Solutions For Parkinson’s Disease

Medication For Parkinsons Disease

Once the doctor diagnoses Parkinsons disease, the next decision is whether a patient should receive medication, which depends on the following:

• The degree of functional impairment

• The degree of cognitive impairment

• Ability to tolerate antiparkinsonian medication

• The advice of the attending doctor

No two patients react the same way to a given drug, therefore, it takes time and patience to find an appropriate medication and dosage to alleviate symptoms.

Surgery For People With Parkinsons Disease

Deep brain stimulation surgery is an option to treat Parkinsons disease symptoms, but it is not suitable for everyone. There are strict criteria and guidelines on who can be a candidate for surgery, and this is something that only your doctor and you can decide. Surgery may be considered early or late in the progression of Parkinsons.

When performing deep-brain stimulation surgery, the surgeon places an electrode in the part of the brain most effected by Parkinsons disease. Electrical impulses are introduced to the brain, which has the effect of normalising the brains electrical activity reducing the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. The electrical impulse is introduced using a pacemaker-like device called a stimulator.

Thalamotomy and pallidotomy are operations where the surgeon makes an incision on part of the brain. These surgeries aim to alleviate some forms of tremor or unusual movement, but they are rarely performed now.

Treatment Options For Parkinsons

While there is no cure for Parkinsons at this time, there are a number of treatments that can ease symptoms. Parkinsons medications are the mainstay of treatment, but modalities are often used in combination. Physical, occupational and speech therapy can be critical to the treatment plan. Surgical options also have an important role for a subset of patients with Parkinsons disease. Finally, complementary therapies can be used to treat some Parkinsons disease symptoms. Your physician and other healthcare professionals can help you determine the best treatment plan for your symptoms.

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Treatments For Speech And Swallowing Difficulties

Speech and swallowing problems for people with PD also respond to exercise or strategies. A speech pathologist specialised in movement disorders such as PD can assess the persons speech and teach strategies to improve it.

Speech can be improved through particular exercises and programs such as the Lee Silverman Voice Therapy, Parkinson Voice Project SPEAK OUT!

Often identifying strategies to improve the communication environment or method can lead to more successful speech. Strategies and communication partner training can become invaluable to family and friends if a person with Parkinsons is experiencing cognitive changes which impact on communication such as word finding difficulties. Communication Devices such as amplifiers can help to increase volume and other devices or apps can be used when an alternative to speech is needed. Speech Pathologists can help guide you through what is available and potential avenues to help fund these aids.

Swallowing difficulties are more common in the later stages of PD and need to be investigated by a speech pathologist. Assessment may involve observing a meal or snack and completing an x-ray study call a videofluoroscopy. Once the reason for the dysphagia is identified the speech pathologist will advise on how to manage the difficulty. This may involve strengthening exercises for muscles involved in swallowing, modification to the diet and adaptive behavioural strategies such as improving head and neck posture.

Dbs And Other Parkinsons Surgeries

Deep Brain Stimulation , a well-known surgery for Parkinsons, helps manage some of the symptoms of Parkinsons disease. Without getting too technical, you can think of it like a pacemaker for the brain. The nerves in your brain communicate with each other through electrical impulses. Some of these brain electrical circuits are disrupted by Parkinsons they start to fire electrical impulses to each other at abnormal rhythms, causing miscommunication. During the DBS procedure, a neurosurgeon will insert very thin electrical wires into the brain that introduce electrical currents that reset brain circuits, similar to the way a heart pacemaker ensures that your heart beats at a healthier rhythm. Once the DBS is implanted, a neurologist will typically work with you over a series of visits to program the device to optimize control of your symptoms. This Parkinsons treatment is not right for everyone and should be discussed with your doctor. If you would like to learn more about DBS you can watch a video giving an overview of the subject by .

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When Should I See My Healthcare Provider Or When Should I Seek Care

You should see your healthcare provider as recommended, or if you notice changes in your symptoms or the effectiveness of your medication. Adjustments to medications and dosages can make a huge difference in how Parkinsons affects your life.

When should I go to ER?

Your healthcare provider can give you guidance and information on signs or symptoms that mean you should go to the hospital or seek medical care. In general, you should seek care if you fall, especially when you lose consciousness or might have an injury to your head, neck, chest, back or abdomen.

Surgical Therapies With Transplantation And Gene Therapy

Cell transplantation is regarded as a potential future PD treatment. There have been trials using autologous and non-autologous cells. Human embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells are few of the cells that have been included in these transplantation studies. One of the concerns with cell transplantation using stem cells is the ethical bounds that must be considered.

Since the first clinical trial in 1987 involving the transplantation of dopaminergic- neuron-rich human fetal mesencephalic tissue into PD patients striatums, more research has aimed to explore whether the grafted dopaminergic neurons will live and form connections in the brain, if the patients brain can harmonize and make use of the grafted neurons, and if the grafts can generate significant clinical improvement. Clinical trials with cell therapy intend to discover if there are long-lasting improvements following restoration of striatal DA transmission by grafted dopaminergic neurons. Experimental data from rodents and nonhuman primates show that fetal ventral mesencephalon intrastriatal grafted DA neurons demonstrate many morphological and functional characteristics of normal DA neurons. Significant improvements of PD-like symptoms in animal models have been demonstrated after successful reinnervation by the grafts. Dopaminergic grafts can reinnervate the striatum in the brain, restore regulated release of DA in the striatum, and can become functionally integrated into neural circuitries.

