Risk Factors And Causes
There isnt one single cause of Parkinsons that has been proven at this time. Researchers believe a loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine, neurological damage, inflammation and brain cell deterioration are among the primary factors that trigger Parkinsons development. But why exactly patients develop these problems is a complex issue that remains up for debate.
What is known is that certain risk factors can make someone more susceptible to developing Parkinsons disease, which can include:
- Being a man, especially during older age. Research suggests that men in their 50s and 60s are most likely to develop Parkinsons.
- Genetic susceptibility: Studies have now identified several gene mutations that can put someone at a greater risk. Parkinsons has also been found to run in families, and having a sibling or parent increases someones risk.
- Damage to the area of the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces brain cells that are responsible for making dopamine.
- Toxicity and exposure to chemicals, including pesticides present on produce from non-organic farming. Living in a rural area and drinking well-water that might contain chemicals is another environmental risk factor.
- Poor diet, nutrient deficiencies, food allergies and an unhealthy lifestyle.
- Hormonal imbalances and other medical conditions that affect cognitive health and increase inflammation.
What Are Neurodegenerative Diseases
Simply put, neurodegenerative diseases happen when nerve cells in the brain deteriorate and die. Some of the most common neurodegenerative diseases are Alheimers disease and Parkinsons disease, but also include other conditions like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Huntingtons disease. These conditions are often debilitating, not just for the individual diagnosed but for his or her entire family and social network.
Lets talk about Alzheimers and Parkinsons in a bit more detail.
Alzheimers Disease
Alzheimers is a form of dementia that involves progressive memory loss and the eventual impairment of cognition, language and behaviour. Patients develop neurofibrillary tangles and senile plaques . 2 This leads to brain atrophy.
About 500,000 Canadians and 5 million Americans live with dementia.
Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects movement. The nerve degeneration occurs in a part of the mid brain called the substantia nigra, and the destroyed neurons are no longer able to produce the dopamine needed to control movement. 3
Some of the resulting symptoms include tremors, slow movement, stooped posture, joint stiffness and instability.
About 7 million people worldwide live with Parkinsons.
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At BrainMD, we see your brain as a sophisticated supercomputer with both hardware and software. For peak efficiency, the machinery needs to work effectively.
When your brain hardware or machinery doesnt work quite as smoothly, your health practitioner may suggest therapeutic and biological interventions, including exercise, supplements, medication, neurofeedback, sleep apnea evaluations and treatment, hyperbaric oxygen, and more.
Whenever feasible, we recommend the most natural ways to heal and support the brain, such as supplements and lifestyle interventions nutrition plans and workout prescriptions, for example. While we still use medications when needed, and believe they save lives when used appropriately, we believe that treatment providers should first do no harm, and use the least toxic treatments.
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Parkinsons Symptoms Causes & Risk Factors You Need To Know
Parkinsons disease is a chronic, cognitive condition thats claiming more and more people every year. Experts now estimate that in the worlds most populated nations, rates of Parkinsons disease will climb to almost 40 million sufferers by the year 2030. As the worlds population of older adults increases, and people on average live longer than ever before, the number of Parkinsons patients dealing with Parkinsons symptoms who are both young and old is expected to reach an all-time high.
Some researchers predict that the U.S. alone will spend around $14 billion annually to help treat Parkinsons patients by the year 2040! And over the course of a lifetime, preventing and stopping disease progression in just one Parkinsons patient is believed to save the health care system more than $440,000.
Luckily, a 2016 study by a team of researchers at the University of Saskatchewan found a possible way to stop the progression of Parkinsons. Researchers created caffeine-based chemical compounds, also containing nicotine, metformin and aminoindan, that prevented the misfolding of alpha-synuclein, a protein necessary for dopamine regulation.
With alarming news that Parkinsons rates have more than doubled in recent decades, now more than ever people are relying on a combination of treatments to control Parkinsons symptoms. Below youll learn about natural remedies for Parkinsons symptoms, including dietary interventions and mind-body therapies.
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Lyme Disease Brain Scan
SPECT is a nuclear medicine study that evaluates blood flow and activity in the brain. Basically, it shows three things: healthy activity, too little activity, or too much activity. The healthy surface brain SPECT scan on the left, looking down from the top, shows full, even symmetrical activity. The scan on the right, which is the scan of a patient with Lyme disease, shows overall decreased blood flow in the brain denoted by the bumpy surface of the brain. The indentations seen in the brain scan are areas of the brain that are low in blood flow and activity due to the infection.
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If The Dose Exceeds Patient Need
First of all we learned that if the initial dose of thiamine is too high for the patient, they will experience a worsening of the symptoms after a few days characterized by an initial improvement.
In this case we invite the patient to halt the treatment with high dose thiamine for a week or so, and when the worsening regresses we restart the therapy with lower doses, often half the original dose.
In our experience the correct dose should not lead to collateral/unwanted effects, only to benefits for the patient.
