September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
It was somewhat confusing to Mr. JD to figure out whether he had parkinsonism or Parkinson's. As he was reading various online resources, the two terms seemed synonymous at some places and different at others. To relieve his uncertainty, he decided to ask his neurologist the next time he saw him for a follow up appointment. Sometimes patients and their caregivers may find it difficult to... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disabling neurodegenerative condition, and poses a variety of challenges. This adversely affects the quality of life for patients and their caregivers. People with chronic illnesses, like Parkinson’s disease, often receive care that is incomplete, inefficient, and fragmented, leading to ineffective treatment. Research has shown that Parkinson’s disease... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
Healthcare professionals should educate themselves and others about the visible and invisible stigmas associated with Parkinson’s. As suggested by Dr. Rana and colleagues, using a holistic approach to assess a Parkinson’s patient as a whole person by incorporating your passion and experience may not only assist in understanding the complications of Parkinson’s disease, but can possibly... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
The Austrian biotech AFFiRiS AG reported positive results of its Phase I safety trial of a vaccine against Parkinson's disease on July 31, 2014. The vaccine is against alpha-synuclein, a hallmark of Parkinson's disease. The vaccine may help to slow down the progression or halt the disease by inducing antibodies against alpha-synuclein accumulation. This experimental vaccine called PD01A was... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
Although symptoms may vary from person to person, Parkinson’s is a multisystem disorder that affects many aspects of an individual’s physical, psychological, and social well-being. And while medications may help treat the more visible symptoms of Parkinson’s, identification of the invisible symptoms remains a challenge. Therefore, healthcare professionals need to be aware of the... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
Growing evidence suggests that oral hygiene, which includes regular brushing of teeth and the tongue can be a major defence against the development of serious infections, particularly in the elderly and those who are physically compromised because of a neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's. Many medications taken for Parkinson’s or other chronic diseases may have a drying effect... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
Dysphagia, or swallowing difficulty, has been reported in as high as 95% of individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Frequently, changes in the swallowing mechanism occur gradually over time, so an individual may adapt to these changes without realizing there is a problem, until further symptoms begin to show. These symptoms may include choking on saliva, or food and liquids. When the... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
Research estimates that as high as 95% of persons with Parkinson's disease eventually develop swallowing problems. Currently available anti Parkinson drugs do not consistently improve swallowing function or prevent the development of swallowing problems, which has led swallowing researchers to explore other factors, such as: - Diet modifications, - Swallowing exercises -... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
Would you be surprised to know thatresearch estimates as high as 95% of persons with Parkinson disease eventually develop swallowing problems (dysphagia). This can cause food, liquids, and even saliva to slip into the airways instead of the esophagus (the tube that leads to the stomach). In healthy people, contact with the larynx(voice box) by a foreign body should trigger a cough reflex to... Read more
September 28, 2015 | Categories for this post are: Volume 6
Research has shown that patients with Parkinson’s disease often have low levels of vitamin D. In southeastern United States, patients with Parkinson’s were noted to have lower blood levels of vitamin D than those without Parkinson’s. Those with Parkinson’s generally have lower bone mineral density and an increased risk of falls and hip fractures. Vitamin D is produced by the... Read more
