Due to nerve cell loss in the brain (substantia nigra) resulting in less dopamine production leading to involuntary movement causing people with parkinson's difficulty in breathing , relaxation and swallowing.
They have anxiety, depression, stress, insomina, constipation, involuntary movement which are affecting their lifestyle either mentally or physically.
Learning to do deep breathing by using your core muscle to relax your mental depression and helpful for your immunity against illness.
In short we use deep breathing in any exercises; stretching,straightening and strenghtening our body to deal with either mental or phsyical health.
There are deep breathing exercises; Tai Chi, Yoga, Pilate, cardio, spinning for your choice. It improve for your better posture, stretching and straightening your muscle of upper and lower part . Besides it trains your endurance, patience,consistency and perseverance to deal with the chronic disease.
Relaxation experts advise anywhere from five to ten deep breaths in and out slowly (to a count of 5), relaxing your body.
At the same time, they advise picking one word or phrase (some call it a “mantra”) to repeat as you breathe in, and again as you breathe out.
This will help you concentrate on your breathing, and distract you from the stressful, overwhelming situation in which you find yourself. You may not be able to remove your body, but you can relax it.
Practicing breathing exercises has both physical and emotional benefits for you. For one thing, you can do them anywhere and at any time. For another thing, this type of breathing gets more oxygen into your body and will improve your ability to think clearly, helping you to better cope with the situation at hand. With a clear mind and a relaxed body, you will be able to quickly and easily deal with that overwhelming feeling of stress
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Gene and Parkinson's
People with Parkinson’s disease commonly suffer a slowing or freezing of movement caused by the death of neurons that make dopamine, a key chemical that allows brain cells to send and receive messages essential to voluntary movements.Patients regain the ability to move, seemingly miraculously, by taking L-DOPA or related drugs that mimic the missing dopamine. After a few years on L-DOPA, however, most patients again lose motor control — but in an opposite way. Instead of too little, there is too much movement, like involuntary nodding and rocking — side effects known as L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias.
“L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias are a major problem for patients, and there is a great need to help with these drug side effects,” said MIT Institute Professor Ann Graybiel, a prominent Parkinson’s researcher at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT.
Graybiel and her colleagues have identified two molecules whose expression in the brain is altered in the brains of animals with L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias. The results may lead to new approaches to the treatment of dyskinesias in Parkinson’s patients, of which there are more than 1 million in the United States alone.
“We’re very excited because these genes are concentrated in precisely the places that lose dopamine in Parkinson’s disease, so they might be reasonable targets to go after therapeutically,” Graybiel said.
The two related genes, named CalDAG-GEFI and CalDAG-GEFII, which are believed to be involved in signaling inside neurons, are expressed in the striatum, a brain structure essential for the control of movement and the main target of the dopamine-containing nerve tract that degenerates in Parkinson’s disease.
In a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, the two genes showed opposite changes when the animals were treated with L-DOPA. CalDAG-GEFI showed decreased expression while CalDAG-GEFII was increased.
“Moreover, the changes in the rat brain were proportional to the severity of the drug-induced dyskinesias. The more exaggerated the movements, the greater the dysregulation of these genes,” said first author Jill Crittenden, a research scientist in the Graybiel Lab.
These CalDAG-GEF genes are thought to work by controlling the activity of other important signaling molecules (Ras, Rap and ERK) that are expressed in many different parts of the body and have many different biological functions. Other labs have shown that inhibiting Ras or ERK in animal models of dyskinesias prevents these involuntary movements.
“But because Ras and ERK do so many things, they are not promising drug targets because blocking them would probably have many unwanted effects,” Crittenden said. “Because the CalDAG-GEF molecules control ERK and because they are so enriched in the very part of the brain that controls these involuntary movements, regulating them could have therapeutic value for dyskinesia without causing other problems.”
This research was published Jan. 26 in the advance online issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
This study was funded by the Stanley H. and Sheila G. Sydney Fund, the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Parkinson Foundation. Coauthors Ippolita Canturi-Castelvetri, Lauren Kett and Anne Young (Massachusetts General Hospital); Esen Saka (Hacettepe University, Turkey); Christine Keller-McGandy and Ledia Hernandez (MIT); and David Standaert (University of Alabama, Birmington) contributed to this study.
Adapted from materials provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Tags: Discussion Edit // Add Comment »
“L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias are a major problem for patients, and there is a great need to help with these drug side effects,” said MIT Institute Professor Ann Graybiel, a prominent Parkinson’s researcher at the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT.
Graybiel and her colleagues have identified two molecules whose expression in the brain is altered in the brains of animals with L-DOPA-induced dyskinesias. The results may lead to new approaches to the treatment of dyskinesias in Parkinson’s patients, of which there are more than 1 million in the United States alone.
“We’re very excited because these genes are concentrated in precisely the places that lose dopamine in Parkinson’s disease, so they might be reasonable targets to go after therapeutically,” Graybiel said.
The two related genes, named CalDAG-GEFI and CalDAG-GEFII, which are believed to be involved in signaling inside neurons, are expressed in the striatum, a brain structure essential for the control of movement and the main target of the dopamine-containing nerve tract that degenerates in Parkinson’s disease.
In a rat model of Parkinson’s disease, the two genes showed opposite changes when the animals were treated with L-DOPA. CalDAG-GEFI showed decreased expression while CalDAG-GEFII was increased.
“Moreover, the changes in the rat brain were proportional to the severity of the drug-induced dyskinesias. The more exaggerated the movements, the greater the dysregulation of these genes,” said first author Jill Crittenden, a research scientist in the Graybiel Lab.
These CalDAG-GEF genes are thought to work by controlling the activity of other important signaling molecules (Ras, Rap and ERK) that are expressed in many different parts of the body and have many different biological functions. Other labs have shown that inhibiting Ras or ERK in animal models of dyskinesias prevents these involuntary movements.
“But because Ras and ERK do so many things, they are not promising drug targets because blocking them would probably have many unwanted effects,” Crittenden said. “Because the CalDAG-GEF molecules control ERK and because they are so enriched in the very part of the brain that controls these involuntary movements, regulating them could have therapeutic value for dyskinesia without causing other problems.”
This research was published Jan. 26 in the advance online issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
This study was funded by the Stanley H. and Sheila G. Sydney Fund, the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Parkinson Foundation. Coauthors Ippolita Canturi-Castelvetri, Lauren Kett and Anne Young (Massachusetts General Hospital); Esen Saka (Hacettepe University, Turkey); Christine Keller-McGandy and Ledia Hernandez (MIT); and David Standaert (University of Alabama, Birmington) contributed to this study.
Adapted from materials provided by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.
Tags: Discussion Edit // Add Comment »
Friday, January 30, 2009
Do your eye blinking?
Joined: 03 Mar 2007Posts: 120Location: Malaysia
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:01 am Post subject: Do your eye blinking?
Parkinson’s disease does not affect the eyes’ ability to see but there can be some eye-related concern. Due to the mask-like face that some patients can experience, there can be a decreased rate of automatic blinking . Though Eye movement disorders do not always cause functional problem many people as they age may not bother. However,lack of eye coordination, people experience double vision when looking in certain direction. Some people who have this problem do not complain of double vision, but say that their eyes tire quickly when they read My eyes feel tired easily and I use eye tears to drop my eyes few times a day as I have decreased rate of automatic blinking. I could not see clearly at night when I am driving._________________to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 3:01 am Post subject: Do your eye blinking?
Parkinson’s disease does not affect the eyes’ ability to see but there can be some eye-related concern. Due to the mask-like face that some patients can experience, there can be a decreased rate of automatic blinking . Though Eye movement disorders do not always cause functional problem many people as they age may not bother. However,lack of eye coordination, people experience double vision when looking in certain direction. Some people who have this problem do not complain of double vision, but say that their eyes tire quickly when they read My eyes feel tired easily and I use eye tears to drop my eyes few times a day as I have decreased rate of automatic blinking. I could not see clearly at night when I am driving._________________to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Yoga and exercise
I have exercises in the gym i.e body pump, body combat, spinning, cardio, box and kick execises
I consider Yoga has most benefits for parkinson's patient.Yoga is a mind, mood and soul exercises. It orginating from India two thousand ago and been technically scientific and modified by western into one of the physical exercise that promote mind,mood and spirit.
