Understanding Parkinson's Disease: Symptoms, Risk Factors, Treatments

If you or a loved one has been recently diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, you probably have many questions. While the disease affects each person differently, this overview will help you better understand the symptoms and treatments.

Parkinson's is a disease that stops nerves from working properly in the part of the brain that controls muscle movement. The disease causes trembling and stiffness in arms and legs and affects movement, balance, and coordination.

The symptoms can make simple tasks, such as brushing your teeth or pouring a glass of milk, difficult. People with Parkinson's also frequently report trouble sleeping.

Men are more likely to get Parkinson's, and symptoms usually appear after age 60, according to the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms may be mild at first but are likely to get worse over time. The cause is still unknown, although scientists theorize that genetics or environment may play a role.

Confronting the diagnosis head-on, getting started on treatment, and making the necessary lifestyle changes will make living with Parkinson's disease easier, say experts.

While there is no cure yet, medications can alleviate some of the symptoms. In addition, some people with Parkinson's find that other forms of treatment, such as massage, acupuncture, or vitamin supplements, make them feel better.

Although scientists have not found a cure or way to prevent the onset of this disease, multiple foundations for Parkinson's research exist. Perhaps one of the most well known is the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, named for the actor. Fox has turned his disease into a cause, testifying before Congress and traveling throughout the country.

Fox may be proof that you can accept that the disease--and its symptoms--are here to stay, while still remaining active. Of course, the adjustments will take time, so assess what is important about your lifestyle and what you can discard or modify.

Most assuredly, experts say, expect changes in your lifestyle. Because Parkinson's disease affects everyone differently, it's difficult to predict how quickly--or slowly--it will progress for you. For instance, hobbies that you used to do with relative ease may become more difficult, but you could switch to another one that doesn't tax your resources and is as enjoyable and relaxing.

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Living With Parkinson's Disease

Accepting that you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease is a process. Learn more about the steps most people go through, and what adjustments to expect at home and at work.

It's normal to feel overwhelmed and anxious after learning that you've been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Most people with Parkinson's go through a similar acceptance process following their diagnosis.

It begins with denial and is often followed by helplessness, then anger, and then withdrawing from family and friends, before finally reaching acceptance. Going from being a well individual to someone with a chronic, progressive disease is a major transition, says the National Parkinson Foundation.

Some Parkinson's patients may avoid going to the doctor for follow-up appointments or refuse to take their medication, almost as if they are hoping the diagnosis was wrong.

It may help to seek a second opinion. If you decide to do so, look for a physician who specializes in neurological diseases, such as a neurologist or a movement disorders specialist, who focuses on treating diseases like Parkinson's.

Parkinson's not only afflicts people with the disease, but their spouses, children, and friends, all of whom, must make adjustments in their lives, too. The future is cloudy to the entire family. Spouses may worry about finances and their increased care-giving role.

Experts strongly suggest that patients involve their spouses and other family members so they can understand the disease and its progression and when they may need to take on roles the patients once performed.

You and your family may need to get help with housekeeping, shopping, and yard work. Don't be afraid to have a close friend or family member come with you to doctor's appointments; it will help them better understand the disease, too.

Know that you're not alone. Parkinson's affects an estimated 1.5 million Americans, and one of the best things you and your loved ones can do is find a support group. You and your family may find comfort by meeting people facing similar issues and challenges.

Look for a group that best meets your needs: Do they meet close to your home? Is it a large or small group? Do they bring in experts to talk about coping with Parkinson's? Do you enjoy being around the people? Internet support groups can be helpful, too.

Other people in your support group may be able to offer suggestions for choosing a doctor or other health specialist (such as an occupational therapist to help continue to do daily activities), what to expect when using devices like canes and wheelchairs, and possible side effects of common medications.

People with Parkinson's are often concerned with how the disease will interfere with their work and subsequent ability to earn a living.

