Can You Tell Me About Parkinsons

Parkinsons is defined as a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by tremor and impaired muscular coordination. It is named after Dr James Parkinson (1755-1824), the London doctor who first identified Parkinson's as a specific condition.

Parkinson's has three main symptoms:

1. Muscular rigidity or stiffness is a common early sign in untreated people with Parkinson's.
   
2. Tremor usually begins in one hand or arm and is more likely to occur when the part of the body affected is at rest and often becomes more noticeable when a person with Parkinson's is anxious or excited. About 70% of people with Parkinson's have a tremor and it is slightly less common in younger people with Parkinson's.
   
3. Bradykinesia means slowness of movement. People with Parkinson's often find that initiating movements becomes more difficult or that it takes them longer to perform movements.
   

As well as these three main symptoms, people with Parkinson's may experience other symptoms, such as tiredness, depression, difficulties with handwriting and other forms of communication such as speech and facial expression, and balance.

We have researched a number of topics relating to Parkinsons Disease. Firstly we give Advice for People Caring with Parkinson’s Patients Dealing with the long-term degenerative effects of, and the potential loss of independence that may result from Parkinson’s disease can be emotionally and physically draining for the person with the disorder, but also for the family or caregivers of Parkinson’s patients.

Don’t forget to take care of yourself while taking care of your loved one. It’s easy to get so wrapped up in looking after someone else that your own needs get overlooked. Parkinson’s affects mobility, and older people in particular may not be able to traverse their homes or function as easily as they once did. Look for ways to increase safety and help the person with Parkinson’s maintain their independence.

Eat well and get exercise daily. This will be beneficial to both caregiver and care recipient. Exercise need not be strenuous to be effective. Walking, stretching, or water exercises are excellent strength and mobility builders. Parkinson’s patients should also engage in facial and jaw exercises to stimulate muscle movement there.

Take advantage of respite care when available. Care giving is often a 24/7 job. It is important to take a break once in a while. For more advise visit our article on Advise for Caregivers of Parkinsons Patients

Depression is a real issue after a Parkinson’s Diagnosis. There is a strong link between mental health and Parkinson’s disease, with dementia often settling in later stages of the disease. Depression is a serious condition that can interfere with everyday functioning, and in severe cases, can even lead to isolation, self-mutilation or suicide.

Differences in the symptom profile for people with Parkinson’s as opposed to those who do not may include:

• Higher rates of anxiety
• Sadness without guilt or self-blame

Frequent occurrences of suicidal thoughts but with fewer actual suicides.

By encouraging communication between neurologist and psychiatrist, potential medication interference can be avoided and best possible mental and physical health achieved more quickly. No matter the stage of Parkinson’s a person might be experiencing, there is a treatment for depression that can be incorporated into his or her overall health treatment plan without compromising the efficacy of either program.

It may also be comforting to consult with other people who have the disease and who have learned to live with it. Worldwide, there are national, regional and local associations dedicated to Parkinson’s disease research, education and helping people cope with it. For more information visit Depression and Parkinsons

The Psychology of Living with Parkinson’s Disease. Living with Parkinson’s disease can take its toll on a person not just physically but psychologically as well. Feeling anxious, angry, discouraged or downright depressed is common as the brain is undergoing a number of chemical changes. Approximately 40-70 percent of Parkinson’s sufferers experience bouts of depression while 20 percent of these are considered a major depressive disorder.

It is important to learn all that you possibly can about the disease, including your prognosis, the options for treatment, lifestyle changes that might be necessary and possible side effects. Patients need to take a proactive role in their own life by taking control of their treatment and making decisions for themselves.

Many people can still work at full or part time jobs but must learn to approach their jobs differently. Break your job down into parts or tasks in order not to become exhausted or overwhelmed by the work at hand. Devise a schedule whereby the most challenging tasks are done when your symptoms are not at their worst. For more details visit the Psychology of Living with Parkinsons

Can Diet and Exercise Really Slow down the effects of Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is an age-related, progressive, neurodegenerative illness that affects about one in every one hundred people over the age of 50. The disease is related to the loss of dopamine-producing cells in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra. A natural chemical, dopamine acts as a liaison or communication tool between the brain cells that control body movement and function. According to experts in the health care field, about 80 percent of dopamine-producing cells have already been affected by the time a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease is made in most patients. Symptoms and the severity of the progression of the disease are unique to each person, and therefore, so are the therapeutic options.

With early diagnosis and intervention, many people with Parkinson’s disease can function virtually normally and independently. Natural therapeutic alternatives, such as utilizing a specialized diet and exercise program, are attractive to many people who want to complement their medical treatments with overall good health. As with any person starting a new diet or exercise program, it is wise for a person with Parkinson’s disease to check in with his or her doctor before beginning.

The bottom line is that neither medical options nor good diet and exercise can cure Parkinson’s, but they can certainly make dealing with the illness much more bearable. Click for more information on Diet, Exercise and Parkinsons

Does Family Health History Play a Part in Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a central nervous system disorder that results from a loss of cells in the substantia nigra section of the brain, where the chemical dopamine is produced. A progressive condition that affects balance and movement and that gets worse with age, it is estimated that Parkinson’s disease affects about one percent of people over the age of 50.
Parkinson’s disease attacks both men and women. Most of the people who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease are over the age of 50, but about five percent of Parkinson’s sufferers are young-onset cases under the age of 40.

Parkinson’s disease may appear more than once in the same family without the condition actually being inherited. Because the causes of Parkinson’s remain unclear, it is possible that environmental contributors may also play a role instead of or in addition to genetics. Information on Family Health History and Parkinsons