Parkinson's disease is a movement and non movement disorder's kindly consider learning Yoga as a tool to combat the diseases. It teaches you on how to relief your muscle stiffness, rigidity and stretching as well as twisting your hip bones and seat bone either standing and seating to uplifting your stoop postures. Yoga strenthen your muscle and increase mobility in jointsIt also aids patients in relaxation and have a disability and are struggling with managing your body or symptoms yoga could be a very good choice.
It also teaches you relaxation techniques on how to cool down and relief your anxieties, depression, insomina , and temper which are most helpful for parkinson's patient and provide strength to handle other troubles that beset you.. It is also a discipline improve your emotional and spiritual health as well.Yoga is becoming an increasingly popular means of relieving pain and increasing comfort for people with many different types of disabilities. Many patients practice adaptive yoga, which takes into consideration a patients wants and concerns as well as their limitations. Those with multiple sclerosis, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, post-surgical conditions, Parkinson's disease, stroke, arthritis, or simply a very sedentary lifestyle have been helped by doing yoga.
I consider Yoga has most benefits for parkinson's patient.Yoga is a mind, mood and soul exercises. It orginating from India two thousand ago and been technically scientific and modified by western into one of the physical exercise that promote mind,mood and spirit.
Parkinson's disease is a movement and non movement disorder's kindly consider learning Yoga as a tool to combat the diseases. It teaches you on how to relief your muscle stiffness, rigidity and stretching as well as twisting your hip bones and seat bone either standing and seating to uplifting your stoop postures. Yoga strenthen your muscle and increase mobility in jointsIt also aids patients in relaxation and have a disability and are struggling with managing your body or symptoms yoga could be a very good choice.
It also teaches you relaxation techniques on how to cool down and relief your anxieties, depression, insomina , and temper which are most helpful for parkinson's patient and provide strength to handle other troubles that beset you.. It is also a discipline improve your emotional and spiritual health as well.Yoga is becoming an increasingly popular means of relieving pain and increasing comfort for people with many different types of disabilities. Many patients practice adaptive yoga, which takes into consideration a patients wants and concerns as well as their limitations. Those with multiple sclerosis, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, post-surgical conditions, Parkinson's disease, stroke, arthritis, or simply a very sedentary lifestyle have been helped by doing yoga.
Physical and mental health
People with Parkinson’s disease report improving their physical and mental (emotional) health through physical activity.
Exercise can be expensive, but it does not have to be.
You can pay a premium for gyms, trainers, and equipment. However, there are many ways to exercise such as walking, or participating in activities at community centers, that are less expensive.
Exercise is hard work, especially if you are not used to it. Some people may need to start with short and easy activities, and build strength.
People who exercise sharpen their mental and physical abilities.
There are benefits for regular exercises:
Better Motor performance,trunk rotation, hand-eye coordination, stability and balance
while Non-motor symptoms:Muscle volume and strength
For myself I spend three hours daily on exercises at the gym . I take part yoga, body pump, combat and spinning classes daily. I have two trainers for myself and learn how to stretching, balance and flexibilities, I do Box and kick exercises too.Besides medication exercises relieve me from my slow movement. I have to fight and manage my Parkinson's. My doctor told me I do not like parkinson's patient as I am now normal. He was surprised at my progress
The key to fight the Parkinson's disease are as follow: Understand the symptoms of PD as knowledge is a power. Physical exercises to stretching the slowness of movement and relieve the stiffness of your muscle
Medication is to help you to slowdown the diseases. Prayer is to comfort your mental uncertainties.
Exercise can be expensive, but it does not have to be.
You can pay a premium for gyms, trainers, and equipment. However, there are many ways to exercise such as walking, or participating in activities at community centers, that are less expensive.
Exercise is hard work, especially if you are not used to it. Some people may need to start with short and easy activities, and build strength.
People who exercise sharpen their mental and physical abilities.
There are benefits for regular exercises:
Better Motor performance,trunk rotation, hand-eye coordination, stability and balance
while Non-motor symptoms:Muscle volume and strength
For myself I spend three hours daily on exercises at the gym . I take part yoga, body pump, combat and spinning classes daily. I have two trainers for myself and learn how to stretching, balance and flexibilities, I do Box and kick exercises too.Besides medication exercises relieve me from my slow movement. I have to fight and manage my Parkinson's. My doctor told me I do not like parkinson's patient as I am now normal. He was surprised at my progress
The key to fight the Parkinson's disease are as follow: Understand the symptoms of PD as knowledge is a power. Physical exercises to stretching the slowness of movement and relieve the stiffness of your muscle
Medication is to help you to slowdown the diseases. Prayer is to comfort your mental uncertainties.
Parkinson's and age
Parkinson's and Age What is the difference between getting old and having Parkinson's? My 87 yr. old Mother-in-Law has much poorer balance, moves much more slowly, and is much less flexible than 65 yr. old me. Yet she's said to be OLD and I'm said to be a PWP. The only classical symptom where she comes off looking better than me is tremors, but I'm clearly trouncing her in three of the four most prevalent symptoms.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
I have muscle cramps
I have muscles cramps, stiffness, tightness, pains on my hip,thigh,shin,ankle, hamstring (tendon behind the knee) on left and right leg,cheek ,shoulder and neck for the past of 20 years before I had diagnosed as Parkinson's disease, sitting,standing and walking and it comes and goes few times a day.
I used to be treated by physcial and massage therapies. I couldnot remember which one comes first or later. I have stoop posture, slow movement and masked face without smile.
I was diagnosed as Parkinson's patients in year 2005. I realize that the muscle cramps was caused by my disorders nervous system (lack of dopamine); brain cells need dopamine to send messages to other parts of your brain, and to nerves and muscles throughout your body, help you move smoothly and do the right thing at the right time.
Besides Parkinson's medications, exercises, diet, nutrition and supplements I engaged PTA to strengthen my stoop posture, stretching my leg up and down, left and right, head and back few times to relief the stiffness and tightness.
At the same times I do stretching and straighting with both leg in and out for 30 times a day.
I place hot/cold pak on the affected mucles to ease the pain.
This is my experience on how I deal the muscle cramps.
There are other reason caused muscle cramps besides Parkinson's disease.
I used to be treated by physcial and massage therapies. I couldnot remember which one comes first or later. I have stoop posture, slow movement and masked face without smile.
I was diagnosed as Parkinson's patients in year 2005. I realize that the muscle cramps was caused by my disorders nervous system (lack of dopamine); brain cells need dopamine to send messages to other parts of your brain, and to nerves and muscles throughout your body, help you move smoothly and do the right thing at the right time.
Besides Parkinson's medications, exercises, diet, nutrition and supplements I engaged PTA to strengthen my stoop posture, stretching my leg up and down, left and right, head and back few times to relief the stiffness and tightness.
At the same times I do stretching and straighting with both leg in and out for 30 times a day.
I place hot/cold pak on the affected mucles to ease the pain.
This is my experience on how I deal the muscle cramps.
There are other reason caused muscle cramps besides Parkinson's disease.
My insomina
I'd like to share the following Information about insomina:
People with parkinson's disease have insomina. Insomina is caused by emotional disorders one of the symptoms of parkinson's disease. there are other reasons too.
I have insomina on and off in my lifetimes.
I have following complaints:
Difficulty falling asleep
Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
Waking up too early in the morning
Feeling tired upon waking
Sleepiness during the day
Irritability and problems with concentration or memory
I use to visit psychiatrist for treatment but the treatment do not help me as I do not have mental disorder.
One of the reason my insomina is caused by my lack of dopamine in my brain; a voluntary disorders nervous system.
I deal with my insomina is to cultivate postive thinking and do exercises hourly daily,joining PatientsLikeme forum, besides medication, diet and nutritions.
I do relaxation exercise to reduce stress , body tension ,relax my muscle and a restful sleep.