At first, you may not need to make significant changes at your job, but as the disease progresses, you should take stock of what you can do and make adjustments. Eventually, you'll have to face whether you can continue in the job at the same level or in a diminished role, if your employer is willing to make adjustments. Your ability to do your job will depend on the progression of the disease and the type of work you do.

At more advanced stages, Parkinson's disease is considered a disability, and the federal Americans with Disabilities Act entitles all qualified individuals the right to a job, regardless of disability. It also requires reasonable accommodations for a disabled worker, which could include adjusting work schedules or assignments, or workplace modifications for equipment and devices.

If you seek a new job after you're diagnosed, the law prohibits employers from asking about your health until after you've been offered the job and only if it affects specific performance.

You and your family may also want to decide if applying for government disability programs is right for you. Disability benefits are available for people who recently held a job but are no longer capable of working.

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The Link between Depression and Parkinson's Disease

Depression is common in people who have Parkinson's disease, a slow, progressive, and chronic neurodegenerative brain disease. Actor Michael J. Fox put a public face on this disease and many of us have seen him exhibit some of the trademark Parkinson's symptoms, such as shaking, tremors, slow movements, and stiffness or rigidity in the arms, legs, or trunk. Parkinson's disease also affects balance, speech, and smell.

Forty to 50 percent of Parkinson's patients also suffer from depression. Not only does it cause poorer quality of life for patients, depression is associated with faster progression of physical symptoms and greater cognitive decline. It's difficult to diagnose depression in Parkinson's patients; the symptoms often overlap and depressive symptoms can occur in Parkinson's patients who don't have depression. Furthermore, this disease affects the muscles of the face, so Parkinson's patients appear to express less emotion and they have trouble recognizing emotion in themselves.

It's understandable that someone with a chronic disease would experience depression. However, many patients suffer from depression or anxiety two to five years before they are diagnosed with Parkinson's, leading scientists to suspect depression is actually part of the disease. Regions of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease overlap with areas involved in depression.

It's important to recognize symptoms of depression so you can seek help. Depressed individuals lose interest in pleasurable activities; have poor attention and concentration; low energy; suicidal thoughts; and experience feelings of self-blame, worthlessness, and guilt.

Fortunately, many treatments for depression are also effective in patients who have Parkinson's disease.

Antidepressants. In addition to current antidepressants, scientists are conducting clinical trials on new medications to treat depression.

Psychological treatments. Studies show that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may be as effective as antidepressants for treating depression in Parkinson's patients, and may even be better for preventing a relapse. It's a good alternative for people who can't, or don't want to, take antidepressants.

Healthy lifestyle. Research shows that exercising, eating healthy, and staying socially connected alleviates depressive symptoms.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). ECT is one of the most effective treatments for severe or non-responsive depression and it temporarily improves Parkinson's motor control symptoms.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Repetitive TMS over a part of the brain involved in depression and cognitive function has antidepressant effects in patients with Parkinson's. Best of all, TMS has few side effects.

Alternative treatments. Many patients find relief from light or music therapy, relaxation techniques, massage, acupuncture, and meditation.

Sources

Parkinson's Disease Foundation. "Depression." Web. http://www.pdf.org/en/depression_pd

Menza, Matthew, M.D. "Combating Depression in Parkinson's Disease." PDF News & Review Spring 2009. Web. http://www.pdf.org/en/combating_depression

Tom, T., and Cummings, J.L. "Depression in Parkinson's disease: Pharmacological characteristics and treatment." Drugs Aging 12(1) (1998): 55-74. Web. http://biopsychiatry.com/parkdepr.htm

National Parkinson Foundation. "PD 101." Web. https://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/PD-101

National Parkinson Foundation. "Depression." Web.

https://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/Living-Well/Depression

DeFronzo Dobkin, Roseanne, Ph.D., Menza, Matthew, MD, and Bienfait, Karina L., PhD. "CBT for the Treatment of Depression in Parkinson's Disease: A Promising Nonpharmacological Approach." Expert Review of Neurotherapy 8(1) (2008): 27-35. Medscape Medical News. Web. 15 April 2008. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/571634

