Category Archives: Parkinson’s Treatment

These are quick tips to work on with your doctor in case of acute worrisome hallucinations and psychosis in the setting of Parkinsons disease: Psychosis in Parkinsons disease generally comes in two forms: hallucinations (when patients see or hear or feel things that arent really there) or delusions (which are fixed false beliefs). When hallucinations occur, they are mostly visual (usually these are non-threatening, and patients mostly see small people or animals, or loved ones who have already died, not interacting with them but doing their own thing) (Zahodne and Fernandez 2008a; Zahodne and Fernandez 2008b; Fernandez 2008; Fernandez et al 2008; Friedman and Fernandez 2000). Sometimes, they can be threatening, but this is less common. Auditory hallucinations (more commonly seen in schizophrenia) are rare in Parkinsons disease and if they do occur, they are usually accompanied by visual hallucinations. Delusions are usually of a common theme, typically of spousal infidelity. Other themes are often paranoid in nature (such as thinking that people are out to steal from ones belongings, or to harm or place poison on their food, or substitute their Parkinson medications, etc.) Because they are paranoid in nature, they can be more threatening and more immediate action … Continue reading →

Stephanie Puckett Stephanie Puckett has been writing for five years, primarily as a ghost writer for travel magazines and newspapers. She is currently working on her first novel, which will be published after its completion. Her future plans are to attend college for nursing and journalism. Parkinson's disease is a chronic condition that causes shaking and tremors in the limbs. This condition can seriously impair one's ability to function in everyday activities. People with Parkinson's disease are often affected in different ways with varied symptoms. Parkinson's is a movement disorder that progresses over time,... Since its identification in 1817, Parkinson's disease has impacted many and continues to destroy lives today. Here is some information about the... You May Also Like. Symptoms of Parkinson's. Parkinson's is a neurological and chronic illness that causes debilitating symptoms, and these symptoms become... Parkinson's disease is a medical condition affecting the brain, according to the National Parkinson Foundation (NPF). The disease targets neurons in the... What Are the Causes & Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease? Since its identification in 1817, Parkinson's disease has impacted many and continues to... In the early stages of Parkinson's disease, ... Treatment. There are several medications for Parkinson's disease, which reduce … Continue reading →

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New Parkinson's Treatment Improves Mobility for Patients A promising new Parkinson's treatment offers improvement in quality of life for people suffering this debilitating condition. A wearable device delivers a continuous flow of medication to... By: Everyday Health … Continue reading →

Parkinson's disease is a progressive nervous system (neurological) disorder that affects your movement and may cause shaking (tremor), muscle stiffness (rigidity), slowing of movement (bradykinesia), impaired balance or other symptoms. Parkinson's disease is a common movement disorder. Parkinsonism describes a group of conditions that has symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease. Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is ranked among the Best Hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. Mayo Clinic in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., are ranked high performing for neurology and neurosurgery by U.S. News & World Report. At Mayo Clinic, we assemble a team of specialists who take the time to listen and thoroughly understand your health issues and concerns. We tailor the care you receive to your personal health care needs. You can trust our specialists to collaborate and offer you the best possible outcomes, safety and service. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit medical institution that reinvests all earnings into improving medical practice, research and education. We're constantly involved in innovation and medical research, finding solutions to improve your care and quality of life. Your doctor or someone on your medical team is likely involved in research related … Continue reading →

Our weekly general interest e-newsletter keeps you up to date on a wide variety of health topics. Parkinson's disease can't be cured, but medications can help control your symptoms, often dramatically. In some later cases, surgery may be advised. Your doctor also may recommend lifestyle changes, especially ongoing aerobic exercise. In some cases physical therapy that focuses on balance and stretching also is important. MedicationsMedications can help you manage problems with walking, movement and tremor by increasing your brain's supply of dopamine. However, dopamine can't be given directly, as it can't enter your brain. You may have significant improvement of your symptoms after beginning Parkinson's disease treatment. Over time, however, the benefits of drugs frequently diminish or become less consistent, although symptoms usually can continue to be fairly well controlled. Your doctor may prescribe medications, which may include: Carbidopa-levodopa (Parcopa). Levodopa, the most effective Parkinson's disease medication, is a natural chemical that passes into your brain and is converted to dopamine. Levodopa is combined with carbidopa, which protects levodopa from premature conversion to dopamine outside your brain, which prevents nausea. In Europe, levodopa is combined with a similar substance, benserazide (Madopar). Side effects include nausea or a drop in blood … Continue reading →