As the sametime it eases my depression, anxiety and tension as I am not alone.
People with parkinson's disease have insomina. Insomina is caused by emotional disorders one of the symptoms of parkinson's disease. there are other reasons too.
I have insomina on and off in my lifetimes.
I have following complaints:
Difficulty falling asleep
Waking up often during the night and having trouble going back to sleep
Waking up too early in the morning
Feeling tired upon waking
Sleepiness during the day
Irritability and problems with concentration or memory
I use to visit psychiatrist for treatment but the treatment do not help me as I do not have mental disorder.
One of the reason my insomina is caused by my lack of dopamine in my brain; a voluntary disorders nervous system.
I deal with my insomina is to cultivate postive thinking and do exercises hourly daily,joining PatientsLikeme forum, besides medication, diet and nutritions.
I do relaxation exercise to reduce stress , body tension ,relax my muscle and a restful sleep.
As the sametime it eases my depression, anxiety and tension as I am not alone.
Increase Sinemet
I added my new parkinson's medication Requip/Ropinirole (Dopamine ) after taking six months with Sinemet Regular(Levodopa).
The reason : people with parkinson's medication develop fluctuating response"on" and "off " motor states. (the "on" period means response well with medication; "off" period means the medication losing its effect prior to time for the next dose) and the doctor has to increase with your medication or with others to slowdown the disease from it's progression.
The reason : people with parkinson's medication develop fluctuating response"on" and "off " motor states. (the "on" period means response well with medication; "off" period means the medication losing its effect prior to time for the next dose) and the doctor has to increase with your medication or with others to slowdown the disease from it's progression.
You are not alone
People with parkinson's have emotional depression., physically and mentally.
You would not feel emotional depression and be alone by taking social work, PatientsLikeMe forum, caregiver and exercises in the gym centre.
You have to cultivate your particular skill,attitude or quality. Be positive that you are not alone.
This is my experience sharing with the readers to deal the depression which was caused by medication ,the sideeffect and it's effectiveness wearing off , its progression, and the related diseases either physically or mentally.
You would not feel emotional depression and be alone by taking social work, PatientsLikeMe forum, caregiver and exercises in the gym centre.
You have to cultivate your particular skill,attitude or quality. Be positive that you are not alone.
This is my experience sharing with the readers to deal the depression which was caused by medication ,the sideeffect and it's effectiveness wearing off , its progression, and the related diseases either physically or mentally.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
stages of the loss process
What are the stages of the loss process?A loss experience involves the following five stages of emotional response: denial, bargaining, anger, despair and acceptance.* These five stages can occur in either the sequence presented or in any variety of sequence.* The stages can recur during a loss experience.* One stage can last a long time, uninterrupted.* These five stages can occur in either the sequence presented or in any variety of sequence.* The loss process can last anywhere from 3 months to 3 years.* These stages of grief are normal and are to be expected.* It is healthier to accept these stages and recognize them for what they are rather than to fight them off or to ignore them.* Working out each stage of the loss response ensures a return to emotional health and adaptive functioning.* Getting outside support and help during the grieving process will assist in gaining objectivity and understanding.Stage 1: Denial* We deny that the loss has occurred.* We ignore the signs of the loss. We begin to use:* Magical thinking--believing this loss will go away "magically."* Excessive fantasy believing nothing is wrong; this loss is just imagined; when I wake up everything will be OK.* Regression believing that if we act childlike and want others to reassure us that nothing is wrong.* Withdrawal believing we can avoid facing the loss and avoid those people who confront us with the truth.* Rejection believing we can reject the truth and those who bring us the news of our loss to avoid facing the loss. Stage 2: Bargaining* We bargain or strike a deal with God, ourselves or others to make the loss go away.* We promise to do anything to make this loss go away.* We agree to take extreme measures in order to make this loss disappear.* We lack confidence in our attempts to deal with the loss, looking elsewhere for answers. We begin to:* Shop around believing we look for the "right" agent with the "cure" for our loss.* Gamble believing we can take chances on "cures" for our loss.* Take risks believing we can put ourselves in jeopardy financially, emotionally and physically to get to an answer or "cure" for our loss.* Sacrifice believing in our pursuit of a "cure" to change the loss we can ignore our real needs. Stage 3: Anger * We become angry with God, with ourselves or with others over our loss.* We become outraged and incensed over the steps that must be taken to overcome our loss.* We pick out "scapegoats" on which to vent our anger, e.g., the doctors, hospitals, clerks, helping agencies, rehabilitation specialists, etc. We begin to use:* Self-blaming--believing we should blame ourselves for this loss.* Switching blame--believing we should blame others for this loss.* Blaming the victim--believing we should blame the victim for leaving us.* Aggressive anger--believing we have a right to vent our blame and rage aggressively on the closest target.* Resentment--believing our hurt and pain is justified to turn into resentment toward involved in our loss event including the victim. Anger is a normal stage. It must be expressed and resolved; if it is suppressed and held in, it will can lead to a maladaptive condition of depression that drains our emotional energy.Stage 4: Despair* We become overwhelmed by the anguish, pain and hurt of our loss; we are thrown into the depths of our emotional response.* We can begin to have uncontrollable spells of crying, sobbing and weeping.* We can begin to go into spells of deep silence, morose thinking and deep melancholy. We can begin to experience:* Guilt believing we are responsible for our loss.* Remorse believing we should feel sorry for our real or perceived "bad past," deeds for which this loss is some form of retribution or punishment.* Loss of hope believing that because the news of our loss becomes so overwhelming that we have no hope of being able to return to the calm and order our life held prior to the loss.* Loss of faith and trust believing that because of this loss we can no longer trust our belief in the goodness and mercy of God and mankind. We need support to assist us in gaining the objectivity to reframe and regroup our lives. If we are not able to work through our despair, we risk experiencing events such as mental illness, divorce/separation, suicide, inability to cope with the aftermath of our loss, rejection of the family member who has experienced the loss, and detachment, poor bonding or unhealthy interaction with the parties involved in our loss.Stage 5: Acceptance* We begin to reach a level of awareness and understanding of the nature of our loss. We can now:* Describe the terms and conditions involved in our loss.* Fully describe the risks and limitations involved in the treatment or rehabilitation for the loss involved.* Cope with our loss.* Test the concepts and alternatives available to us in dealing with this loss.* Handle the information surrounding this loss in a more appropriate way. We begin to use:* Rational thinking believing we are able to refute our irrational beliefs or fantasy thinking in order to address our loss from a rational perspective.* Adaptive behavior believing we can begin to adjust our lives to incorporate the changes necessary after our loss.* Appropriate emotion believing we begin to express our emotional responses freely and are better able to verbalize the pain, hurt and suffering we have experienced.* Patience and self-understanding believing we can recognize that it takes time to adjust to the loss and give ourselves time to "deal" with it. We set a realistic time frame in which to learn to cope with our changed lives.* Self-confidence believing, as we begin to sort things out and recognize the stages of loss as natural and expected, that we gain the confidence needed for personal growth. We can be growing in acceptance and still experience denial, bargaining, anger and despair.To come to full acceptance we need support to gain objectivity and clarity of thinking. It is often useful to gain such assistance from those who have experienced a similar loss. For example, groups of parents who have experienced the death of a child or who have had a child with a developmental disability.Peer support from strangers is often the best way for a person to deal with the grieving process.Post a comment
Last Updated: January 27, 2009
James J Messina, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with more than 35 years of experience counseling individuals and families. Messina, who specializes in adult and children psychotherapy, serves as Director of Psychological Services at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla. He has a private practice in Tampa and is also a member of the American Psychological Association.
Last Updated: January 27, 2009
James J Messina, PhD, is a licensed psychologist with more than 35 years of experience counseling individuals and families. Messina, who specializes in adult and children psychotherapy, serves as Director of Psychological Services at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Fla. He has a private practice in Tampa and is also a member of the American Psychological Association.
The risk factors of getting Parkinson's?
Some things can increase your chances of getting Parkinson's disease. Doctors call them risk factors.
