Your Home And Lifestyle
- Modify your activities and your home. For example, simplify your daily activities, and change the location of furniture so that you can hold on to something as you move around the house.
- Eat healthy foods, including plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, cereals, legumes, poultry, fish, lean meats, and low-fat dairy products.
- Exercise and do physiotherapy. They have benefits in both early and advanced stages of the disease.
Sharon Distinguishes Between What Is Best Talked About To The Neurologist And What The Nurse Is
pour her heart out to her
What happens when you go to the neurologist, when you did go? What happened last?
Its all rather quick really. He says, How are you? Yes. Blah, blah, blah. Keep taking the medicine and, and whatnot. And, but the last time I went to see the nurse, she said I could experiment with it a bit. And I could experiment perhaps having it instead of every four hours, taking some of it every two hours. But the thing is you have to experiment again over two weeks or something, and Im very loath to do that because it might interrupt my time as it were and might put me out. So I havent done that yet. And Id like to know really a bit more scientifically about this experimentation really. You know, should I halve, halve any of these pills Im taking one of them, or should I just take one of them in the middle, or what will happen? Im a bit, Im a bit frightened really of changing the routine, because the routine is working fairly well now. But it could be better.
Do you always see the consultant or do you see just the registrar?Are they in a position to prescribe? Can they change your prescription?
When And Where Can I Find Help
Support is a central and protective element that helps overcome daily challenges. Start identifying the people around you and the healthcare system or community resources that can help you.
Ideally, you should start building your support system as soon as you learn about the diagnosis. You may not need help immediately but finding resources will be easier now than the day you become overwhelmed.
If you feel like you can no longer cope with the exhaustion, take a break and let others take care of your loved one. Not everything will be done according to your requirements and methods, but you must learn to let go of certain things so that your health does not suffer.
Asking for help may seem difficult at first but remember that it is neither a sign of weakness nor abandonment of your loved one.
Parkinson Québecs toll-free, bilingual and confidential information and referral line is open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
LAppui also offers an information service for caregivers, 7 days a week, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. You can reach them by phone at 1 855 852-7784 or by email at [email protected]. A resource directory for caregivers is also available on their website.
Ask those around you for help
Involve family and friends by discussing care options if you are not available or in the case of an emergency.
Create a list of professionals and caregivers in your support system
Open a file at the CLSC
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What Are The Chances Of Getting Parkinsons If My Siblings Have It
Three older siblings have Parkinsons disease, but the three younger siblings have shown no symptoms yet. Genetic testing for Parkinsons can give answers.
Dr. Zbigniew K. Wszolek responds:
The chance that you have the genetic form of Parkinson’s disease is relatively high, but it’s impossible to say how high without knowing more about your family history. For example, knowing if you have a parent or grandparent with Parkinson’s can clarify whether your family carries one of five major genes thought to cause the disease.
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The best advice I can give you would be to visit a genetic clinicavailable at most major universitieswhere you can undergo a test to learn whether you are a genetic carrier or not. A genetic counselor can also explain to you the pros and cons of testing. It’s important to realize that knowing you are a mutation carrier will not change anything, because we don’t have a treatment available to halt progression of the disease. But some people are interested in genetic testing because they feel they can use the information to modify their lifestyle some may choose not have children, for example, while others may decide to join clinical trials. Also, knowing whether or not you are a gene carrier may bring some peace of mind.
Movement Disorders Similar To Parkinsons
Conditions causing excess movement or decreased movement that are sometimes associated with Parkinson’s disease-like symptoms include:
What Movement Disorder Could I Have?
When making a Parkinson’s diagnosis, your doctor will review your medical history and symptoms, perform a careful neurological exam, and, if necessary, carry out further tests to rule out other movement disorders.
Your symptoms may be caused by a movement disorder other than Parkinson’s disease if:
- You display Parkinson’s disease symptoms and features that are characteristic of an additional movement disorder.
- The results of a brain imaging study or laboratory test, such as a blood test, confirm the presence of another movement disorder.
- Your symptoms do not respond to Parkinson’s disease medication.
Because movement disorders are not all treated the same way, it is important to get a proper diagnosis as early as possible so you can formulate the right treatment plan with your doctor.
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What You Can Do To Help Maintain Parkinson’s Disease :
- DETOXIFY YOUR BODY ON A REGULAR BASIS, ESPECIALLY A HEAVY METAL DETOX
- EAT PLENTY OF FRESH FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
- SUPPORT HEALTHY BRAIN FUNCTION WITH NUTRIENTS SPECIFIC FOR NEUROTRANSMITTER PRODUCTION. .
- DO NOT USE ALUMINUM COOKWARE OR ANTIPERSPIRANTS USE STAINLESS STEEL AND DEODORANTS INSTEAD.
- TAKE B COMPLEX
- USE THE BRAIN FOOD, LECITHIN
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What Are The Symptoms
The four main symptoms of Parkinson’s are:
- Tremor, which means shaking or trembling. Tremor may affect your hands, arms, or legs.
