Wendy Received Three Different Diagnosis
Shes no quitter. When one doctor didnt work, she sought another.
And another. And another.
From three doctors, she was diagnosed with:
- Ménières disease
- Low blood pressure
- The third doctor said her vertigo was caused by the medications she took for Ménières disease and low blood pressure.
Of course, these well-meaning professionals had no solutions.
And the medications she was prescribed only made the problem worse.
Whats The Outlook For People With Vascular Parkinsonism
Vascular Parkinsonism is a chronic condition, meaning it will always be with you. But unlike PD, it doesnt necessarily have to progress or worsen over time.
Symptoms of vascular Parkinsonism can remain steady for years if an individual maintains a healthy lifestyle and works closely with a healthcare professional to manage key risk factors. Still, because the condition is caused by vascular disease, those with vascular Parkinsonism are more likely to have cardiovascular issues, such as heart disease, that can reduce life expectancy.
While the life expectancy for someone with PD may be as long as for someone without the condition, the outlook for a person with Parkinsonism in any form isnt as encouraging. Compared to the general population, those with Parkinsonism tend to have a somewhat reduced life expectancy, especially if the condition sets in prior to age 70.
The Heart Of The Matter: Cardiovascular Effects Of Parkinsons Disease
It has long been understood that Parkinsons disease does not just cause movement symptoms, but also causes a litany of non-motor symptoms with effects throughout the body. One of the organ systems that is affected is the cardiac system, encompassing the heart, as well as the major and minor blood vessels. I received this topic as a suggestion from a blog reader and we will be discussing this important issue today. Please feel free to suggest your own blog topic.
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What Causes A Greater Risk Of Falling
While thinking about falling and balance problems, we usually have in mind an older person. While seniors are indeed most commonly treated for fall and balance problems, conditions such as dizziness, vertigo, and other vestibular issues often affect a younger audience. More and more young people are referred to physical therapy clinics for vestibular treatment and balance improvement programs because of complaints of inner ear disorders.
Still, elderly people are more prone to experience ailments such as dizziness and lack of balance than a younger generation. They also may develop long-term conditions that impact their gait and balance as well as, as time progresses, make it more difficult to exercise or even move. Therefore, they tend to stay more indoors which results in muscle weakening and joints issues. With lower exposure to sunshine, the vitamin D level slowly diminishes, increasing the risk of bones frail. Also, environmental factors such as poor lighting, clutter, loose carpets, and slick floors can jeopardize a seniors safety in their home. Activities with a high risk associated with them, for example climbing on a chair to get an object from a high shelf, are also mentioned as one of the most common reasons for falling.
RISK FACTORS FOR FALLS
Many medical conditions can affect balance and increase the risk of falling.
PARKINSONS DISEASE AND FALLING
FALL PREVENTION AND BALANCE PROGRAM
How Do I Take Care Of Myself
If you have Parkinsons disease, the best thing you can do is follow the guidance of your healthcare provider on how to take care of yourself.
- Take your medication as prescribed. Taking your medications can make a huge difference in the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. You should take your medications as prescribed and talk to your provider if you notice side effects or start to feel like your medications aren’t as effective.
- See your provider as recommended. Your healthcare provider will set up a schedule for you to see them. These visits are especially important to help with managing your conditions and finding the right medications and dosages.
- Dont ignore or avoid symptoms. Parkinsons disease can cause a wide range of symptoms, many of which are treatable by treating the condition or the symptoms themselves. Treatment can make a major difference in keeping symptoms from having worse effects.
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Equipment And Walking Aids
You might find that equipment can help you to walk, such as a walking stick or a rollator .
Before you start using a walking aid, it’s very important to get advice from a physiotherapist. Some walking aids aren’t recommended for people with Parkinsons as they can affect your walking pattern and make you more likely to fall. But, the correct walking aid can increase your confidence and help you to lift your feet better.
The Stakes Were Just Too High
Stakes like:
- The pain and suffering vertigo and dizziness causes good people like you.
- The lost quality of life in the years youre supposed to enjoy. Retirement is when you have the time and resources to reap the rewards of your work. Youre missing out on that.
- But most importantly, the risk of broken bones and brain damage after falling down and hitting your head.
I couldnt bear to let it go when I knew there was something I could do about it.
So I hope you wont be offended if I ask you to chip in a little bit.
Just a little.
But only chip in if the exercises treat your vertigo and dizziness.
But thats a side issue.
The main thing is that now you have a solid program to treat your vertigo and dizziness using the simple exercises we developed.