If you have one of the following risk factors, bear in mind that this doesn't mean you will definitely get the disease. It just means your chances of getting it are somewhat higher than someone who doesn't have the risk factors.
Getting older: The average age for symptoms to start is about 65.[2] You can get Parkinson's while you're still in your 30s, but this is rare.
Being male: Slightly more men than women get Parkinson's.[2] But we don't know why.
Not smoking: If you smoke, you're slightly less likely to get Parkinson's than if you don't. Again, we don't know why this is.[2] But no doctor would recommend you start smoking to reduce your chances of getting Parkinson's.
Having Parkinson's in your family: If your father, mother or one of your brothers or sisters has Parkinson's, you're slightly more likely to get it than someone who doesn't have the disease in his or her family.[1] [3] [4] Some types of Parkinson's, especially those that appear before the age of 40, may be passed down in your family through genes.[5] But this isn't common. Only about 1 in 20 people with Parkinson's have this type of the disease. Parkinson's more often happens in families where no one has had it before.
Doctors have looked at many other things to see whether they might be linked to Parkinson's disease. For example, some research suggests you may be more likely to get Parkinson's if:[2]
You work with pesticides or other chemicals
You've had a head injury.
But more research is needed to know for certain whether these things increase your risk of Parkinson's.
References
Ben-Shlomo Y. How far are we in understanding the cause of Parkinson's disease? Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 1996; 61: 4-16.
de Rijk MC, Tzourio C, Breteler MM, et al. Prevalence of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in Europe: the EUROPARKINSON Collaborative Study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 1997; 62: 10-15.
Marder K, Tang MX, Mejia H, et al. Risk of Parkinson's disease among first-degree relatives: a community-based study. Neurology. 1996; 47: 155-160.
Jarman P, Wood N. Parkinson's disease genetics comes of age. BMJ. 1999; 318: 1641-1642.
Lazzarini AM, Myers RH, Zimmerman TR Jr, et al. A clinical genetic study of Parkinson's disease: evidence for dominant transmission. Neurology. 1994; 44: 499-506.
Glossary
genes
Your genes are the parts of your cells that contain instructions for how your body works. Genes are found on chromosomes, structures that sit in the nucleus at the middle of each of your cells. You have 23 pairs of chromosomes in your normal cells, each of which has thousands of genes. You get one set of chromosomes, and all of the genes that are on them, from each of your parents.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/parkinsons-disease-prognosis
If you have one of the following risk factors, bear in mind that this doesn't mean you will definitely get the disease. It just means your chances of getting it are somewhat higher than someone who doesn't have the risk factors.
Getting older: The average age for symptoms to start is about 65.[2] You can get Parkinson's while you're still in your 30s, but this is rare.
Being male: Slightly more men than women get Parkinson's.[2] But we don't know why.
Not smoking: If you smoke, you're slightly less likely to get Parkinson's than if you don't. Again, we don't know why this is.[2] But no doctor would recommend you start smoking to reduce your chances of getting Parkinson's.
Having Parkinson's in your family: If your father, mother or one of your brothers or sisters has Parkinson's, you're slightly more likely to get it than someone who doesn't have the disease in his or her family.[1] [3] [4] Some types of Parkinson's, especially those that appear before the age of 40, may be passed down in your family through genes.[5] But this isn't common. Only about 1 in 20 people with Parkinson's have this type of the disease. Parkinson's more often happens in families where no one has had it before.
Doctors have looked at many other things to see whether they might be linked to Parkinson's disease. For example, some research suggests you may be more likely to get Parkinson's if:[2]
You work with pesticides or other chemicals
You've had a head injury.
But more research is needed to know for certain whether these things increase your risk of Parkinson's.
References
Ben-Shlomo Y. How far are we in understanding the cause of Parkinson's disease? Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 1996; 61: 4-16.
de Rijk MC, Tzourio C, Breteler MM, et al. Prevalence of Parkinsonism and Parkinson's disease in Europe: the EUROPARKINSON Collaborative Study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 1997; 62: 10-15.
Marder K, Tang MX, Mejia H, et al. Risk of Parkinson's disease among first-degree relatives: a community-based study. Neurology. 1996; 47: 155-160.
Jarman P, Wood N. Parkinson's disease genetics comes of age. BMJ. 1999; 318: 1641-1642.
Lazzarini AM, Myers RH, Zimmerman TR Jr, et al. A clinical genetic study of Parkinson's disease: evidence for dominant transmission. Neurology. 1994; 44: 499-506.
Glossary
genes
Your genes are the parts of your cells that contain instructions for how your body works. Genes are found on chromosomes, structures that sit in the nucleus at the middle of each of your cells. You have 23 pairs of chromosomes in your normal cells, each of which has thousands of genes. You get one set of chromosomes, and all of the genes that are on them, from each of your parents.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/parkinsons-disease-prognosis
Progression of Parkinson's?
Parkinson's disease affects how you move.
An early sign is a slight trembling in one hand. Over time, you start doing things more and more slowly as your muscles become stiff. You may lose your balance more easily
Some people with Parkinson's live for years with mild symptoms that can be annoying but don't need treatment.
But if your symptoms get worse, there are treatments that can help.
Key points for people with Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease usually starts in people who are over 60.
The main symptoms are shaking, stiff muscles, slow movements and poor balance. But you may not get all of these.
It can be hard for doctors to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Other conditions have similar symptoms.
Keeping track of your symptoms is important. If you can describe your symptoms clearly, this will help your doctor find the right treatment for you.
How your brain helps you move
To understand what happens when you have Parkinson's disease and how it can be treated, it's useful to know something about how your brain works.
Cells deep inside your brain control how and when you move.[1]
These brain cells make dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a type of chemical that helps messages travel between nerve cells, including your brain cells.
Brain cells need dopamine to send messages to other parts of your brain, and to nerves and muscles throughout your body.
Messages deep inside your brain help you move smoothly and do the right thing at the right time. For example, they stop you tripping at the kerb as you step into a road. And they help you move your fingers to tie your shoelaces.
What happens in Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease happens when the brain cells that make dopamine die or don't work properly. Doctors don't know why this happens.[2] With less dopamine, brain cells in some parts of your brain don't send messages properly. This means you can't control your movements in the usual way. The amount of dopamine in your brain has to drop by 80 percent for the signs of Parkinson's disease to show.
Why me?
Doctors don't know why some people get Parkinson's disease and others don't. But there are some things that increase your chances of getting it. Doctors call these risk factors.
If you have a risk factor, this simply means you have a higher chance of getting the disease than someone without the risk factor. It doesn't mean that you will definitely get it.
The main risk factor for Parkinson's disease is getting older.[3]
To learn more, see Risk factors for Parkinson's disease.
References
Pearce JM. Parkinson's disease and its management. Oxford Medical, London, UK; 1992.
Goldsmith C. Parkinson's disease. American Journal of Nursing. 1999; 99: 46-47.
Ben-Shlomo Y. How far are we in understanding the cause of Parkinson's disease? Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 1996; 61: 4-16.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009
An early sign is a slight trembling in one hand. Over time, you start doing things more and more slowly as your muscles become stiff. You may lose your balance more easily
Some people with Parkinson's live for years with mild symptoms that can be annoying but don't need treatment.
But if your symptoms get worse, there are treatments that can help.
Key points for people with Parkinson's disease
Parkinson's disease usually starts in people who are over 60.
The main symptoms are shaking, stiff muscles, slow movements and poor balance. But you may not get all of these.
It can be hard for doctors to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Other conditions have similar symptoms.
Keeping track of your symptoms is important. If you can describe your symptoms clearly, this will help your doctor find the right treatment for you.
How your brain helps you move
To understand what happens when you have Parkinson's disease and how it can be treated, it's useful to know something about how your brain works.
Cells deep inside your brain control how and when you move.[1]
These brain cells make dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, a type of chemical that helps messages travel between nerve cells, including your brain cells.
Brain cells need dopamine to send messages to other parts of your brain, and to nerves and muscles throughout your body.