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Healthy Steps: Parkinson’s Diseasefull Program

A comprehensive program involves many areas in which action steps can be taken, gradually or all at once. You will be your own most valuable health manager. Some of the suggestions below include flexibility: balance gentleness and honesty with yourself!

Start by following the basic nutrition and healthy lifestyle guidelines, with the following modifications:

Therapy Services Nutrition And Wellness Plans

An integral part of Parkinsons disease treatment is ensuring that each patient receives all the support services they need to help manage the impact the disease has on their overall health and well-being.

Part of the multidisciplinary care provided at Brigham and Womens Hospital, many patients with Parkinsons disease also benefit from:

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Famous People With Parkinsons

PD is a disease that can affect anyone from the very wealthy to the very poor, and everything in between. It also does not spare celebrities. Here are just a few celebrities that are known to have Parkinsons:

Michael J. Fox

Fox was diagnosed with young-onset PD in 1991. He was just 29 years old. There isnt another person on the planet celebrity or otherwise that has done more to bring attention to PD and raise money for research than Fox. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research is an essential resource for anyone with the disease.

Muhammed Ali

The legendary boxer was 42 years old when he received his PD diagnosis in 1984. However, the public had noticed changes in Alis speech and speed in the late 1970s while he was still boxing he didnt retire from the ring until 1979.

Linda Ronstadt

Ronstadt was diagnosed with PD in 2013 when she was 67 years old, but she started having trouble with her singing voice 5 or 6 years before that. Even with numerous symptoms, she resisted seeing a neurologist for years and was shocked to receive her diagnosis.

Neil Diamond

The singer announced his PD diagnosis in January 2018 at age 77. Unlike Ronstadts symptoms, Diamonds voice has not been affected by PD. While he no longer tours, hes still singing and releasing albums.

Pope John Paul II

Alan Alda

Ozzy Osbourne

Osbourne was reportedly first diagnosed with PD in 2019 at age 70. His first symptoms included numbness in his arm, and feeling like his legs were cold.

Telemedicine Sensors And Mobile Apps

Given the difficulties some patients with PD have when it comes to traveling and planning office visits, the increasingly accepted field of telemedicine may offer a solution. Many patients have reported preferring telemedicine because they feel more at ease in the comfort of their own home. Remote medical communications in many forms can be especially valuable to patients with PD. However, remote communication requires tools in order to evaluate the patient who is not physically present at the office.

Some sensor modalities are biopotential-specific sensor units, such as electrocardiography and electromyography , motion sensor units, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes and environmental sensor units such as video cameras. Technology solutions to PD remote medical visits include remote tracking of medication use and assistive technologies that directly compensate for disease-related challenges. The same sensors will quantify the effectiveness of medication and rehabilitation therapies.

Smartphone apps designed for PD patients are now available to address different aspects of patients needs. These apps are mainly designed to record and track the data gathered by the sensors already available on most smartphones, such as memory games, finger tapping, speaking, and walking. Ahead is a short list of apps designed for those with Parkinsons disease:

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What Are Surgery Options For Parkinson’s Disease

Depending upon your needs, medical history, health, and symptoms, one of the following procedures may be considered for Parkinson’s disease:

There are many other procedures being researched. One of the most promising involves the transplantation of fetal dopamine neurons into the brains of people with Parkinson’s disease. The hope is that these cells will be able to re-grow the damaged dopamine-producing nerve cells.

About Parkinson Wellness Recovery

Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery® – PWR!® – is an individualized, functional skill retraining program that targets four motor control skills shown to deteriorate and adversely affect everyday movement for people with Parkinsons.

These 4 skills called PWR!Moves® can be practiced in isolation in multiple positions or built into tasks designed to improve a participants particular deficits in walking, balance, agility, endurance, dexterity, posture, and everyday activities. Our PWR!Moves® certified physical and occupational therapists apply Parkinson-specific teaching strategies to target multiple motor and cognitive symptoms, adapting for disease severity.Learn more here.

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Challenges Opportunities And New Directions

A major challenge regarding wider adoption of these tools may be the phones themselves, since many have been designed and manufactured for users with unimpaired dexterity and steady fine movements of the fingers. Individuals with PD face the same limitations while using a computer keyboard. Such challenges have been eased by the emergence of intelligent personal assistant software. IPA is a software agent that can perform tasks or services for an individual. These tasks or services are based on user input, location awareness, and the ability to access information from a variety of online sources. IPAs have made life easier in general but can be much more beneficial for people who are experiencing impaired motor abilities, such as those with PD.

Examples of such an agent are Apples Siri, Google Home, Google Now, Samsungs S Voice, LG G3s Voice Mate, and BlackBerrys Assistant. Some IPAs adapt to the users individual language and search preferences with continuing use, allowing for individualized results.