Brooks, Megan. "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Helpful in Parkinsonian Depression." Medscape Medical News. Web. 2 September 2010. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/728002

Busko, Marlene. "Depression Common But Often Untreated in Early Parkinson's Disease." Medscape Medical News. Web. 17 July 2007. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/559919

View the original article here

The Link between Depression and Parkinson's Disease

Depression is common in people who have Parkinson's disease, a slow, progressive, and chronic neurodegenerative brain disease. Actor Michael J. Fox put a public face on this disease and many of us have seen him exhibit some of the trademark Parkinson's symptoms, such as shaking, tremors, slow movements, and stiffness or rigidity in the arms, legs, or trunk. Parkinson's disease also affects balance, speech, and smell.

Forty to 50 percent of Parkinson's patients also suffer from depression. Not only does it cause poorer quality of life for patients, depression is associated with faster progression of physical symptoms and greater cognitive decline. It's difficult to diagnose depression in Parkinson's patients; the symptoms often overlap and depressive symptoms can occur in Parkinson's patients who don't have depression. Furthermore, this disease affects the muscles of the face, so Parkinson's patients appear to express less emotion and they have trouble recognizing emotion in themselves.

It's understandable that someone with a chronic disease would experience depression. However, many patients suffer from depression or anxiety two to five years before they are diagnosed with Parkinson's, leading scientists to suspect depression is actually part of the disease. Regions of the brain affected by Parkinson's disease overlap with areas involved in depression.

It's important to recognize symptoms of depression so you can seek help. Depressed individuals lose interest in pleasurable activities; have poor attention and concentration; low energy; suicidal thoughts; and experience feelings of self-blame, worthlessness, and guilt.

Fortunately, many treatments for depression are also effective in patients who have Parkinson's disease.

Antidepressants. In addition to current antidepressants, scientists are conducting clinical trials on new medications to treat depression.

Psychological treatments. Studies show that Cognitive Behavioral Therapy may be as effective as antidepressants for treating depression in Parkinson's patients, and may even be better for preventing a relapse. It's a good alternative for people who can't, or don't want to, take antidepressants.

Healthy lifestyle. Research shows that exercising, eating healthy, and staying socially connected alleviates depressive symptoms.

Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). ECT is one of the most effective treatments for severe or non-responsive depression and it temporarily improves Parkinson's motor control symptoms.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Repetitive TMS over a part of the brain involved in depression and cognitive function has antidepressant effects in patients with Parkinson's. Best of all, TMS has few side effects.

Alternative treatments. Many patients find relief from light or music therapy, relaxation techniques, massage, acupuncture, and meditation.

Sources

Parkinson's Disease Foundation. "Depression." Web. http://www.pdf.org/en/depression_pd

Menza, Matthew, M.D. "Combating Depression in Parkinson's Disease." PDF News & Review Spring 2009. Web. http://www.pdf.org/en/combating_depression

Tom, T., and Cummings, J.L. "Depression in Parkinson's disease: Pharmacological characteristics and treatment." Drugs Aging 12(1) (1998): 55-74. Web. http://biopsychiatry.com/parkdepr.htm

National Parkinson Foundation. "PD 101." Web. https://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/PD-101

National Parkinson Foundation. "Depression." Web.

https://www.parkinson.org/Parkinson-s-Disease/Living-Well/Depression

DeFronzo Dobkin, Roseanne, Ph.D., Menza, Matthew, MD, and Bienfait, Karina L., PhD. "CBT for the Treatment of Depression in Parkinson's Disease: A Promising Nonpharmacological Approach." Expert Review of Neurotherapy 8(1) (2008): 27-35. Medscape Medical News. Web. 15 April 2008. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/571634

Brooks, Megan. "Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation Helpful in Parkinsonian Depression." Medscape Medical News. Web. 2 September 2010. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/728002

Busko, Marlene. "Depression Common But Often Untreated in Early Parkinson's Disease." Medscape Medical News. Web. 17 July 2007. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/559919

View the original article here

Berry Eaters Less Likely To Get Parkinson's Disease

Berry Eaters Less Likely To Get Parkinson's Disease

Berries are better.