Messages deep inside your brain help you move smoothly and do the right thing at the right time. For example, they stop you tripping at the kerb as you step into a road. And they help you move your fingers to tie your shoelaces.
What happens in Parkinson's disease?
Parkinson's disease happens when the brain cells that make dopamine die or don't work properly. Doctors don't know why this happens.[2] With less dopamine, brain cells in some parts of your brain don't send messages properly. This means you can't control your movements in the usual way. The amount of dopamine in your brain has to drop by 80 percent for the signs of Parkinson's disease to show.
Why me?
Doctors don't know why some people get Parkinson's disease and others don't. But there are some things that increase your chances of getting it. Doctors call these risk factors.
If you have a risk factor, this simply means you have a higher chance of getting the disease than someone without the risk factor. It doesn't mean that you will definitely get it.
The main risk factor for Parkinson's disease is getting older.[3]
To learn more, see Risk factors for Parkinson's disease.
References
Pearce JM. Parkinson's disease and its management. Oxford Medical, London, UK; 1992.
Goldsmith C. Parkinson's disease. American Journal of Nursing. 1999; 99: 46-47.
Ben-Shlomo Y. How far are we in understanding the cause of Parkinson's disease? Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. 1996; 61: 4-16.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009
What are the symptoms of Parkinson's?'
Parkinson's disease can affect you in four main ways: shaking, having stiff muscles, having slow movements and having poor balance. The symptoms are usually mild at first and you may not need any treatment for a while.
Symptoms tend to progress slowly and in no particular order.[1] [2] Parkinson's disease affects everyone differently, and you probably won't get all of these symptoms.
Shaking (doctors call this tremor or resting tremor)
One of your hands may shake, especially when you're relaxing. But the shaking stops when you're asleep or moving.
The shaking is worse when your hand is resting or you're stressed.
Shaking usually affects one side of your body, especially early on in the disease.
Many people rub their thumb and index finger together as if rolling a pill.
As the shaking gets worse, you may not be able to hold a cup or newspaper steady.
Shaking can also affect your neck, chin and head.
Shaking is an important symptom for many people. But about a quarter of people never get it.
Stiff muscles (doctors call this rigidity)
Some of your muscles may be tense because they're not getting the right messages from your brain.
This makes you stiff, and you may find it difficult to move. For example, you may find it difficult to get out of a chair.
Your face may seem less expressive because the muscles there aren't moving as well as they normally would.
Your muscles may resist or jerk if someone tries to move part of your body (your arm, for example). Doctors call this cogwheel rigidity.
Slow movements (doctors call this bradykinesia or akinesia)
You may find it hard to start moving because instructions from your brain take longer to get to your nerves and muscles.
You may stay in the same position for longer than usual without moving.
You may have problems moving smoothly. This can be frustrating and unpredictable. You can be moving easily one minute and then suddenly need help.
Tasks you once did quickly and easily, such as washing and dressing, may take much longer.
Your handwriting may look spidery and small.
Poor balance (doctors call this postural instability)
You may lean forwards or backwards and fall over easily.
You may have problems walking.
You may freeze in midstride and not be able to take the next step. Doctors call this freezing of gait or FOG for short.
You may take quick, small, shuffling steps. Doctors call this festination.
You may stop naturally swinging your arms as you walk.
Your symptoms might not be obvious during the early stage of the disease. Your friends or relatives may be the first to notice changes. For example, they may see that your face doesn't light up when you laugh.
As the disease progresses, your symptoms may start to get in the way of what you want to do. For example, you might find it hard to hold a cup steadily.
You may also get other problems, such as depression and trouble swallowing and chewing. See Other problems linked with Parkinson's disease to learn more. Some of these problems may appear early in the disease and some later.
It's important to keep track of your symptoms so that you can tell your doctor how they have changed since your last visit. In fact, you might want to keep a diary of your symptoms to show your doctor.
This information will help a specialist decide when you should start taking medication and when you need to change your treatment. You may see your doctor for many years before they think you should take treatment for Parkinson's disease.
References
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Parkinson's disease: hope through research. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease (accessed on 18 September 2007).
Parkinson's Disease Society. About Parkinson's. What is Parkinson's? Available at http://www.parkinsons.org.uk (accessed on 18 September 2007).
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009
Symptoms tend to progress slowly and in no particular order.[1] [2] Parkinson's disease affects everyone differently, and you probably won't get all of these symptoms.
Shaking (doctors call this tremor or resting tremor)
One of your hands may shake, especially when you're relaxing. But the shaking stops when you're asleep or moving.
The shaking is worse when your hand is resting or you're stressed.
Shaking usually affects one side of your body, especially early on in the disease.
Many people rub their thumb and index finger together as if rolling a pill.
As the shaking gets worse, you may not be able to hold a cup or newspaper steady.
Shaking can also affect your neck, chin and head.
Shaking is an important symptom for many people. But about a quarter of people never get it.
Stiff muscles (doctors call this rigidity)
Some of your muscles may be tense because they're not getting the right messages from your brain.
This makes you stiff, and you may find it difficult to move. For example, you may find it difficult to get out of a chair.
Your face may seem less expressive because the muscles there aren't moving as well as they normally would.
Your muscles may resist or jerk if someone tries to move part of your body (your arm, for example). Doctors call this cogwheel rigidity.
Slow movements (doctors call this bradykinesia or akinesia)
You may find it hard to start moving because instructions from your brain take longer to get to your nerves and muscles.
You may stay in the same position for longer than usual without moving.
You may have problems moving smoothly. This can be frustrating and unpredictable. You can be moving easily one minute and then suddenly need help.
Tasks you once did quickly and easily, such as washing and dressing, may take much longer.
Your handwriting may look spidery and small.
Poor balance (doctors call this postural instability)
You may lean forwards or backwards and fall over easily.
You may have problems walking.
You may freeze in midstride and not be able to take the next step. Doctors call this freezing of gait or FOG for short.
You may take quick, small, shuffling steps. Doctors call this festination.
You may stop naturally swinging your arms as you walk.
Your symptoms might not be obvious during the early stage of the disease. Your friends or relatives may be the first to notice changes. For example, they may see that your face doesn't light up when you laugh.
As the disease progresses, your symptoms may start to get in the way of what you want to do. For example, you might find it hard to hold a cup steadily.
You may also get other problems, such as depression and trouble swallowing and chewing. See Other problems linked with Parkinson's disease to learn more. Some of these problems may appear early in the disease and some later.
It's important to keep track of your symptoms so that you can tell your doctor how they have changed since your last visit. In fact, you might want to keep a diary of your symptoms to show your doctor.
This information will help a specialist decide when you should start taking medication and when you need to change your treatment. You may see your doctor for many years before they think you should take treatment for Parkinson's disease.
References
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Parkinson's disease: hope through research. Available at http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/parkinsons_disease (accessed on 18 September 2007).
Parkinson's Disease Society. About Parkinson's. What is Parkinson's? Available at http://www.parkinsons.org.uk (accessed on 18 September 2007).
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009
How common is Parkinson's?
Parkinson's disease is quite common. In the UK about 1 in 500 people have it.[1]
Around 120,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's.[1]
Every year, about 10,000 people in the UK are told they have the disease.[1]
Your chances of getting Parkinson's increase as you get older. Since people are now living longer than ever today, more people are getting the disease.
Many people with Parkinson's disease, especially those who are very old, are never diagnosed with the disease. This may be because people confuse the symptoms of Parkinson's with the normal signs of ageing.[1] So they don't go to the doctor to have these symptoms checked.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/parkinsons-disease-prognosis
Around 120,000 people in the UK have Parkinson's.[1]
Every year, about 10,000 people in the UK are told they have the disease.[1]
Your chances of getting Parkinson's increase as you get older. Since people are now living longer than ever today, more people are getting the disease.
Many people with Parkinson's disease, especially those who are very old, are never diagnosed with the disease. This may be because people confuse the symptoms of Parkinson's with the normal signs of ageing.[1] So they don't go to the doctor to have these symptoms checked.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/parkinsons-disease-prognosis
List of question to be asked?