No known treatment can stop or reverse the breakdown of nerve cells that causes Parkinson's disease. But drugs can relieve many symptoms of the disease. Surgery also can be effective in a small number of people to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Treatment is different for every person, and the type of treatment you will need may change as the disease progresses. Your age, work status, family, and living situation can all affect decisions about when to begin treatment, what types of treatment to use, and when to make changes in treatment. As your medical condition changes, you may need regular adjustments in your treatment to balance quality-of-life issues, side effects of treatment, and treatment costs. Parkinson's Disease Important It is possible that the main title of the report Parkinson's Disease is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report. Read the Parkinson's Disease article > > Parkinson's disease causes a wide range of symptoms and complications. This topic covers the overall management of the disease. This topic does not discuss managing specific symptoms. If your symptoms are mild, you may not need treatment for Parkinson's … Continue reading →

Parkinsons disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system characterized by different neurological disturbances related to motor skills, balance, psychoemotional disturbances, cognitive impairment and social behavioral disorders. PD is a progressive disorder: with time the condition of the sufferer tends to gradually aggravate. PD incidence doesnt depend on sex or race, social status or place of residence. Despite the prevailing opinion that PK is a disorder involving elderly people, the average age of PD diagnosis is 57 years. However, 10% of the diseased are people under 40. With the increase of life span and average age of the population the incidence of PD is expected to rise. The symptoms of PD mainly result from degeneration of dopaminergic neurons neurons of the brain that produce and accumulate dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter, i.e. chemical serving to relay electric impulses from neurons, and a hormone. Dopamine deficit results in impaired transmission of nervous impulses, thus causing such distinctive PD symptoms as tremor of hands and legs, jaws, facial muscles, slowed movements, muscle stiffness, difficulties to initiate a movement and keep balance. Losing expressed mimicry, PD patients can seem apathic (indifferent). Speech can become slurred and monotonous. Other PD symptoms … Continue reading →

Only in the last 30 years have dramatic breakthroughs been made in the management of Parkinson's disease. Current treatment can significantly relieve people's symptoms and markedly improve their quality of life. Treatment Options Treatment for Parkinson's disease may include any or all of the following: The first stage of treatment for Parkinson's is an accurate diagnosis. This is tricky, as we have noted, particularly early in the disorder when distinguishing Parkinson's disease from other diseases with similar symptoms is particularly difficult. It may be helpful to see a neurologist who is experienced with what are called movement disorders. A movement disorder specialist has expertise in diagnosing and treating Parkinson's disease and related disorders. A visit to a movement disorder center may also be useful. Most such centers are connected with a department of neurology at a medical school, although some are freestanding clinics. The centers have access to appropriate rehabilitation facilities and are usually involved in research studies. The Maryland Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center is such a center. For more information about the University Physicians Consultation and Referral Service, please call 1-800-492-5538 (patients) or 1-800-373-4111 (physicians). This page was last updated: May 24, 2013 See the article here: … Continue reading →

Treatment for Parkinson's Disease (PD), due to its chronic nature, requires broad-based management including patient and family education, support group services, general wellness maintenance, exercise, and nutrition. At present, there is no cure for PD, but medications or surgery can provide relief from the symptoms. While many medications treat Parkinson's, none actually reverse the effects of the disease or cure it. Furthermore, the gold standard treatment varies with the disease state. People with Parkinson's therefore often must take a variety of medications to manage the disease's symptoms.[1] Several medications currently in development seek to better address motor fluctuations and nonmotor symptoms of PD. However, none are yet on the market with specific approval to treat Parkinson's.[2] The main families of drugs useful for treating motor symptoms are Levodopa, dopamine agonists and MAO-B inhibitors.[3] The most commonly used treatment approach varies depending on the disease stage. Two phases are usually distinguished: an initial phase in which the individual with PD has already developed some disability for which he needs pharmacological treatment, and a second stage in which the patient develops motor complications related to levodopa usage.[3] Treatment in the initial state aims to attain an optimal tradeoff between good management of … Continue reading →