Posted on February 27th, 2009 by heroteo
There are two categories of Gene cause the disease linked to parkinson disease,
A causal gene alone, without the influence of other genes or environmental factors, guarantees that a person who inherits it will develop PD. This kind of genetic Parkinson’s is very rare, accounting for perhaps one to two percent of people with PD.
The second category of genes, “associated genes,” do not cause Parkinson’s on their own, but increase the risk of developing it. A person may have these genes and never develop PD, while people who do not have these genes can still end up being diagnosed with Parkinson’s. However, those who have the gene are more likely to develop PD then those without it. In order for associated genes to trigger PD, they probably need to be combined with other genes or environmental factors.
Scientists discovered both kinds of genes by studying families in which many members have developed Parkinson’s. It may be helpful to look at some of these families and how they have been affected by genetics.
In my family I have three parkinson's brothers.
They are at different stages of parkinson's diseases.
Question:
What category of gene are they? casual or associated gene
Kindly advise
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Is parkinson an expensive disease?
teokimhoeJoined: 03 Mar 2007Posts: 123Location: Malaysia
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:26 pm Post subject: Is Parkinson treatment an expensive?
As parkinson's is a chronic disease. It is not ageing disease PD patients are different from what we define themself as "patient" i.e only during acute, self-limited illness or injury that temporarily impact their lives as an inconvenience or comfort. It is estimated out of 2-3% at the age above 50 years old are Parkinson disease sufferers. Unfortunately we are shortage of PD specialists. As the result some are wrongly diagnosed as a process of ageing. There are reasons that the treatment on Parkinson an expensive: First, PD is a progressive disease, getting worse over time, so that the medications and doses that work well early in the disease are insufficient later on. Second, the most effective drugs have long-term side effects that are troubling and difficult to control. Third, there are a lot of different treatment options, and finding the right combination can be time consuming. Fourth, the PD patient is likely being treated for other conditions associated with advancing age, and these conditions or their treatment may interfere with treatment of PD.
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 10:26 pm Post subject: Is Parkinson treatment an expensive?
As parkinson's is a chronic disease. It is not ageing disease PD patients are different from what we define themself as "patient" i.e only during acute, self-limited illness or injury that temporarily impact their lives as an inconvenience or comfort. It is estimated out of 2-3% at the age above 50 years old are Parkinson disease sufferers. Unfortunately we are shortage of PD specialists. As the result some are wrongly diagnosed as a process of ageing. There are reasons that the treatment on Parkinson an expensive: First, PD is a progressive disease, getting worse over time, so that the medications and doses that work well early in the disease are insufficient later on. Second, the most effective drugs have long-term side effects that are troubling and difficult to control. Third, there are a lot of different treatment options, and finding the right combination can be time consuming. Fourth, the PD patient is likely being treated for other conditions associated with advancing age, and these conditions or their treatment may interfere with treatment of PD.
apathy vs depression
Joined: 03 Mar 2007Posts: 121Location: Malaysia
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:29 am Post subject: Apathy vs depression
The symptoms of Apathy : indifference, unconcern, lifelessness, uninterested, dullness, listless, uninquisitiveness, lack of emotions or feeling,etc Symptoms of depression: sadness, poor appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of guilt, self-criticism and worthlessness Apathy and depression are different emotional disorders. It is hard to deal people with apathy rather depression. There are so far no medication available for people with apathy. However people with depression started apathy if it is not treated._________________to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
Back to top
wheelersceJoined: 02 Mar 2007Posts: 686Location: MI
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject:
I've heard the doctors say how hard it is to treat apathy, but for me two things helped. 1) stop taking Amantadine. 2) start taking Prozac. I know antidepressants aren't supposed to help with apathy, but after taking them for a very short time I went from not wanting to do anything at all (and believing nothing would ever seem fun again) to a reasonable sense of satisfaction with daily life. Antidepressants are worth a try. I never thought I'd be such a pill-pusher! sw
Question 1Can depression in Parkinson's be avoided?