Being diagnosed with a serious illness like Parkinson's often comes as a shock. You may find it hard to think of everything you want to ask your doctor.
It might help to make a list of questions before your appointment. You could also take notes during your visit, or bring a close friend or relative with you to ask questions and jot down information.
Here are some questions you may want to ask.
Have I definitely got Parkinson's disease? Or could my symptoms be caused by something else?
I'd like to see a specialist. Can you recommend a doctor who specialises in Parkinson's disease?
Will my symptoms get worse?
What drugs can I take to ease my symptoms?
What drug can I take to delay starting levodopa?
Do the drugs have side effects?
What can I do to reduce the side effects of the drugs?
Could surgery help me?
What are the risks of surgery?
Could physiotherapy help me?
Could occupational therapy help me?
Could speech therapy help me?
Does Parkinson's run in my family? Will other people in my family get Parkinson's disease?
If you are caring for someone with Parkinson's disease, you may want to ask these questions on that person's behalf. You should also ask what kind of help and support you can expect from health care professionals. You shouldn't have to cope alone.
Glossary
physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a way of using movements or exercises to help people's bodies heal.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/parkinsons-disease-prognosis
It might help to make a list of questions before your appointment. You could also take notes during your visit, or bring a close friend or relative with you to ask questions and jot down information.
Here are some questions you may want to ask.
Have I definitely got Parkinson's disease? Or could my symptoms be caused by something else?
I'd like to see a specialist. Can you recommend a doctor who specialises in Parkinson's disease?
Will my symptoms get worse?
What drugs can I take to ease my symptoms?
What drug can I take to delay starting levodopa?
Do the drugs have side effects?
What can I do to reduce the side effects of the drugs?
Could surgery help me?
What are the risks of surgery?
Could physiotherapy help me?
Could occupational therapy help me?
Could speech therapy help me?
Does Parkinson's run in my family? Will other people in my family get Parkinson's disease?
If you are caring for someone with Parkinson's disease, you may want to ask these questions on that person's behalf. You should also ask what kind of help and support you can expect from health care professionals. You shouldn't have to cope alone.
Glossary
physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is a way of using movements or exercises to help people's bodies heal.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited ("BMJ Group") 2009
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/parkinsons-disease-prognosis
What is Parkinson's?
No one can say for certain what will happen to you if you have Parkinson's disease. Everyone is different, and the way the disease affects you may be different from the way it affects someone else.
Some people hardly notice their symptoms in the early stages of Parkinson's and lead a full life for many years
But symptoms usually get worse as time goes on and your brain makes less and less of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
What is Parkinson's disease?
There's no cure for Parkinson's disease. But there are treatments that work well. Some work so well that you may forget about your symptoms for a while.
What treatments work for Parkinson's disease?
But the disease will eventually progress, and the drugs might not work as well when this happens.[1]
You may also get other problems because of Parkinson's disease. For example, you might feel depressed, find it hard to get to sleep or have problems chewing and swallowing.
Other problems linked with Parkinson's disease.
These problems can be treated with drugs or sometimes with special kinds of therapy. For example, if the muscles in your face are stiff and make speaking difficult, speech and language therapy can help you adapt the way you talk.
Many people want to know how they will be in two or three years' time. But the truth is that no one can say for certain. Science and medicine change all the time as we find out new things about how the brain works. In the next few years, new drugs or surgery may become available that we know very little about today.
The important thing is to keep positive. There's also a lot you can do to stay healthy.[2]
Exercise: Regular exercise can improve your balance and coordination.[4] It can also stop you from feeling depressed and help with constipation.
Attend support groups: You can get advice and emotional support by meeting other people with Parkinson's and their care givers.
Stay active: It seems to help people with Parkinson's to keep doing the things they enjoy.
If you're caring for someone with Parkinson's disease, you may need support too.[3] If you feel you can't cope or you get depressed, see your GP. They may be able to put you in touch with local support groups and organisations that offer help in the home
neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help to carry messages between nerve cells. Serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline are all neurotransmitters.
dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which is chemical that helps messages pass between brain cells and other cells. Dopamine plays a role in your mood, and your physical movements.
Some people hardly notice their symptoms in the early stages of Parkinson's and lead a full life for many years
But symptoms usually get worse as time goes on and your brain makes less and less of the neurotransmitter dopamine.
What is Parkinson's disease?
There's no cure for Parkinson's disease. But there are treatments that work well. Some work so well that you may forget about your symptoms for a while.
What treatments work for Parkinson's disease?
But the disease will eventually progress, and the drugs might not work as well when this happens.[1]
You may also get other problems because of Parkinson's disease. For example, you might feel depressed, find it hard to get to sleep or have problems chewing and swallowing.
Other problems linked with Parkinson's disease.
These problems can be treated with drugs or sometimes with special kinds of therapy. For example, if the muscles in your face are stiff and make speaking difficult, speech and language therapy can help you adapt the way you talk.
Many people want to know how they will be in two or three years' time. But the truth is that no one can say for certain. Science and medicine change all the time as we find out new things about how the brain works. In the next few years, new drugs or surgery may become available that we know very little about today.
The important thing is to keep positive. There's also a lot you can do to stay healthy.[2]
Exercise: Regular exercise can improve your balance and coordination.[4] It can also stop you from feeling depressed and help with constipation.
Attend support groups: You can get advice and emotional support by meeting other people with Parkinson's and their care givers.
Stay active: It seems to help people with Parkinson's to keep doing the things they enjoy.
If you're caring for someone with Parkinson's disease, you may need support too.[3] If you feel you can't cope or you get depressed, see your GP. They may be able to put you in touch with local support groups and organisations that offer help in the home
neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that help to carry messages between nerve cells. Serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline are all neurotransmitters.
dopamine
Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, which is chemical that helps messages pass between brain cells and other cells. Dopamine plays a role in your mood, and your physical movements.
Problems with Parkinson's
Depression
Many people with Parkinson's get depressed.[1] You may get depressed early on in the disease, before you notice other symptoms.You may not be severely depressed. But side effects of the drugs used to treat Parkinson's can make depression worse.Explain how you're feeling to your doctor. Antidepressants can help you feel better.
antidepressant
Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression and sometimes other conditions. They work by changing the levels of chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. There are three main types of antidepressants, which work in different ways: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
Emotional changesWhen you find out you have Parkinson's disease, you may feel anxious or frightened.[1] You may also lose your motivation and become more dependent on your family.[2]Joining a support group may help you cope emotionally. You can get advice and support from other people with Parkinson's disease and their carers.
Difficulty in swallowing and chewing
The muscles you use for swallowing may not work as well later on in the disease.[1] If this happens, food and saliva can collect in the back of your throat. This can cause choking or drooling. You may find swallowing therapy helpful.
Speech changesAbout half of the people with Parkinson's disease have problems with their speech.[1] They may talk too softly, speak without much variation in their voice or slur their words.If your speech has changed, speech and language therapy might help you speak more clearly.
Constipation
Most people with Parkinson's disease have problems with constipation.[1] This is because the movement of their muscles slows down.Don't let your constipation last for several days. Ask your doctor for hel
constipated
When you're constipated, you have difficulty passing stools (faeces). Your bowel movements may be dry and hard. You may have fewer bowel movements than usual, and it may be a strain when you try to go.
__________________
Skin problemsYour skin can become greasy or too dry.[1] You might also sweat a lot. Creams and other treatments for skin problems may help.
Sleep problemsYou may have difficulty sleeping at night and then feel drowsy during the day.[3] [4] It's unclear if sleep problems are caused by the disease or the drugs you take. There are treatments for sleep problems that you can buy at a pharmacy, but it's best to talk to your doctor before taking them.
DementiaAbout 1 in 5 people with Parkinson's disease get forgetful and confused. Their personality and behaviour can also be affected. This is called dementia.[5]There is a chance, especially if you're older, that you can have both Parkinson's disease and dementia. This combination makes treatment difficult.If you're caring for someone with both conditions, make sure you have support so you aren't shouldering the care all by yourself.
