there, its converted to dopamine.;
Inbrija is a new brand-name version of carbidopa-levodopa, which is the same ingredient in Levodopa. This medicine is an inhaled form of the drug, and theres also an infusion version.;
Other types of medications for Parkinsons can include:
- Dopamine agonists: These dont change into dopamine in your brain, so theyre different from Levodopa. Rather, this replicates the effects of dopamine in the brain. Theyre not as effective as Levodopa, but they tend to work for longer.;
- MAO B Inhibitors: These medicines help prevent dopamine from breaking down in the brain.;
- COMT Inhibitors: These medications can prolong how long levodopa therapy lasts by blocking an enzyme that breaks down dopamine.;
- Anticholinergics: These medicines can help in controlling tremors linked to Parkinsons.;
What Are Home Remedies Available
While you will need to take the medications, your doctor will also recommend home remedies. The most common include a change in your eating habits. There are certain foods and combinations that can help to prevent the development and progression of Parkinsons. You want to add more foods that boost the dopamine levels in the brain to prevent the development of the disease and breaking down of the cells.
Your diet can also manage some of the other symptoms and complications. For example, a high fiber diet can help to keep your digestive system functioning to reduce constipation.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been considered the best for preventing Parkinsons disease progresses. The fatty acids protect the cells and reduce oxidative damage within the brain. They can also help to manage some of the cognitive side effects of the condition.
Exercise has been proven to be highly beneficial for those with Parkinsons. It helps to boost the happy hormones in the brain but can also improve muscle flexibility and strength. You can also improve your balance, which can be affected by the condition.
Avoid moving too quickly, especially if you have low blood pressure. Have a friend with you when you do exercise, especially if your disease is spreading.
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How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated
If a doctor thinks a person has Parkinson’s disease, there’s reason for hope. Medicine can be used to eliminate or improve the symptoms, like the body tremors. And some experts think that a cure may be found soon.
For now, a medicine called levodopa is often given to people who have Parkinson’s disease. Called “L-dopa,” this medicine increases the amount of dopamine in the body and has been shown to improve a person’s ability to walk and move around. Other drugs also help decrease and manage the symptoms by affecting dopamine levels. In some cases, surgery may be needed to treat it. The person would get anesthesia, a special kind of medicine to prevent pain during the operation.
Parkinsons Disease: Brain Condition Known To Significantly Affect Skin What To Spot
People with Parkinsons often experience changes to their skin.
Changes in the skin could include oiliness and red, itchy, flaky skin known as seborrheic dermatitis.
European Parkinsons Disease Association said: The most common change in the skin with Parkinsons is increased oiliness, particularly around the forehead, nose and scalp, where the sebaceous glands are concentrated.
Parkinsons can cause an excess secretion from these glands of an oily substance called sebum which keeps skin supple and provides protection, but in excess results in the skin looking greasy and shiny.
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Stooping Or Hunching Over
Are you not standing up as straight as you used to? If you or your family or friends notice that you seem to be stooping, leaning or slouching when you stand, it could be a sign of Parkinson’s disease .
What is normal?If you have pain from an injury or if you are sick, it might cause you to stand crookedly. Also, a problem with your bones can make you hunch over.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinsons disease occurs when;brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. Because PD can cause tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems, it is called a movement disorder. But constipation, depression, memory problems and other non-movement symptoms also can be part of Parkinsons. PD is a lifelong and progressive disease, which means that symptoms slowly worsen over time.
The experience of living with Parkinson’s over the course of a lifetime is;unique to each person. As symptoms and progression vary from person to person, neither you nor your doctor can predict which symptoms you will get, when you will get them or how severe they will be. Even though broad paths of similarity are observed among individuals with PD as the disease progresses, there is no guarantee you will experience what you see in others.
Parkinsons affects;nearly 1 million people in the United States;and;more than 6 million people worldwide.
For an in-depth guide to navigating Parkinsons disease and living well as the disease progresses, check out our;Parkinsons 360 toolkit.
What Is Parkinson’s Disease?
Dr. Rachel Dolhun, a movement disorder specialist and vice president of medical communications at The Michael J. Fox Foundation, breaks down the basics of Parkinson’s.
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Heres What You Need To Know About Parkinsons Disease
According to a report by the American Parkinsons Disease Association, nearly 1 million people living in the country suffer from Parkinsons disease. This association plans to educate people about this condition as well as the various problems that accompany it.