ST. PAUL, Minn. ?New research shows men and women who regularly eat berries may have a lower risk of developing Parkinson's disease, while men may also further lower their risk by regularly eating apples, oranges and other sources rich in dietary components called flavonoids. The study was released today and will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 63rd Annual Meeting in Honolulu April 9 to April 16, 2011.

Flavonoids are found in plants and fruits and are also known collectively as vitamin P and citrin. They can also be found in berry fruits, chocolate, and citrus fruits such as grapefruit.

The study involved 49,281 men and 80,336 women. Researchers gave participants questionnaires and used a database to calculate intake amount of flavonoids. They then analyzed the association between flavonoid intakes and risk of developing Parkinson's disease. They also analyzed consumption of five major sources of foods rich in flavonoids: tea, berries, apples, red wine and oranges or orange juice. The participants were followed for 20 to 22 years.

Rise out of the ranks of the low berry consumers. Get bags of cranberries or frozen blueberries or even fresh berries when they are available.

Note the reference to anthocyanins. Those are the sugar-containing equivalents of anthocyanidins. If you aim for foods high in anthocyanins or anthocyanidins or related compounds you end up eating mostly the same foods. Proanthocyanidins (a.k.a. procyanidins) are polymers of flavonoids. In a previous post I pointed to a proanthocyanidin database (in PDF format). You can browse thru the document to look for food ideas aimed at boosting your flavonoid intake.

That USDA Procyanidin Database makes for interesting reading (at least to me). Raw pinto beans are up there with unsweetened chocolate in terms of procyanidin antioxidants and you can eat a lot more pinto beans than chocolate. But cooked pinto beans have about 2 orders of magnitude less of the good stuff. Is that accurate? Blueberries and cranberries are excellent sources. Ditto hazelnuts, pecans, and pistachios. Sorghum is highly excellent. I had no idea. But that's typically cooked. Whereas you can eat the berries and nuts raw. My advice: eat the berries and nuts.

These are familiar foods for healthy eating. You can choose to eat them for your nervous system or for your heart or to avoid cancer.

Wolf-Dog said at February 14, 2011 7:06 PM:

It is possible that these berries are helpful due to neuro-antioxidant properties. Note that some of the drugs such as deprenyl which are used for Parkinson's disease, are in fact neuro-antioxidants. But on this occasion, it is important to make sure that the berries do not contain too much insecticides and fungicides, as it is often the case when they are imported from abroad.

J. Stanton - gnolls.org said at February 15, 2011 3:35 AM:

It is also possible, since this is yet another associational study, that this is simply a selection bias artifact.

1- Tell people for decades to eat more fruits and vegetables because they're good for you
2- Do a survey which shows that people who sincerely try to improve their health are...more healthy

That being said, I like berries, and have no plans to stop eating them when they're in season. But I'm naturally skeptical of these sorts of claims...especially when they involve naming new pseudo-vitamins while there is still no RDA for DHA.

KT said at February 15, 2011 11:50 AM:

Raw pinto beans (the ripe seeds if not the green pods) also contain toxins which might make you reconsider eating large amounts. Not sure if sprouting them increases or decreases the amount of toxins. As a general rule, it's a good idea to avoid eating a lot of raw legume seeds. Various species contain anti-growth factors and even hemolytic agents. Raw alfalfa sprouts contain some serious toxins. I read a study once in which feeding large amounts of raw alfalfa sprouts to young chimpanzees did some really bad things to them, though I can't remember whether they involved the liver, the brain or both.

The dosage makes the poison, however. Don't worry about eating a few raw sprouts here and there.

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