- Stiff muscles.
- Slow movement.
- Problems with balance or walking.
Tremor may be the first symptom you notice. It’s one of the most common signs of the disease, although not everyone has it.
More importantly, not everyone with a tremor has Parkinson’s disease.
Tremor often starts in just one arm or leg or on only one side of the body. It may be worse when you are awake but not moving the affected arm or leg. It may get better when you move the limb or you are asleep.
In time, Parkinson’s affects muscles all through your body, so it can lead to problems like trouble swallowing or constipation.
In the later stages of the disease, a person with Parkinson’s may have a fixed or blank expression, trouble speaking, and other problems. Some people also lose mental skills .
People usually start to have symptoms between the ages of 50 and 60. But sometimes symptoms start earlier.
Knowing That It Is Msa And Not Parkinsons Is Important
Over the years MSA Coalition Board Members have heard the frustration about a slow diagnosis after the initial diagnosis of Parkinsons.While MSA is fatal, knowing the correct diagnosis, is still important.
Multiple system atrophy affects multiple systems in the body.As a result, while there are not MSA specific treatments, treating the various symptoms from sleep disorders, urinary and bowel issues, blood pressure control, etc. can vastly improve quality of life. The earlier an MSA patient is diagnosed, the earlier doctors can establish a plan of action to improve symptoms that can be very disabling. Another factor is that Parkinsons medications typically stop working in MSA patients.
An early diagnosis also allows patients and their families to spend quality time together while they are still able.It also provides time to prepare for end-of-life issues, such as preparing wills and living wills.
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Signs It Might Be Multiple System Atrophy Instead Of Parkinsons Disease
Here are some clues as to whether it is multiple system atrophy or Parkinsons disease. One of the easier distinctions is between PD and MSA-C .If the patient presents with unsteadiness while walking, uncoordinated arms and legs, bladder disturbance and/or dizziness when standing the diagnosis is more likely to be MSA-C. On the other hand, if a person looks Parkinsonian the distinction can be harder, but there are clues:
- In the earlier stages of MSA-P , which is often when people have just been told they have Parkinsons disease, some patients will fall often.Frequent falls also occur in Parkinsons disease, but it typically occurs 10-15 years after diagnosis.
- In patients with MSA the classic Parkinsons drug L-Dopa may work initially but will stop working very quickly.It can continue working in PD patients for many years.
- Dementia is not associated with MSA however, it does occur in patients with lewy body Parkinsons disease.
- Early autonomic nervous system symptoms such as low blood pressure when standing and issues with the bladder are often signs of possible MSA in patients diagnosed with Parkinsons.
- Vocal cord issues are less common but very typical in MSA and much less common in PD.Some examples include difficulty getting words out, odd sighs and even falling asleep during a conversation.
These Exercises Have Helped With My Sisters Cognitive Issues
An article by Joana Carvalho for Parkinsons News Today discusses a study researching cognitive impairment and mobility as predictors of driving ability in PD. Researchers noted that, Our finding that cognitive impairment is the biggest predictor of poor driving ability is supported by the existing literature. Cognitive testing should hence form a key component of a predictive tool of driving ability in .
Last year, my sister, who has some short-term memory challenges, made the decision to surrender her car keys. However, after two months of feeling frustrated and relying on others for transportation to local stores, Bev changed her mind.
The community where she lives offers shuttle transportation to her long-distance physician appointments, but her son or daughter must pick her up for the return home.
Bev drives only when weather permits it in her hometown in Ohio, and its less than 10 miles to her local stores.
At least I feel like I can control something and feel independent, she told me.
Shopping gives her genuine pleasure. Whether shes looking for groceries or perusing the local Dollar Store, Bev is a shopping maven.
Still, her son and I have concerns but are trying to be respectful of her desire to maintain her independence. Our concerns focus on her sometimes shaking hands, possible slowed reaction time, and decreased physical strength to operate the car.
In response, Bev, her son, and I have agreed to the following driving guidelines for her:
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S You Can Take To Reduce Fatigue
If you are feeling fatigued and exhausted all the time, what can you do about it?
First and most importantly, speak to your healthcare provider about how much the fatigue disturbs you. Does it undermine your daily activities? Does it make it more difficult to attend clinic visits or rehabilitation appointments? Does it feed into your emotional life? Does it undermine your coping ability? Once you speak to your practitioner about your fatigue, your medical professional might also recommend the following steps:
- Engage in regular physical exercise, including the use of weights to increase muscle strength. Studies show that physical exercise combats both physical and mental fatigue.
- Consider taking anti-depressant medication. Although fatigue is not caused by depression, depression can worsen fatigue . Treating depression if it is present might allow you to overcome fatigue with exercise or some other treatment.
- Consider trying stimulants like Ritalin , normally prescribed for attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder or Provigil , prescribed for sleep apnea, as an adjunct for depression and as a palliative treatment in end of life care. Some healthcare providers have reported that these drugs may help certain Parkinson’s patients.