[6]Problems drivingYou should tell the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority) and your insurance company if you have Parkinson's disease. Your insurance may be invalid if you don't.[7]
__http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/parkinsons-disease-prognosis________________________________________________
Many people with Parkinson's get depressed.[1] You may get depressed early on in the disease, before you notice other symptoms.You may not be severely depressed. But side effects of the drugs used to treat Parkinson's can make depression worse.Explain how you're feeling to your doctor. Antidepressants can help you feel better.
antidepressant
Antidepressants are medicines used to treat depression and sometimes other conditions. They work by changing the levels of chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. There are three main types of antidepressants, which work in different ways: selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) and tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs).
Emotional changesWhen you find out you have Parkinson's disease, you may feel anxious or frightened.[1] You may also lose your motivation and become more dependent on your family.[2]Joining a support group may help you cope emotionally. You can get advice and support from other people with Parkinson's disease and their carers.
Difficulty in swallowing and chewing
The muscles you use for swallowing may not work as well later on in the disease.[1] If this happens, food and saliva can collect in the back of your throat. This can cause choking or drooling. You may find swallowing therapy helpful.
Speech changesAbout half of the people with Parkinson's disease have problems with their speech.[1] They may talk too softly, speak without much variation in their voice or slur their words.If your speech has changed, speech and language therapy might help you speak more clearly.
Constipation
Most people with Parkinson's disease have problems with constipation.[1] This is because the movement of their muscles slows down.Don't let your constipation last for several days. Ask your doctor for hel
constipated
When you're constipated, you have difficulty passing stools (faeces). Your bowel movements may be dry and hard. You may have fewer bowel movements than usual, and it may be a strain when you try to go.
__________________
Skin problemsYour skin can become greasy or too dry.[1] You might also sweat a lot. Creams and other treatments for skin problems may help.
Sleep problemsYou may have difficulty sleeping at night and then feel drowsy during the day.[3] [4] It's unclear if sleep problems are caused by the disease or the drugs you take. There are treatments for sleep problems that you can buy at a pharmacy, but it's best to talk to your doctor before taking them.
DementiaAbout 1 in 5 people with Parkinson's disease get forgetful and confused. Their personality and behaviour can also be affected. This is called dementia.[5]There is a chance, especially if you're older, that you can have both Parkinson's disease and dementia. This combination makes treatment difficult.If you're caring for someone with both conditions, make sure you have support so you aren't shouldering the care all by yourself.
[6]Problems drivingYou should tell the DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority) and your insurance company if you have Parkinson's disease. Your insurance may be invalid if you don't.[7]
__http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/besttreatments/parkinsons-disease-prognosis________________________________________________
Hamstring and joint pains
Muscle and joint pain are common with parkinson's
This is how I battle with the muscle and joint pain on my right leg:-
I have hamstring( tendon behind my knee) pain and is difficulty for me to stand with one leg. I am fortunate I have no problem with the other leg (left).
I find difficulty to do Tree Posture(Yoga) to use one leg to support the other.
I discovered I have the problems in the year of 1990 though I have treatment.
It is the first symptoms of my Parkinson's.
In order to battle the joint pain I place my left or right leg against the wall to do stretching and stretching my leg up and down,front and back 20 times each daily.
After the stretching I place cold/hot pak on the joint pain to relief besides medication and supplements.
This is how I battle with the muscle and joint pain on my right leg:-
I have hamstring( tendon behind my knee) pain and is difficulty for me to stand with one leg. I am fortunate I have no problem with the other leg (left).
I find difficulty to do Tree Posture(Yoga) to use one leg to support the other.
I discovered I have the problems in the year of 1990 though I have treatment.
It is the first symptoms of my Parkinson's.
In order to battle the joint pain I place my left or right leg against the wall to do stretching and stretching my leg up and down,front and back 20 times each daily.
After the stretching I place cold/hot pak on the joint pain to relief besides medication and supplements.
Monday, January 26, 2009
dry mouth
Dry mouth is one of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
It affects your teeth open to rapid decay.
No medicine help you to stop dry mouth as it has sideeffects.
You can apply Oralbalance dry mouth moisturizing gel.
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp15434_333181_sespider/biotene/oral_balance_dry_mouth_r...
It affects your teeth open to rapid decay.
No medicine help you to stop dry mouth as it has sideeffects.
You can apply Oralbalance dry mouth moisturizing gel.
http://www.drugstore.com/qxp15434_333181_sespider/biotene/oral_balance_dry_mouth_r...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
My Medication
I started with Q 10 when I diagnosed as Parkinson's last five years old.
It is not the parkinson's medication but a supplements as some doctors prescribe for an early parkinson's patient.
I take Sinemet regular on the third years when my movement is slow. I increase Requip medication and improve my movement after six months. Besides I take vitamin and supplements daily as I do blood test on my vitamin and mineral level twice in a year.
Diet, nutrition and exercises are important too .
I wish to thank PatientsLikeMe Forum that I learn and share with the readers on how to battle the diseases.
All are in one to slow down the parkinson's. Discipline, perservation, consistance on yourself are the power to battle the parkinson's as It is a chronic disease and expensive for treatment.
People with parkinson's medication has its effectiveness wearing off (the "on "period gradually shorten with time) and the doctor has to increase/added with your medication or with others to slowdown the disease
It is not the parkinson's medication but a supplements as some doctors prescribe for an early parkinson's patient.
I take Sinemet regular on the third years when my movement is slow. I increase Requip medication and improve my movement after six months. Besides I take vitamin and supplements daily as I do blood test on my vitamin and mineral level twice in a year.
Diet, nutrition and exercises are important too .
I wish to thank PatientsLikeMe Forum that I learn and share with the readers on how to battle the diseases.
All are in one to slow down the parkinson's. Discipline, perservation, consistance on yourself are the power to battle the parkinson's as It is a chronic disease and expensive for treatment.
People with parkinson's medication has its effectiveness wearing off (the "on "period gradually shorten with time) and the doctor has to increase/added with your medication or with others to slowdown the disease
CHEWING GUM
Chew with a piece of chewing gum or hard candy in the mouth encourages swallowing. (Use sugarless candy or gum so as not to promote tooth decay) few times daily help you to stop your saliva and dry mouth.
It keeps your oral health few times daily help you to stop your saliva and dry mouth.
It is cheaper and no sideeffect with medication.
It keeps your oral health too.
It keeps your oral health few times daily help you to stop your saliva and dry mouth.
It is cheaper and no sideeffect with medication.
It keeps your oral health too.
Imbalance and coordination
Physcial imbalance and corrdination are one of the symptoms of Parkinson's as we lack our neurological voluntary movements., disorder of our nervous system.
Balance problems (also known as postural imbalance)A symptom that manifests itself in the inability of a patient to balance or remain steady.
Therefore we have complaints on our leg stiffness, rigidity, tremor, slow movement,stoop postures or joint pain that we are unable to balance and coordination.
Research has shown that regular exercise benefits people with Parkinson's disease. Exercise reduces stiffness and improves mobility, posture, balance and gait. Exercise may also reduce depression.
Tai Chi ,pilate is one of the exercise to keep you phsyical balance and coordination besides Parkinson’s medications, diet, nutrition, supplements.
Pilate, Tai Chi help you balance by using your core muscle to move whilst do deep breathing. It relax your anxiety, depression, stress., besides it strengthen your stamina and flexibility.
All are in one to slowdown the disease
Balance problems (also known as postural imbalance)A symptom that manifests itself in the inability of a patient to balance or remain steady.
Therefore we have complaints on our leg stiffness, rigidity, tremor, slow movement,stoop postures or joint pain that we are unable to balance and coordination.
Research has shown that regular exercise benefits people with Parkinson's disease. Exercise reduces stiffness and improves mobility, posture, balance and gait. Exercise may also reduce depression.
Tai Chi ,pilate is one of the exercise to keep you phsyical balance and coordination besides Parkinson’s medications, diet, nutrition, supplements.
Pilate, Tai Chi help you balance by using your core muscle to move whilst do deep breathing. It relax your anxiety, depression, stress., besides it strengthen your stamina and flexibility.