Desktop computers with keyboard and mouse are adjustable according to patients needs by using a voice control system. Other adaptive software is available that automatically smoothes the mouse cursor motion to reduce the effects of unsteady or tremulous hands. Additionally, desktop keyboards with oversized keys make typing easier for individuals with Parkinsons disease.

Education Regarding Parkinsons Disease And Managing Medications

A nurse with specialist training in PD can provide education and support to the person with PD and their caregiver. This may include:

• monitoring the effects of changes to PD medications as recommended by the neurologist and liaising with the neurologist
• providing education and support around the recommended PD medications and assist with the minimisation of side effects
• providing individualised education for the person with PD and their caregivers to ensure optimal understanding and management of the various PD symptoms as the condition progresses
• arranging referrals to other relevant health professionals within the specialist team

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Treatment For Parkinsons Disease

A multidisciplinary team that includes a neurologist and therapists who specialise in movement disorders is recommended for the management of the complex PD symptoms.

The appropriate multidisciplinary team members should be seen from the time the diagnosis of PD is received.

The advancement in the treatment options for PD over the last few decades has meant the progression of disabilities can be slowed and a good quality of life maintained. The following is an overview of current treatments that have good evidence to support their effectiveness.

A Better Understanding Of Parkinsons Disease

Even though we hear more and more about Parkinsons disease, it is sometimes difficult to fully understand it. Lets try to demystify it together. After all, a better understanding often leads to better help!

What is Parkinsons disease?

Parkinsons disease is a neurodegenerative disease. In other words, it is characterized by the progressive destruction of certain neurons in our brain. To be more precise, the destroyed neurons cause a decrease in dopamine. All of this has the consequence of affecting the proper control of movements. It is in this way that a progressive appearance of the main symptoms can be observed such as tremors, slowness of movements and rigidity.

Understanding the causes

The exact causes of Parkinsons disease are still unknown. However, research on this disease continues and tends to show that a combination of several factors could be involved in the development of Parkinsons.

Here is a small list of the risk factors identified:

Although there are forms of the disease that can affect young people, the likelihood of developing Parkinsons disease increases with age. Thus, people aged 60 and over are the most at risk. It is therefore best to remain vigilant when symptoms appear.

Diagnosing Parkinsons disease

Recognizing the symptoms of Parkinsons disease

Nevertheless, three main motor symptoms remain associated with Parkinsons disease

• tremors, mainly at rest
• and slowness of movement .

The situation in Quebec

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Loss Of Smell And Taste

Loss of smell can be a very early sign of Parkinsons disease sometimes it appears well before any movement symptoms, says Stahl. However, loss of smell doesnt mean you have Parkinsons disease it could be a number of other things, she says.

Loss of smell can go hand in hand with loss of taste, she says. When you have a cold or stuffy nose, you definitely dont taste as well. For some people with Parkinsons, this loss can translate into a loss of appetite or interest in eating, says Stahl.

Unfortunately, there are no medicines or good therapies to address this symptom, she says. Often we recommend trying to eat foods with as much flavor as possible that can increase the palatability of the food. Usually, the sense of smell isnt totally gone its just reduced and so that can help.

Spices such as turmeric, oregano, thyme, sage, cinnamon, and cloves, or flavorful sauces like barbecue sauce or chili garlic paste may give food an added boost that makes it more appetizing, according to the Brian Grant Foundation.

Support For People With Parkinsons Disease

Early access to a multidisciplinary support team is important. These teams may include doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, dietitians, social workers and specialist nurses.

Members of the team assess the person with Parkinsons disease and identify potential difficulties and possible solutions.

There are a limited number of multidisciplinary teams in Victoria that specialise in Parkinsons disease management. But generalist teams are becoming more aware of how to help people with Parkinsons disease.

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What Is Parkinsons Disease

Parkinsons disease is a chronic neurological disorder that affects the nervous system, particularly the substantia nigra, a deep midbrain structure that produces the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine projects to other nerve cells in the striatum within the brains hemispheres. When Parkinsons strikes, cells in the substantia nigra gradually die and project less and less dopamine to the striatum. Parkinsons also affects other areas of the brain and peripheral nervous system over time.

In addition to many other functions, dopamine enables the neurons in your brain to communicate and control movement throughout the body. Therefore, Parkinsons disease is a movement disorder since many of its chief symptoms affect movement. However, there are many non-motor symptoms associated with PD as well.

One of the hallmarks of Parkinsons disease is that no two patients experience the condition in the same way. Once youve seen one Parkinsons disease patient, youve seen one Parkinsons disease patient, says Jordan Harborth, a movement disorder specialist at Neurology Solutions. Not only are the symptoms very different with each patient, but the diseases overall progression is unique to each patient, too.

Support For People Living With Parkinsons Disease

While the progression of Parkinsons is usually slow, eventually a persons daily routines may be affected. Activities such as working, taking care of a home, and participating in social activities with friends may become challenging. Experiencing these changes can be difficult, but support groups can help people cope. These groups can provide information, advice, and connections to resources for those living with Parkinsons disease, their families, and caregivers. The organizations listed below can help people find local support groups and other resources in their communities.

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