Parkinson's Disease Support Group hears from special guest speaker from Texas

The Parkinsons Disease Support Group met Wednesday, May 14, at the Faulkner County Library. A large group attended this informative meeting with one new person in attendance.

Special guest speaker was Dr. Katie Hendley, movement disorder specialist with the Lubbock Diagnostic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas. She specializes in the treatment of Parkinsons disease patients. She gave a lengthy, easy-to-understand presentation about the different aspects of PD and made suggestions during her presentation.

The cause of Parkinsons disease is unknown, but it is a movement disorder where a vital chemical in the brain called dopamine is reduced. Without the right amount of dopamine, movement can be impaired. Researchers think that both genes and environment may play a role in the cause of Parkinsons disease.

Dr. Hendley discussed the motor and non-motor symptoms of PD. Examples of motor symptoms are tremors, shuffling feet, stiff limbs, stooping, and balance problems. Non-motor skills may include pain, sleep disturbance, slowed thinking, and depression. The physician will make a diagnosis based on a persons symptoms and his/her neurological examination since there are no laboratory tests or brain scan that can be used to diagnose PD.

A person should act early on to get help, as patients who are untreated have a lower quality of life than those who are treated. A person should work with his/her management team, which may include a primary care doctor, neurologist, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist, nurse, speech therapist, and support group.

Approaches to PD include:

1. Exercise. Exercise daily. Tai Chi, walking, water therapy, and music therapy were suggested exercises.

2. Eating right. Eating a well-balanced diet helps maintain health and strength. Dr. Hendley advised to take the medicine Levodopa one hour before or two hours after a high-protein meal.

3. Medications. Dr. Hendley discussed medications at length. Currently no medications are available that have been proven to slow the progression of PD. However, there are medications that can control the symptoms. Levodopa helps motor symptoms. There are other classes of medicines that work with Levodopa.

4. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). DBS is a non-drug treatment for PD. A person should have had PD for at least five years, have a robust response to Levodopa, and go through psychological testing.

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Parkinson's Disease Support Group hears from special guest speaker from Texas