This includes an improvement of UPDRS symptoms by at least 50%, and normalize the pull test.
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The Link Between Methamphetamine Addiction And Parkinsons Disease
Recent studies have linked the use of methamphetamine and amphetamine drugs, some of the most commonly used substances, to an increased risk of Parkinsons Disease. The adverse effects of methamphetamine on the neurotransmitter dopamine relate directly to a dopamine deficiency strongly associated with Parkinsons.
When other factors were also examined, including factors known to contribute to higher rates of Parkinsons, prior use or use of methamphetamines most strongly correlated with a significant increase in the risk of developing the disease.
Parkinsons is a degenerative central nervous system disease that affects approximately one million people in the United States. It is characterized by muscle tremors and spasms, muscle rigidity, impaired coordination, and decreased mobility.
Symptoms And Warning Signs
Symptoms of Parkinsons fall into two major categories: those related to motor functions, and those related to changes in someones mood. The four most common signs and symptoms of Parkinsons disease include:
- Trembling: This usually presents itself in the arms, jaw, legs and face.
- Rigidity: Most patients experience stiffness of the bodys core as well as their arms and legs.
- Bradykinesia: This is the term for slowness of movement. Some patients pause or freeze when moving without being able to start again, and others begin to shuffle when trying to walk.
- Postural instability : This results in loss of strength, loss of balance and problems with moving muscles or coordinating body parts.
Other symptoms that can also occur, which often impact someones moods and other behaviors, include:
- Sexual dysfunction
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Finding The Correct Dose
The correct dose varies on the basis of:
- Duration of the disease (the longer is the duration of the disease, the higher will be in general the doses
- Severity of the symptoms and rate of progression of the disease
- Weight and physical characteristics of the patient
- Sensitivity/responsiveness to the treatment.
In order to determine the right dose, we usually stick to the following protocol.
In case of recent onset of the disease in patients whose weight is between 50 to 65 kg , we begin the therapy with two grams of thiamine per day, before and after lunch.
In case the patient weighs more, the dose can be three grams per day, always divided into two administrations.
Oral thiamine should not be taken with juices or any sour beverage, water only.
The equivalent Intramuscular administration of thiamine would be:
- For 2 grams/day orally = 1 x 100mg injectable solution per week
- For 3 grams/day orally = 2 x 75mg injectable solution per week
- For 4 grams/day orally = 2 x 100 mg injectable solution per week.
NOTE: When it is administrated through intramuscular injections treatment could lead to allergic reactions . Mainly there are dermatological rushes and allergic phenomena.
NOTE: It is not suggested to use IM high dose thiamine for patients under treatment with anticoagulants since the injection may cause a hematoma in the location of the shot.
The correct dose of high-dose thiamine therapy reduces greatly the symptoms. What remains responds readily to the use of l-dopa.
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Common Symptoms Of Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s symptoms vary according to the individual. Early signs, which can be so mild as to go practically unnoticed, may initially affect only one side of the body. They may also remain more prominent on that side, even when symptoms have spread to both sides. Typical symptoms include asymmetric tremors when at rest, rigidity, and bradykinesia .
Parkinson’s tremors usually begin in one limb, such as one hand or even just the fingers. One of the most common, a pill-rolling tremor, manifests as an involuntary rubbing of the thumb and pointer finger as if there were a pill between them.
Muscle stiffness, another frequent issue for individuals with Parkinson’s, can happen in any part of the body, limiting range of motion and causing pain.
Independent of muscle stiffness, the bradykinesia associated with Parkinsons disease can make it difficult to move. Tasks that were once easy can become challenging and take far longer to complete. A Parkinsons patient may take shorter steps, have trouble rising from a seated position, and drag his or her feet when walking. Stooped posture as well as balance issues often arise.
There can also be less capacity for engaging in unconscious movements, such as blinking, smiling, or walking with arms that swing naturally by your sides.
Speech problems may develop too: a person with PD may talk softly or quickly, slur words, hesitate before talking, or speak in a monotone. The ability to write may also be impacted.
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The Consequences Of Improper Diagnosis And Treatment
When people with undetected Lyme disease or other infections are misdiagnosed with psychiatric illnesses or cognitive dysfunction, treatments often dont work. And in some cases, they can make symptoms worse. Without the appropriate treatment, the infection persists, causing further injury to the brain.
This can eventually lead to trouble in all areas of your life, including decreased productivity at work, poor school performance, and problems in relationships. Without the appropriate treatment, Lyme disease or other infections can steal your mind and steal your life.
For people who are not responding to treatment for their symptoms, it is very important to investigate whether an underlying infection may be contributing to the issue.
Lyme disease can be misdiagnosed as or lead to:
Streptococcus can be misdiagnosed as or lead to:
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
Toxoplasma gondii can be misdiagnosed as or lead to:
- Schizophrenia
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Causes And Risk Factors
The causes of Parkinsons disease are multifactorial and still not entirely agreed upon. Researchers now know that both genetic factors and certain environmental/lifestyle habits contribute to Parkinsons development. While the exact combination of factors causing Parkinsons disease have yet to be proved definitively, a few theories show strong validity.