What is Parkinsons disease?Parkinsons disease is an ailment that has a negative impact on the functioning of the human brain. It spreads slowly because of which an early diagnosis becomes nearly impossible. It comes gradually with a mild disturbance in movements, and slowly it starts impacting other activities like sleep, speech, and even the ability to think. Its other symptoms like the rigidity of muscles, problems with digestions are too vague because of which patients may get an inaccurate diagnosis in the early stages.
Impact of Parkinsons disease on the human bodyThe main effect of Parkinsons disease is the way it decreases the amount of dopamine in the body. Dopamine is a hormone that helps in the controlling motor and non-motor functions in our body. If the body has a dopamine deficiency, it leads to stilted walking, movements that are uncontrollable as well as tremors. There are many other symptoms that are less noticeable like loss of smell and constipation. Lets have a look at a few details regarding the life expectancy of patients who have Parkinsons disease.
Exercise Is Vital For Managing Parkinsons Disease
Research shows that people with Parkinsons disease who exercised a minimum of two and a half hours a week experienced a slower decline in quality of life. Regular exercise helps significantly with maintaining balance, mobility and the ability to accomplish daily tasks. Workouts that focus on flexibility, stretching, aerobic activity and resistance training such as tai chi, Pilates and dance are often the most appropriate.
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The Parkinsons Community Is Strong
The Parkinsons Foundation is here for our global Parkinsons community that includes family members and caregivers. The Foundation hosts;Moving Day walks across the nation and also provides additional ways to get involved donate, volunteer, host a fundraiser, join PD Conversations;or advocate.
Keep reading:Get Involved
Were here for you. Learn more about Parkinsons disease by calling or emailing our toll-free Helpline at 1-800-4PD-INFO or .;
Slice Title3 Things We Know About Parkinson’s
Parkinson’s develops when cells in the brain stop working properly and are lost over time.;These brain cells produce a chemical called dopamine.
Symptoms start to appear when the brain cant make enough dopamine to control movement properly.
There are 3 main symptoms – tremor , slowness of movement and rigidity – but there are many other symptoms too.
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What Are Parkinsons Symptoms
How do you know if someone has Parkinsons? Getting early treatment can help to slow down progression, but how do you know if the symptoms are Parkinsons or something else?
One of the most common early signs is a tremor. This often starts just in one limb, and usually in one part of the limb. Many experiences it in the fingers or hand first and it can sometimes involve back-and-forth rubbing between the index finger and thumb. This is called a pill-rolling tremor and something you or your loved one may do without realizing.
The tremor is often present when the hand is at rest. Theres no reason for the shaking, such as a pressure on the nerve.
As the muscles are affected, another symptom can be slowed movements. This can include dragging the feet while walking, finding it harder to get out of a chair or the bed, or other movements being slow. The muscles can become stiff, which also limits the movements and makes it harder to do normal, everyday things.
In some cases, the movements stop entirely. Some people find it impossible to blink or swing their arms. This affects the facial expressions, too. It can be hard to frown, smile, or make other small movements within the face.
Of course, the handwriting can change. Its harder to grip a pen or keep the pen steady to write anything. Handwriting often becomes smaller, as you make as limited movements as possible.
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 .
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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.;;
Treatments To Manage The Symptoms
As mentioned, there are no cures for this. The treatments help to manage the condition, controlling symptoms and preventing complications. Many of the symptoms start off orally but there may be surgical treatments later. Your doctor will also likely encourage you to change your lifestyle to help manage the levels of dopamine naturally in your brain and encourage some speech therapy and other therapy to manage the side effects of the symptoms.
Medication is one of the most common treatments offered. Your doctor will want to help manage the dopamine levels, but its not possible to give dopamine directly since it needs to get to your brain and that isnt possible through medications. You need to use medications that help to encourage the brain to make more naturally.
Continual monitoring will be needed, as the body can get used to the medication levels. Doctors will need to adjust medications to ensure they always work.
Carbidopa-levodopa is the most common medication used and not just for diagnosis. Its highly effective and is a natural chemical that is converted to dopamine within the brain. The medication is two components joined together to help prevent premature conversion outside the brain to ensure proper treatment. You may experience some dizziness from the treatment, due to low blood pressure. Unfortunately, the dosage will need to be increased over time and high levels may have the opposite effect on your symptoms.
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