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What Are The Symptoms
The best-known symptoms of Parkinson’s disease involve loss of muscle control. However, experts now know that muscle control-related issues aren’t the only possible symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
Motor-related symptoms
Motor symptoms which means movement-related symptoms of Parkinsons disease include the following:
Additional motor symptoms can include:
- Blinking less often than usual. This is also a symptom of reduced control of facial muscles.
- Cramped or small handwriting. Known as micrographia, this happens because of muscle control problems.
- Drooling. Another symptom that happens because of loss of facial muscle control.
- Mask-like facial expression. Known as hypomimia, this means facial expressions change very little or not at all.
- Trouble swallowing . This happens with reduced throat muscle control. It increases the risk of problems like pneumonia or choking.
- Unusually soft speaking voice . This happens because of reduced muscle control in the throat and chest.
Non-motor symptoms
Several symptoms are possible that aren’t connected to movement and muscle control. In years past, experts believed non-motor symptoms were risk factors for this disease when seen before motor symptoms. However, theres a growing amount of evidence that these symptoms can appear in the earliest stages of the disease. That means these symptoms might be warning signs that start years or even decades before motor symptoms.
Non-motor symptoms include:
Stages of Parkinsons disease
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.
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No Money In The World Makes Up For That Right
I didnt think so.
It costs a lot to run a website like this, manage a diligent support team ready to answer your questions and get the word out about this solution.
Thats why Ive been advice to ask each successful participant to chip in $500.
In fact, my accountant told me just to break even I couldnt give this Vertigo and Dizziness Program away for less than $300.
Anything less than that is a loss.
How Is Orthostatic Hypotension Treated
Droxidopa . fludrocortisone , or midodrine capsules are approved for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, nausea, high blood pressure, and fatigue.
Another approach in treating orthostatic hypotension is to decrease the pooling of blood in the legs with the use of special stockings called compression stockings. These tight stockings compress the veins in the legs, helping to reduce swelling and increase blood flow. There are a number of companies that make these stockings in a wide variety of sizes, and they usually can be found at stores that sell medical supplies, as well as at some pharmacies.
You should wear these stockings when you are up and about. You do not need to wear them when you are in bed. Further, it is recommended that you put the stockings on first thing in the morning while in bed and before getting up for your daily activities. It is important that you do not let the stockings bunch, gather, or roll, since this can compress the veins too much and could harm circulation. You should always watch for signs of decreased circulation, which could include discoloration of the skin, as well as pain or cramping, and numbness of the lower legs and feet.
Show Sources
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Falls And Parkinson’s Disease
A loss of balance often resulting in falling affects many with Parkinsons. This is due in part to general motor dysfunction caused by the disorder. Falling can depend on each persons symptoms and how they respond to medication. This should be monitored for any pattern noted at the time of these changes or fluctuations.5 Syncope is one of the most commonly overlooked causes of dizziness in people with Parkinsons.2
Parkinsons Disease Symptoms Everyone Should Know
Parkinsons disease symptoms can include tremor and trouble with movement, along with emotional and cognitive changes.
Parkinsons disease symptoms can vary significantly from person to person. Some people may have range of motor symptoms, like tremor, stiffness, and slow movements. Others may also experience the non-motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease, such as anxiety, cognitive changes, and loss of smell.
It has to do with a chemical messenger known as dopamine, which plays a role in the brains ability to control movement, coordination, and emotional responses. In Parkinsons disease, the brain cells that produce dopamine either stop doing their job or they die out, resulting in both motor and non-motor symptoms. Its not always easy to tell if someone you care about has Parkinsons disease. Lets take a closer look at the symptoms of the disease and signs that someone should make an appointment with their doctor.
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How Parkinsons Disease Affects The Autonomic Nervous System And The Heart
In PD, there are two major reasons why the automatic control of the cardiac system is impaired. First, areas of the brain that control this system often contain Lewy bodies and have undergone neurodegeneration. In addition, the autonomic nervous system itself is directly affected by Lewy body-like accumulations and neurodegeneration. This means, when the baroreceptors in the heart and carotid artery sense a drop in blood pressure and try to generate a signal to the heart and blood vessels to increase the blood pressure, the message may not get through. This results in neurogenic orthostatic hypotension , or drops in blood pressure upon standing due to autonomic nervous system dysfunction. There are no medications that can cure nOH by restoring the autonomic nervous system in PD. nOH however, can be treated. Read more about nOH and its treatments here.
Structural problems of the heart such as coronary artery disease or cardiomyopathy are not thought to be part of the pathology of PD, although of course, could co-exist with PD.