All are in one to slowdown the disease
Multivitamins and supplements
As parkinson's is a complicated diseases and the treatment are different from one to the other depending on the stages of the progressive disease. Therefore we have different dosages of medication and the sideeffect are different as well as aftereffect when they come after taking for some times. There are exercises for Parkinson's to slowdown the progression but so far there are yet ideal exercises for parkinson's?
Besides exercises, medication, diet vitamins and supplements for parkinson's sufferers are important to buildup strong body to activative your daily activities.
Blood test on your antioxidant level is essential to top up your vitamins level and supplements. Parkinson's is a chronic disease and an expensive treatment.
B vitamins play a role in the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are important in regulating mood and other brain functions. Folic acid deficiency has been noted among people with depression. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is the cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin, so vitamin B6 deficiency might result in depression. And there is some evidence that people with depression respond better to treatment if they have higher levels of vitamin B12
Besides exercises, medication, diet vitamins and supplements for parkinson's sufferers are important to buildup strong body to activative your daily activities.
Blood test on your antioxidant level is essential to top up your vitamins level and supplements. Parkinson's is a chronic disease and an expensive treatment.
B vitamins play a role in the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are important in regulating mood and other brain functions. Folic acid deficiency has been noted among people with depression. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is the cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin, so vitamin B6 deficiency might result in depression. And there is some evidence that people with depression respond better to treatment if they have higher levels of vitamin B12
Tai Chi
Tai chi is also good for stretching your stiffness muscle.
It is interesting you learn a lot of postures to relief you suffering your joint pains.
It uses deep breathing to activate your movement. It is slow but interesting to learn.
It is interesting you learn a lot of postures to relief you suffering your joint pains.
It uses deep breathing to activate your movement. It is slow but interesting to learn.
Box and Kick exercise
It is a good exercise for Parkinson Patient.I am taking this Box and Kick Exercises (Thai Boxing) for two and half years in my fitness centre besides body combat. I engage a trainer to guide me two times a week and each training last for a hour. It is advisable to engage a trainer as PD patients would find difficulty to do box and kick exercises as it involves your body balance and mobility. You need endurance and flexibility.After spending three hours in gym fitness centre daily except sunday. I attend class exercises, yoga, body combat, pump and spinning I do not look like Parkinson patient as I am now normal as told by my doctor and friends in the fitness centreI am a PD fighter and hero. I battle with Parkinson for two and half years. The credits are my consistencies, preservation,endurance and discipline towards exercises and medications. I wish to thank Dr.Chew Nee Kong, my neurologlist for his excellent medication.
Yoga
Yoga is the best deep breathing exercise for Parkinson's.
The usage of deep breathing exercise is to stretching your stiffness muscles to mobility.
It is slow and enjoyable. It requires consistenace, persistence and discipline to continue. It has a lot of posture to help you to relief your movement disorders.
Mediation yoga relief your stress and is helpful for physical relaxation
The usage of deep breathing exercise is to stretching your stiffness muscles to mobility.
It is slow and enjoyable. It requires consistenace, persistence and discipline to continue. It has a lot of posture to help you to relief your movement disorders.
Mediation yoga relief your stress and is helpful for physical relaxation
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Parkinson's
As parkinson's is a complicated diseases and the treatment are different from one to the other depending on the stages of the progressive disease. Therefore we have different dosages of medication and the sideeffect are different as well as aftereffect when they come after taking for some times. There are exercises for Parkinson's to slowdown the progression but so far there are yet ideal exercises for parkinson's?
Besides exercises, medication, diet vitamins and supplements for parkinson's sufferers are important to buildup strong body to activative your daily activities.
Blood test on your antioxidant level is essential to top up your vitamins level and supplements. Parkinson's is a chronic disease and an expensive treatment.
Besides exercises, medication, diet vitamins and supplements for parkinson's sufferers are important to buildup strong body to activative your daily activities.
Blood test on your antioxidant level is essential to top up your vitamins level and supplements. Parkinson's is a chronic disease and an expensive treatment.
Mental and physical stress
Stress is caused by panic: fear or anxiety as you have tried attempts(way and means) and failed to slowdown the parkinson's disease instead there are an increased symptoms.
As parkinson's is a complicate disease people with parkinson's have mental and physical stress.
Mental disorders including insomina, constipation, vivid dreaming, blurred vision,slurred speech, saliva, difficulty swallowing.
Physical disorders are shaking, stiff muscles, slow movements and poor balance. The symptoms are usually mild at first and you may not need any treatment for a while.Symptoms tend to progress slowly and in no particular order. Parkinson's disease affects everyone differently, and you probably won't get all of these symptoms.
Parkinson's is not a process of age aging therefore there are treatment i.e medication, diet, nutrition and exercises. though it is chronic disease and expensive treatment.
As parkinson's is a complicate disease people with parkinson's have mental and physical stress.
Mental disorders including insomina, constipation, vivid dreaming, blurred vision,slurred speech, saliva, difficulty swallowing.
Physical disorders are shaking, stiff muscles, slow movements and poor balance. The symptoms are usually mild at first and you may not need any treatment for a while.Symptoms tend to progress slowly and in no particular order. Parkinson's disease affects everyone differently, and you probably won't get all of these symptoms.
Parkinson's is not a process of age aging therefore there are treatment i.e medication, diet, nutrition and exercises. though it is chronic disease and expensive treatment.
Monday, January 19, 2009
Diet,Supplements and Exercise
Diet and exercise are important to buidup strength and activate your body besides medication and are important for PD patients. I do blood test on antixodiant yearly to assess my vitamin level and supplement taking to supplement the level
Diet, supplements and exercise have an important part to play in controlling some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and helping sufferers to maintain as active a lifestyle as possible.
Diet
There is no diet that has been proven to slow down the progression of the disease but sensible eating can help manage some of the symptoms. Diets rich in vegetables and fiber can help ease constipation. And a regular intake of oily fish, which contains Omega 3 - the “wonder ingredient” of the moment - may help to improve levels of concentration.
B vitamins play a role in the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are important in regulating mood and other brain functions. Folic acid deficiency has been noted among people with depression. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is the cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin, so vitamin B6 deficiency might result in depression. And there is some evidence that people with depression respond better to treatment if they have higher levels of vitamin B12
Diet, supplements and exercise have an important part to play in controlling some of the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and helping sufferers to maintain as active a lifestyle as possible.
Diet
There is no diet that has been proven to slow down the progression of the disease but sensible eating can help manage some of the symptoms. Diets rich in vegetables and fiber can help ease constipation. And a regular intake of oily fish, which contains Omega 3 - the “wonder ingredient” of the moment - may help to improve levels of concentration.
B vitamins play a role in the production of certain neurotransmitters, which are important in regulating mood and other brain functions. Folic acid deficiency has been noted among people with depression. Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is the cofactor for enzymes that convert L-tryptophan to serotonin, so vitamin B6 deficiency might result in depression. And there is some evidence that people with depression respond better to treatment if they have higher levels of vitamin B12
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Sideeffects of Levodopa and Dopamine Medication
Side effects are a part of life people with parkinson’s disease when one takes medication .
However, not all individuals react the same to medications and some people experience more side effects than others.
Levodopa and dopamine are the most common medication for people with parkinson’s diseases. They are effective for pakinson’s patients. They are known for it’s ability to reduce tremors and to slowdown the slowness of movement.
The most often experienced sideeffect of levodopa and dopamine are nauses and vomiting. other sideeffect are dizziness and dry mouth
With increased dosages some people suffer moments of confusion, experience hallucinations and in extreme cases, suffer a psychotic episode.
However, not all individuals react the same to medications and some people experience more side effects than others.
Levodopa and dopamine are the most common medication for people with parkinson’s diseases. They are effective for pakinson’s patients. They are known for it’s ability to reduce tremors and to slowdown the slowness of movement.
The most often experienced sideeffect of levodopa and dopamine are nauses and vomiting. other sideeffect are dizziness and dry mouth
With increased dosages some people suffer moments of confusion, experience hallucinations and in extreme cases, suffer a psychotic episode.
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