The diagnosis of Parkinsons can be devastating because there is no cure. The available medications do work initially but become less effective with time. There are a few surgical procedures but the results are mediocre and not everyone responds to them.

Living with Parkinson’s disease is physically challenging and can be emotionally devastating. Understandably one will feel angry, anxious, or discouraged at times. As the disease progresses, it can be overpoweringly frustrating since one can no longer speak, put on clothes, walk or even eat. Every act of living becomes difficult and very time consuming.

Patients with Parkinsons disease can now seek help through support groups. Although family and friends can help, Parkinsons support groups do much more because they consist of individuals who are going through the same disease process. With Parkinsons disease support, one gets to understand the disease better, know what treatments are available and how to improve the quality of life. It is the experience of many individuals which is freely available. Asides from health care professionals, support groups provide the best practical information about the disease. Moreover, support groups provide online forums where one can share similar experiences or problems. By meeting together, Parkinsons support groups offer both practical and emotional support.

Support groups also organize formal lectures by health care professionals on the latest advances in Parkinsons and what clinical trials are currently taking place. In most cases, support groups are an informal way to meet, discuss and understand the disease process. To get the most benefit from a support group, one should make an attempt to attend regularly.
Besides open communication, Parkinsons disease groups hold social events, trips, yoga, art therapy, physiotherapy and cognitive training sessions. Support groups bring back life and renew hope in how to deal with a chronic disease. Finally, support groups will give you a chance to make new friends and breakdown the feelings of helplessness, depression or isolation. When you belong to a support group, you will never feel alone.
There are Parkinsons disease support groups established in almost every major city and town in the USA. The majority of these support groups have their own websites where details are posted.
To know if there is a support group in your area, speak to your physician or a social worker. One can even go to the national Parkinson Foundation or the American Parkinson Disease Association where all registered support groups can be viewed. Besides meeting physically, support groups also offer online chat sessions. Parkinsons support has been made a lot easier with the internet whereby one can communicate and transfer information.

Tremors of Parkinson’s disease (PD) usually starts in the hands and the individual may be observed rubbing his thumb and forefinger. This tremor is often known as “pill rolling” and is difficult to stop.

Slow movements also occur over time. All individuals with PD develop a reduce ability to start movements. For example, the individual may have difficulties when walking around and then the steps will be short or there may be a shuffling gait.

Rigidity is another feature in the arm, neck and legs. The rigidity can be intense, limits movements and cause pain.

With time, there is poor posture and the balance is unsteady. This often leads to falls.

Loss of spontaneous movement is common. The individual may not be able to blink, smile or swing the arms. Most individuals develop a fixed mask-like expression and no longer show any emotions.

Speech is slow, soft and often slurred.

Few individuals eventually develop problems with memory, concentration and develop varying degrees of dementia.

Other non specific Parkinsons symptoms include:

Depression which may be related to the diagnosis. Most patients feel sacred, are unable to handle the diagnosis and develop long standing depression.

Many individuals with PD are unable to sleep or have difficulty falling asleep. The disordered sleep cycle may also result in day time sleep attacks and night time walking.

As the disease progresses, other symptoms of parkinsons include difficulty chewing and swallowing food. This is primarily because of weakness in the muscles of the face and throat.

Sexual dysfunction is inevitable with long standing disease. Most patients notice a decline in sexual desire and performance. There is a loss of libido and this is related to both physical inability and emotional factors.

Finally, medications used to treat PD also have potent side effects like twitching of the muscles or jerky body movements, excess sleepiness, dizziness or vivid dreams.

Urinary problems may range from incontinence to urinary retention. Several anti parkinsonian medications will make it difficult for men to urinate and intermittent catheterization of the bladder may be required.

In PD, the small intestine slows down and constipation is a common complaint. Moreover, constipation is also a side effect from the medications used to treat PD.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of early PD is difficult because there are many other brain disorders which can present with similar features. There is no specific blood or radiological test that can make the diagnosis of PD. In all cases, the diagnosis is based on the history and physical examination. When features like muscle rigidity, tremors and and slow movements are observed, a preliminary diagnosis is confirmed. Physicians obtain a CT scan or an MRI of the brain to ensure that there is no structural problem. Sometimes physicians will administer levodopa and if parkinsons disease symptoms disappear, then the diagnosis is confirmed.

The symptoms of PD do vary and may go unnoticed for many months. The classic Parkinsons disease symptoms include:

• Tremors which often begins in the hand and is often referred to as pill rolling.
• Slow body movements make all tasks very difficult. The steps become shorter and often the gait freezes.
• Muscle rigidity of the limbs and neck is also common and may even cause pain.
• Posture and balance also worsen and falls are common in the later stages.

As the disease worsens, the face becomes mask-like and the individual can’t smile, swing the arms and never blinks the eyes. The speech is generally soft, monotonous and slurred. In the later stages, some individuals do develop memory problems, confusion and agitation. No one knows why Parkinsons disease occurs but the disorder does tend to run in families. Men are more likely to be affected than women.

The diagnosis of PD can be difficult in the early stages because there are several other brain disorders which can present with similar features. The diagnosis is based on the history and physical exam. Radiological studies like CT scans or MRI are only done to rule out any structural problems with the brain.

As Parkinsons disease progresses it can lead to depression, difficulty with sleep and swallowing food, inability to pass urine, constipation, and loss of libido. Moreover, medications used to treat PD also have side effects that may induce twitching of muscles, drop in blood pressure and sleepiness.

Parkinsons treatment is based chiefly on medications. The treatment of PD with medications can provide dramatic relief within a short time, but the benefits of most drugs diminish in the long term. Medications like L dopa or dopamine agonists (Mirapex, Requip, pergolide, Selegiline) do help PD individuals. All individuals who have PD should enter a physical therapy program to improve mobility, range of motion and muscle tone. Exercise cannot stop PD from progressing but can help gait and balance. Moreover, speech therapy can help swallowing and speaking.

Surgery for Parkinsons treatment is still experimental. Deep brain stimulation is used in advanced cases when medications have failed. Deep brain stimulation does help resolve tremor but the treatment only works well in less than 5% of individuals. Moreover, surgery also has risks like bleeding, infection or a stroke which can be worse than the disease itself.

When PD has been diagnosed it is important to eat healthy and walk carefully. There are many support groups in most communities and this can help one better understand and cope with the disease. Other aspects of treatment include massage therapy, tai chi or Yoga. Many herbal supplements are marketed for treatment for PD but there is no evidence that any of them works. Before you seek alternative care for Parkinson illness, speak to your physician first.

• Health Research

  • Generic Cialis
  • Neurology Channel – Parkinsons
  • Parkinson Study Group