Living With Supranuclear Palsy
Although there is no known cure, medicines and devices can help you live with the symptoms. Work with your healthcare provider to find ways to make walking safer and improve your vision. PSP is not fatal but it is important that you do not breathe in food particles while you are eating because it could be life threatening.
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Medication Not Working The Way It Used To
In the early stages, taking medicine works well to get rid of symptoms. But as Parkinsons progresses, your medication works for shorter periods of time, and symptoms return more easily. Your doctor will need to change your prescription.
Dr. Valerie Rundle-Gonzalez, a Texas-based neurologist, says to pay attention to how long your medicine takes to kick in and when it stops working. She says you should feel like symptoms significantly improve or are almost gone while on medication.
Geraldine Relies On A Gp Who Has Made It His Business To Become Familiar With Pd And The
I found that my saviour, there are two people who saved me really and set me on the right road to coping with it, one was my GP and one was the Parkinsons disease nurse that I met when I was first hospitalised.
Many people described their appreciation of the way they can contact a Parkinsons disease nurse either locally or through Parkinson’s UK. Geraldine did point out that this still did not cover all the 24 hours of the day and that sometimes a person living alone could be very alarmed in the middle of the night. She suggested that it might be possible to set up a service, similar to what is available on some helplines, which would use trained people in different parts of the world who could to give advice in an emergency at a time when nurses in this country were in their beds.
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How Is Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Treated
While there is no medicine or procedure available to cure PSP or completely control its symptoms, there are strategies and methods that can help manage many of the symptoms.
To improve balance and improve flexibility of the muscles, medicines used to treat Parkinson disease may be effective. These include the medicine levodopa, which may be used along with other medicines. Some of the older types of antidepressants, such as amitriptyline, fluoxetine, and imipramine, can also help relieve symptoms.
If you have PSP, you may be able to use certain aids to make life easier. For example:
- Special glasses with prisms may improve your vision.
- A weighted tool that helps you walk more easily can prevent you from falling backward.
- Physical therapy and exercise may slightly improve flexibility in some people.
When symptoms are advanced and swallowing becomes too hard, you may need a feeding tube. This tube goes from an opening made in the skin of your abdomen into the stomach and provides you with needed nutrition.
When To See A Doctor About Parkinsons
There isnt one specific test to diagnose Parkinsons disease. Doctors will usually evaluate your symptoms and perform several tests to determine if you have the condition. If you notice the following early warning signs, then you should see a doctor.
The early warning signs of Parkinsons disease include:
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Dementia With Lewy Bodies
- Dementia with Lewy bodies is a progressive, neurodegenerative disorder in which abnormal deposits of a protein called alpha-synuclein build up in multiple areas of the brain.
- DLB first causes progressive problems with memory and fluctuations in thinking, as well as hallucinations. These symptoms are joined later in the course of the disease by parkinsonism with slowness, stiffness and other symptoms similar to PD.
- While the same abnormal protein is found in the brains of those with PD, when individuals with PD develop memory and thinking problems it tends to occur later in the course of their disease.
- There are no specific treatments for DLB. Treatment focuses on symptoms.
How Is Parkinson’s Disease Treated
If a doctor thinks a person has Parkinson’s disease, there’s reason for hope. Medicine can be used to eliminate or improve the symptoms, like the body tremors. And some experts think that a cure may be found soon.
For now, a medicine called levodopa is often given to people who have Parkinson’s disease. Called “L-dopa,” this medicine increases the amount of dopamine in the body and has been shown to improve a person’s ability to walk and move around. Other drugs also help decrease and manage the symptoms by affecting dopamine levels. In some cases, surgery may be needed to treat it. The person would get anesthesia, a special kind of medicine to prevent pain during the operation.
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How Much Does Parkinsons Disease Change Someones Personality
The Parkinsons Foundation has shared 10 early signs of PD, including tremor, small handwriting, and loss of smell.
While younger people with early-onset PD may have some of the same signs and symptoms as older individuals, the onset may look different, so their issues may not be attributed to PD.
The American Parkinson Disease Association notes that, Because the majority of people who get Parkinsons disease are over the age of 60, the disease is often overlooked in younger people, leading many to go undiagnosed or misdiagnosed for extended periods of time.
My sister was finally referred to a neurologist at the Cleveland Clinic Center for Neurological Restoration in Ohio, as her symptoms slowly but consistently progressed. After multiple tests, including an MRI, cognitive testing, and a movement and balance analysis, she was diagnosed with PD.
One of Bevs early signs was weakness in her left hand, which she attributed to carpal tunnel syndrome. She regularly conducted echocardiograms and electrocardiograms, which required a lot of constant hand movement. She did not have stiffness or balance issues initially, but she did have a slight head tremor.
As Bevs PD progressed, she noticed that her writing was changing. She now has stage 3 PD and said, Sometimes I cant read my own writing. I feel like it looks like chicken scratch!
Bev also has cognitive issues, mostly related to her short-term memory.