Answer 1If the Parkinsonian symptoms are well controlled -especially if freezes and off periods are minimised, and pain is controlled, the risk of depression would be reduced. It is important however for carers and patients to be on the look out for signs of depression [low mood and irritability, inability to enjoy things, social withdrawal, reduced interest in life, sleep disturbance etc.] so it can be treated early; the presence of support structures and social contact will also help ...proper diet and exercise and using alcohol safely are also important. I don't think it is ever possible to state that by doing certain things you can prevent depression in every case but these are suggestions that may help to reduce the risk of onset.RC
Question 2What makes depression in Parkinson's different from ordinary depression?
Answer 2This is a difficult one. I guess it is different in that the person now has [at least] 2 disorders to cope with and that itself brings on frustration...there is some evidence that guilt feelings and suicidal ideas are less common in Parkinson's Depression; the big problem is that many of the symptoms of Parkinson's are similar to those of Depression so accurate diagnosis is not easy; in any event the principles of treatment are the same as in non-Parkinsonian Depression.RC
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:29 am Post subject: Apathy vs depression
The symptoms of Apathy : indifference, unconcern, lifelessness, uninterested, dullness, listless, uninquisitiveness, lack of emotions or feeling,etc Symptoms of depression: sadness, poor appetite, sleep disturbances, fatigue, feelings of guilt, self-criticism and worthlessness Apathy and depression are different emotional disorders. It is hard to deal people with apathy rather depression. There are so far no medication available for people with apathy. However people with depression started apathy if it is not treated._________________to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
Back to top
wheelersceJoined: 02 Mar 2007Posts: 686Location: MI
Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 4:53 pm Post subject:
I've heard the doctors say how hard it is to treat apathy, but for me two things helped. 1) stop taking Amantadine. 2) start taking Prozac. I know antidepressants aren't supposed to help with apathy, but after taking them for a very short time I went from not wanting to do anything at all (and believing nothing would ever seem fun again) to a reasonable sense of satisfaction with daily life. Antidepressants are worth a try. I never thought I'd be such a pill-pusher! sw
Question 1Can depression in Parkinson's be avoided?
Answer 1If the Parkinsonian symptoms are well controlled -especially if freezes and off periods are minimised, and pain is controlled, the risk of depression would be reduced. It is important however for carers and patients to be on the look out for signs of depression [low mood and irritability, inability to enjoy things, social withdrawal, reduced interest in life, sleep disturbance etc.] so it can be treated early; the presence of support structures and social contact will also help ...proper diet and exercise and using alcohol safely are also important. I don't think it is ever possible to state that by doing certain things you can prevent depression in every case but these are suggestions that may help to reduce the risk of onset.RC
Question 2What makes depression in Parkinson's different from ordinary depression?
Answer 2This is a difficult one. I guess it is different in that the person now has [at least] 2 disorders to cope with and that itself brings on frustration...there is some evidence that guilt feelings and suicidal ideas are less common in Parkinson's Depression; the big problem is that many of the symptoms of Parkinson's are similar to those of Depression so accurate diagnosis is not easy; in any event the principles of treatment are the same as in non-Parkinsonian Depression.RC
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
MY prescriptions
Treatments
Update My Prescriptions
Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa)
motilium
Requip (ropinirole)
Selegiline
Plavix (clopidogrel)
Flonase Nasal Spray (fluticasone)
Zocor (simvastatin)
Fluimucil (acetylcysteine)
Lansoprazole
Salagen (pilocarpine)
Xatral XL
Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa)
Betaserc (betahistine)
See all my treatments
Update My Prescriptions
Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa)
motilium
Requip (ropinirole)
Selegiline
Plavix (clopidogrel)
Flonase Nasal Spray (fluticasone)
Zocor (simvastatin)
Fluimucil (acetylcysteine)
Lansoprazole
Salagen (pilocarpine)
Xatral XL
Sinemet (carbidopa-levodopa)
Betaserc (betahistine)
See all my treatments
Monday, February 23, 2009
Nutrient and PD
A balanced, nutritious diet is important in Parkinson’s.
Many people with Parkinson’s disease lose weight because of poor appetite and inadequate food intake. Others who take levodopa may find that protein interferes with the dose of their medications taken immediately before, during or after the meal.
When it comes to nutrition, what matters most?
Eat a balanced diet with all of the daily nutritional requirements
Maintain bone health
Maintain bowel regularity
Balance medications and food
Adjust nutritional priorities for your situation and stage of disease
If you progressively lose weight for no clear reason you should bring this symptom to the attention of your physician, and undergo a careful and thorough medical evaluation.
Extra fresh fruits and vegetables provide fiber that will help or prevent constipation.
Limiting protein intake or staggering the levodopa dosing to avoid conflicts with meals can help solve this problem.
Take your medications before mealtimes on an empty stomach. For people who have swallowing difficulties, a diet of soft foods may be recommended.
Drink plenty of fluids during the day to keep hydrated, which helps to prevent constipation.
Many people with Parkinson’s disease lose weight because of poor appetite and inadequate food intake. Others who take levodopa may find that protein interferes with the dose of their medications taken immediately before, during or after the meal.
When it comes to nutrition, what matters most?
Eat a balanced diet with all of the daily nutritional requirements
Maintain bone health
Maintain bowel regularity
Balance medications and food
Adjust nutritional priorities for your situation and stage of disease
If you progressively lose weight for no clear reason you should bring this symptom to the attention of your physician, and undergo a careful and thorough medical evaluation.
Extra fresh fruits and vegetables provide fiber that will help or prevent constipation.
Limiting protein intake or staggering the levodopa dosing to avoid conflicts with meals can help solve this problem.
Take your medications before mealtimes on an empty stomach. For people who have swallowing difficulties, a diet of soft foods may be recommended.
Drink plenty of fluids during the day to keep hydrated, which helps to prevent constipation.
The stages of PD
Question:
Can you please explain the stages of Parkinson's disease? I need to know what to expect as the disease progresses so that I can be prepared for it. (CH)Hide Answer
A:
The "staging" of Parkinson's disease (PD) is not based on symptoms seen but rather on the level of limitations the person with PD is experiencing. For example, Stage 1 is defined as minor involvement on only one side of the body with no limitations in daily activities. Stage 5 is defined as sigificant limitations, bed or wheelchair-bound and requiring assistance with all daily activities. There are many symptoms that can be seen as part of Parkinson's, but not every person with this diagnosis is going to experience every one or any symptom in a particular order. And because everyone's activities of daily life can differ greatly, a symptom such as tremor that might limit or bother one person may not interfere in someone else's life which doesn't require a steady hand. Therefore, I would rather encourage you to learn about Parkinson's disease itself to understand what symptoms are possible to be seen and what therapies are available to help limit the severity of these symptoms should they be experienced. I would encourage you to learn about exercise and dietary considerations and coping strategies for different symptoms that may arise. Know what's possible AND that there are things that can be done so IF such problems arise, you can recognize them and are prepared to tackle them. We can help as we offer a wide variety of printed materials which cover most all aspects of Parkinson's (re-visit our website at www.pdf.org); we have four counselors available to help via our toll-free HelpLine (800)457-6676. We have resources to other organizations, agencies, foundations, etc. which, should the need arise, we are happy to share. Let us know how we can help
Can you please explain the stages of Parkinson's disease? I need to know what to expect as the disease progresses so that I can be prepared for it. (CH)Hide Answer
A:
The "staging" of Parkinson's disease (PD) is not based on symptoms seen but rather on the level of limitations the person with PD is experiencing. For example, Stage 1 is defined as minor involvement on only one side of the body with no limitations in daily activities. Stage 5 is defined as sigificant limitations, bed or wheelchair-bound and requiring assistance with all daily activities. There are many symptoms that can be seen as part of Parkinson's, but not every person with this diagnosis is going to experience every one or any symptom in a particular order. And because everyone's activities of daily life can differ greatly, a symptom such as tremor that might limit or bother one person may not interfere in someone else's life which doesn't require a steady hand. Therefore, I would rather encourage you to learn about Parkinson's disease itself to understand what symptoms are possible to be seen and what therapies are available to help limit the severity of these symptoms should they be experienced. I would encourage you to learn about exercise and dietary considerations and coping strategies for different symptoms that may arise. Know what's possible AND that there are things that can be done so IF such problems arise, you can recognize them and are prepared to tackle them. We can help as we offer a wide variety of printed materials which cover most all aspects of Parkinson's (re-visit our website at www.pdf.org); we have four counselors available to help via our toll-free HelpLine (800)457-6676. We have resources to other organizations, agencies, foundations, etc. which, should the need arise, we are happy to share. Let us know how we can help
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