Factors that contribute to Parkinsons disease include:
- Genetics: Recently theres been some major advances in the field of cognitive disorders, including identifying several genes that put someone at a great risk for disorders like Parkinsons, as well as locating regions of the brain involved in age-related cognitive decline.
- Brain cell deterioration and inflammation: The latest research suggests that deterioration of an area of the brain called the substantia nigra plays a role in cognitive disorders, including Parkinsons. The substantia nigra normally produces brain cells that are responsible for neurotransmitter production, including making the chemical dopamine, which is crucial for learning, muscle control, memory and behavior regulation.
- Toxicity and exposure to chemicals
- Poor diet and unhealthy lifestyle
- Hormonal imbalances and other medical conditions
Research shows that risk factors for Parkinsons disease can include:
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What Causes Neurodegenerative Diseases
The two main factors that lead to neurodegenerative disease are inflammation and oxidative stress.4 In fact, these two factors are present in almost all chronic degenerative diseases.
Inflammation occurs when bad fats and refined and processed foods are consumed on regular basis. This SAD diet is loaded with pro-inflammatory fats such as trans-fats and arachidonic acid. These fats promote inflammation in the body. 5
The other factor leading to neurodegenerative disease is oxidation. 6 Oxidation is to the body what rust is to metal. When tissues get oxidized, they slowly get damaged and eventually decrease in function. Excess oxidative damage can occur in the body when there is a lack of antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, CoQ10 and others.
Other factors that can influence neurdegeneration are genetics7 and increasingly, the environment. Environmental neurotoxins such as heavy metals as well as pesticides can boost our risk of developing neurodegenerative disorders. 8
Pollution also plays a factor. In one recent study, researchers found that people living close to main roads had higher incidences of dementia, Parkinsons and multiple sclerosis. 9
Why Choose Amen Clinics For Treatment Of Memory Problems
At Amen Clinics, we use brain SPECT imaging as part of a comprehensive evaluation that also includes lab testing and assessing the biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors that may contribute to memory problems. Based on all of this information, we can identify the root causes of memory problems and develop a personalized treatment plan to reverse memory loss. Our Memory Rescue program has already helped thousands of patients improve their memory and cognitive abilities.
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Use Your Brain To Change Your Age By Daniel G Amen Md
Use Your Brain to Change Your Age: Secrets to Look, Feel, and Think Younger Every Day Crown Archetype, New York 2013
You may have seen Dr. Daniel Amen, the controversial integrative psychiatrist, who got his medical degree from the Oral Roberts University School of Medicine, on the PBS channel doing pull-ups on an overhead bar, embracing his younger wife, and talking about his many books on the brain. His presentations have been aired thousands of times all over the country in connection with major fund-raising. His PBS presentations are available on his website, amenclinics.com. He has also been featured on Dr. Phil, Larry King, The View, and other programs. In contrast to the general bad rep of psychiatry in this country, Amen seems like a breath of fresh air.
In his most recent book, however, there are no secrets revealed, just some standard health advice presented via other sources. The nonnutrition- related information discussed in the various chapters such as sleep, stimulating the brain with learning , exercise, and so on, is pretty standard. We can read similar information in other recent books on the brain by a series of MDs, such as Neal Barnard, David Perlmutter and Mark Hyman, among others.
He advises clients to avoid saturated animal fats and recommends lowfat dairy products. A high saturated fat intake according to Amen is a modifiable health risk factor which should be decreased.
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S-AdenosylMethionine occurs naturally in our cells and has been intensively researched. This small molecule has a huge energy charge that powers over 200 enzymes necessary for healthy cell growth, maturation, and specialization. In the brain, SAMe is required for nerve cells to make energy, maintain connectivity, and generate mood-related neurotransmitters. Data from numerous clinical trials indicate SAMe strongly promotes positive mood.
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Promotes Joint Comfort And Mobility
In controlled clinical trials, SAMe has consistently improved human joint health, including joint comfort and mobility. Freedom of movement promotes more positive mood, and taking SAMe promotes both. This product helps maintain the bodys SAMe supplies, which are subject to depletion by pharmaceutical use, toxins, or metabolic decline associated with aging.
Adverse Health Effects Of Methamphetamines
In addition to dopamine cell death, use of methamphetamine, a nervous system stimulant, can also lead to memory loss and cardiovascular damage, as well as psychotic behaviors, social isolation, aggravation or aggression, and mood disorders including anxiety, depression, and paranoia.
Someone who is abusing methamphetamine is also likely to experience an increase in both respiration and heart rate, irregular heartbeats, a significant reduction in appetite, and severe insomnia. Methamphetamine use can also lead to a feeling skin crawling, in which someone feels compelled to scratch or pick at their skin. Hair loss and tooth decay are also common with long-term use of methamphetamine, as is malnutrition from changes in diet.
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