What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinsons disease is a nervous system disease that affects your ability to control movement. The disease usually starts out slowly and worsens over time. If you have Parkinsons disease, you may shake, have muscle stiffness, and have trouble walking and maintaining your balance and coordination. As the disease worsens, you may have trouble talking, sleeping, have mental and memory problems, experience behavioral changes and have other symptoms.
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Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
This is a sudden onset of vertigo, lasting only a few seconds, typically after a sudden head movement such as turning in bed. Research reveals BPPV may occur in 11% of people with Parkinson’s who experience dizziness and becomes more common with age. It can be diagnosed using an in-office assessment called the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. Your doctor, or a physical therapist who is an expert in vestibular rehabilitation can offer treatment options or teach you the Semont maneuvers, a series of simple movements to self-administer at home.
What Medications And Treatments Are Used
Medication treatments for Parkinsons disease fall into two categories: Direct treatments and symptom treatments. Direct treatments target Parkinsons itself. Symptom treatments only treat certain effects of the disease.
Medications
Medications that treat Parkinsons disease do so in multiple ways. Because of that, drugs that do one or more of the following are most likely:
Several medications treat specific symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Symptoms treated often include the following:
- Erectile and sexual dysfunction.
- Hallucinations and other psychosis symptoms.
Deep brain stimulation
In years past, surgery was an option to intentionally damage and scar a part of your brain that was malfunctioning because of Parkinsons disease. Today, that same effect is possible using deep-brain stimulation, which uses an implanted device to deliver a mild electrical current to those same areas.
The major advantage is that deep-brain stimulation is reversible, while intentional scarring damage is not. This treatment approach is almost always an option in later stages of Parkinson’s disease when levodopa therapy becomes less effective, and in people who have tremor that doesnt seem to respond to the usual medications.
Experimental treatments
Researchers are exploring other possible treatments that could help with Parkinsons disease. While these arent widely available, they do offer hope to people with this condition. Some of the experimental treatment approaches include:
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Pd Community Blogread Blog
How can I prevent dizziness?
Tuesday September 04, 2012
Dizziness can have multiple causes in Parkinsons. Most common, is low blood pressure, specifically a drop in blood pressure with standing a condition caused orthostatic hypotension. People of use the term dizziness to describe many different problems. The term dizziness is also used to describe a sense of imbalance when standing or walking, vertigo or sense of motion caused by inner ear or vestibular problems and a lack of mental clarity.
Low blood pressure can cause dizziness, passing out, fatigue, walking problems, and thinking problems.
Dizziness due to orthostatic hypotension can be treated. Most of these treatments work by increasing the volume of blood in your circulatory system, increasing blood pressure and optimizing heart function.
Monique L. Giroux, MD
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You Can Be 100% Vertigo And Dizziness
Within minutes, you can walk around without losing balance or feeling dizzy.
You can drive without worrying about harming yourself and others. Take your grandchildren out for a ride.
But most importantly, you can be around people without acting oddly.
Without becoming pale and distant as you go into a dizzy spell.
You can play with your grandchildren and spend quality time with your spouse and family.
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Is Parkinsons Disease Inherited
Scientists have discovered gene mutations that are associated with Parkinsons disease.
There is some belief that some cases of early-onset Parkinsons disease disease starting before age 50 may be inherited. Scientists identified a gene mutation in people with Parkinsons disease whose brains contain Lewy bodies, which are clumps of the protein alpha-synuclein. Scientists are trying to understand the function of this protein and its relationship to genetic mutations that are sometimes seen in Parkinsons disease and in people with a type of dementia called Lewy body dementia.
Several other gene mutations have been found to play a role in Parkinsons disease. Mutations in these genes cause abnormal cell functioning, which affects the nerve cells ability to release dopamine and causes nerve cell death. Researchers are still trying to discover what causes these genes to mutate in order to understand how gene mutations influence the development of Parkinsons disease.
Scientists think that about 10% to 15% of persons with Parkinsons disease may have a genetic mutation that predisposes them to development of the disease. There are also environmental factors involved that are not fully understood.
These Are All Symptoms Of Vertigo
The exact problem the medications are supposed to heal.
Ironic, right?
Its crazy to take a drug for diseases and then have the side effects create the exact same symptoms.
This is not made up. The above list is taken directly from WebMD.
As much as the medical system would like to cash in on costly, cutting-edge surgeries, these operations are almost always useless.
More importantly, its scary to learn how often these surgeries lead to serious hearing loss , damage to the inner ear, infection and other complications.
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What Should I Know About Storage And Disposal Of This Medication
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture .
Store cassettes containing levodopa and carbidopa enteral suspension in the refrigerator in their original carton, protected from light. Do not freeze the suspension.
Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.
It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location â one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach.