denture and saliva
Posted Sep 03 2009 11:26am
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Dr. OkunJoined: 19 Jan 2007Posts: 251Location: University of Florida |
May 6, 2012
April 25, 2012
seated and standup
have trouble to standup after seated on chair or on bed for quite time.
kindly elaborate
TEOKIMHOE
This is common in PD and I would recommend physical and occupational therapy as well as medication optimization. Some people benefit from placing their feet farther back before trying to arise, and also using chairs with arms!
Michael S. Okun, M.D.
National Medical Director | NPF
UF Center for Movement Disorders & Neurorestoration
Read More about Dr. Okun at: mdc.mbi.ufl.edu
to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
April 5, 2012
heat and cold nero
Posted 03 April 2012 - 03:21 AM
Dr. Okun, on 02 April 2012 - 06:25 AM, said:
Not all patients have cold hands and feet with PD. I think the most important thing is to remember that PD affects the autonomic nervous system and this may explain cold and heat symptoms.
Is it related that I have once recevied heat/sauna therapy massage affecting my nervous system and fainted?
Kindly elaborate
teokimhoe
to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
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teokimhoe 
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Posted Yesterday, 09:37 AM
I refer to your heat and cold affecting our neruo function.
I have experience a heat therapy affecting my muscle movement
Kindly elaborate
teokimhoe
to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
April 3, 2012
heat and cold nero
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Posted Yesterday, 12:22 AM
I don’t understand why parkison sufferers have cold hand and feet?
Parkinson is a movement and non movement disorders.
KIndly elaborate
TEOKIMHOE
to help the PD patients aware the diseases and encourage to set up support groups to educate the patients and their immediate families
#2
Dr. Okun
- Advanced Member
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Posted Yesterday, 06:25 AM
Not all patients have cold hands and feet with PD. I think the most important thing is to remember that PD affects the autonomic nervous system and this may explain cold and heat symptoms.
Michael S. Okun, M.D.
March 21, 2012
testimonal
Fighting An Unseen Enemy
Diagnosed at 45
Like many you, my fight with PD began long before I realized that I was in one. My formal ordeal with PD began back in 2003. However, after looking back, I can trace symptoms of having PD five to eight years prior to being formally diagnosed. The first clue that I experienced began in 1993 with an infrequent involuntary blinking in my left eyelid. I spoke to my physician about it and he attributed it to stress and nothing to be concerned about. In 1998, people whom I worked with began to notice that I appeared to be angry while working. I now know that this was another symptom of PD, a loss of facial expression. In early 2003, I began to experience bouts of high anxiety. Little did I know, the anxiety that I began to experience, was but a precursor of things to come. In mid 2003, I began losing movement in my left arm. Later, my left leg became heavy and labored while walking. It was at that time that I realized that something was seriously wrong with me.
I immediately sought out the medical advice from my general practitioner who prescribed me an anti-anxiety drug and advised me to see a neurologist. At the age of 45, and after being examined by a board-certified neurologist, I was told I exhibited all of the symptoms of having Parkinson’s disease. I was totally shocked and in disbelief. Me? Parkinson’s disease?impossible I thought. I was too young and healthy for that. Besides, I had taken excellent care of myself for most of my life. I ran on the treadmill regularly, lifted weights religiously; I did not drink, smoke, or do drugs, so I had a hard time accepting the initial diagnosis. Needless to say, I sought out a second opinion from a specialist in neurology at Duke University(same diagnosis). Knowing the PD was a neuro-degerative disease, I knew that I had to take immediate action and find a treatment or intervention believed to delay the progression of the disease. Thus, I began looking for an open clinical trial focusing on the possibility of slowing the progression of PD. Luckily, I found one in Philadelphia, and was accepted into a study that I believe to have significant promise. Below is a description of the study.
GM1 ganglioside in Parkinson’s disease: Results of a five-year open study.
Schneider JS, Sendek S, Daskalakis C, Cambi F.
Department of Pathology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. jay.schneider@jefferson.edu
Abstract:
Previous work demonstrated that short-term (i.e., 16 weeks) use of GM1 ganglioside resulted in significant symptom reduction in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients. As GM1 use may have long-term benefit for PD patients, the present study was conducted to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of GM1 in PD patients. Twenty-six patients who concluded a previous randomized double blind placebo controlled trial of GM1 volunteered for this open-extension study. At the end of 5 years of GM1 use, patients generally had lower Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor scores (assessed during a practically defined “off” period) than at baseline prior to randomization into the original study. A similar result was found for UPDRS Activities of Daily Living scores. Performance of timed motor tests also remained mostly stable over the 5-year observation period. No consistent clinically significant changes in blood chemistry, hematologic indices or urine chemistry were noted over the course of this study. These results suggest that long-term GM1 use by PD patients is safe and may provide some clinical benefit for PD patients. Additional study is required to more completely assess the degree to which GM1 treatment may be a symptomatic and/or disease-modifying agent for treatment of PD.
PMID: 20206941 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
My participation in the study ended a couple of years ago with positive results. Since the study, I have experienced a significant reduction of PD symptoms i.e. (reduced arm swing, slow movement, poor dexterity, and poor concentration). During the past few years, I have worked with the excellent neurologist at Emory University to find the best combination of anti-PD medications to reduce my symptoms. So far, so good.
Being a man of faith, I cannot and do not attribute my improvement solely to the medications or study itself. However, I cannot ignore the professionalism, hard work, scientific methods, and disciplined approach that I was subjected to while working with the neurologist at Emory University and participating in the Thomas Jefferson study. In essence, I am not claiming GM1 to be a cure for PD. However, I do believe that continued study of GM1 is sound science and warrants further investigation. Finally, I encourage any person afflicted with PD to seek out and if possible participate in a clinical trial in an attempt to expedite a possible cure.
Treating the symptoms of PD is goodbut finding a cure would be far better.
testimonal
I’ve Got a Life to Live
Diagnosed at 34
When I was 7 months pregnant with my third child, I started to notice some difficulty writing. The letters were crowded and small, and my fingers felt weak. My first thoughts were, “Was this pregnancy related? Maybe water retention was making my fingers stiff?” “Was it carpal tunnel syndrome?” After all, I had been a data enterer for the past six years. Being a full-time working mom of two young boys, I put this symptom on the back burner and concentrated on my busy life.
After my daughter was born, I went back to work and immediately became aware of the writing problem. I notified my boss who made arrangements for me to see a workers compensation doctor affiliated with my employer. After weeks of exams and physical therapy, there was no improvement. Over the next several months I continued to seek out answers. I consulted neurologists, rheumatologists, internal medicine specialists, and started a physical therapy program. My symptoms now included nerve and muscle pain in my wrists, elbow and shoulder on my right side. I was told I had everything from tendonitis to lupus. My neurologist at the time agreed to put me on temporary disability from my job while I tried to get an answer that made sense.
Finally one doctor suggested I make an appointment with the neurology department at UCLA for a consultation. After two and a half years of frustration, I was diagnosed in less than 15 minutes with early onset Parkinson’s disease. I had an answer, but what did this all mean? I drove home in tears wondering how I was going to break the news to my husband and mother.
Now looking back, 8 years later, I am in a much different place. After going through bouts of depression, experimenting with a variety of prescription drugs, and struggling with destructive side effects, I’ve connected with other PD patients, and have learned to live with something I have little control over. What I do have control over is my attitude and outlook. There are many things I can still do, although maybe in a different way. It’s still difficult to button a shirt, brush my teeth or keep up with my kids, but it’s not impossible. It would be easy to curl up in a ball and feel sorry for myself but that would be giving up. I’m a mom, a daughter, a sister, and a friend, and there are people who love me and depend on me. I’ve got a life to live.
March 20, 2012
abiut parkinson disease
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease. It belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine, a neurochemical that controls communication between brain cells, is responsible for control of motor function. Nearly 80 percent of the dopamine producing cells in the brain die before the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease even appear. The four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination. Other symptoms may include cognitive changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep disruptions. As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. Early symptoms of Parkinson’s are subtle and occur gradually. In some people the disease progresses more quickly than in others.
Currently there is no cure, therapy, or drug to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease. While medication masks some symptoms for a limited period, generally four to eight years, dose-limiting side-effects do occur after time. Eventually the medications lose their effectiveness, leaving the person unable to move, speak or swallow.
In 1817, a British scientist named James Parkinson first described “the shaking palsy” in an essay. It was through this essay that he defined what we know as Parkinson’s disease today: “involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported; with a propensity to bend the trunk forwards, and to pass from a walking to a running pace: the senses and intellects being uninjured.”
It is unknown exactly how many Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, but most estimates range from 500,000 to 1.5 million. It is believed that nearly 60,000 people are diagnosed each year in the U.S. with Parkinson’s. The average age of diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease is 60 years old, but people as young as 18 have been diagnosed. Typically, anyone diagnosed under the age of 50 is considered as having young-onset Parkinson’s disease.
The cause of Parkinson’s disease remains unknown, but scientists and researchers believe there to be both genetic and environmental factors. In October 2003, scientists at NIH discovered that too much of the alpha-synuclein gene may cause Parkinson’s disease. More recently, scientists at the University of California at Los Angeles discovered that some pesticides used on plants and crops that end up in well water are linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The environmental and genetic links to Parkinson’s disease are diverse, but the science continues to progress.
In order to establish better numbers and understanding about people with Parkinson’s, Congress has taken up a bill, H.R. 2595/S. 425, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act, that will create national, coordinated registries for both Parkinson’s disease and all neurological disorders. When the registry is implemented, we will learn important information about Parkinson’s disease such as geographic prevalence, disease clusters, and the number of Americans living with Parkinson’s disease.
PAN continues to fight for better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Click here to learn more about PAN’s legislative priorities for the Parkinson’s disease community.
March 12, 2012
about parkinsons
parkinson disease
About Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease. It belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders, which are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine, a neurochemical that controls communication between brain cells, is responsible for control of motor function. Nearly 80 percent of the dopamine producing cells in the brain die before the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease even appear. The four primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination. Other symptoms may include cognitive changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep disruptions. As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. Early symptoms of Parkinson’s are subtle and occur gradually. In some people the disease progresses more quickly than in others.
Currently there is no cure, therapy, or drug to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease. While medication masks some symptoms for a limited period, generally four to eight years, dose-limiting side-effects do occur after time. Eventually the medications lose their effectiveness, leaving the person unable to move, speak or swallow.
In 1817, a British scientist named James Parkinson first described “the shaking palsy” in an essay. It was through this essay that he defined what we know as Parkinson’s disease today: “involuntary tremulous motion, with lessened muscular power, in parts not in action and even when supported; with a propensity to bend the trunk forwards, and to pass from a walking to a running pace: the senses and intellects being uninjured.”
It is unknown exactly how many Americans live with Parkinson’s disease, but most estimates range from 500,000 to 1.5 million. It is believed that nearly 60,000 people are diagnosed each year in the U.S. with Parkinson’s. The average age of diagnosis for Parkinson’s disease is 60 years old, but people as young as 18 have been diagnosed. Typically, anyone diagnosed under the age of 50 is considered as having young-onset Parkinson’s disease.
The cause of Parkinson’s disease remains unknown, but scientists and researchers believe there to be both genetic and environmental factors. In October 2003, scientists at NIH discovered that too much of the alpha-synuclein gene may cause Parkinson’s disease. More recently, scientists at the University of California at Los Angeles discovered that some pesticides used on plants and crops that end up in well water are linked to an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease. The environmental and genetic links to Parkinson’s disease are diverse, but the science continues to progress.
In order to establish better numbers and understanding about people with Parkinson’s, Congress has taken up a bill, H.R. 2595/S. 425, the National Neurological Diseases Surveillance System Act, that will create national, coordinated registries for both Parkinson’s disease and all neurological disorders. When the registry is implemented, we will learn important information about Parkinson’s disease such as geographic prevalence, disease clusters, and the number of Americans living with Parkinson’s disease.
PAN continues to fight for better treatments and a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Click here to learn more about PAN’s legislative priorities for the Parkinson’s disease community.
March 7, 2012
SECRET RECIPE BEHIND THE MASK
Secret recipe behind the mask
Hero Teo
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sTpu_zBvDME
I often smiled when I watched the video recording of my kick-boxing exercise which I uploaded to You Tube. My trainers and videographer told me the same thing – “You do not look like a Parkinson’s patient at all”. Even my doctor shook his head in disbelief and said, “This is shocking. I can’t imagine a 70-year-old Parkinson’s patient doing a very strenuous exercise such as kickboxing. I am sure that you are the only Parkinson’s patient in Malaysia who is doing the kickboxing exercise.”
As early as 1998, I already had both the motor and non-motor symptoms. Since my diagnosis in 2002, I went through a period of depression, anxiety, denial and anger. Subsequently, I bounced back after discovering a secret recipe for fighting Parkinson’s, which consisted of: knowledge (is power), exercise, medications, nutrition / supplements and prayer. In my quest for knowledge, I surfed various Parkinson’s websites, raining them with questions, questions and questions. I even started the first Parkinson’s blog in Malaysia (www.heroteo.com). I tried to learn everything about Parkinson’s in order to overcome all complications - the Chinese heroes won the battles by understanding their enemy first.
Animal experiments showed that exercise may be neuroprotective. Rats which were forced to exercise had a lesser degree of brain damage after they were exposed to poison. In mice which were made to undergo treadmill exercise, there was increased production of dopamine.
Parkinson’s patients are comparable to the car. The medications are needed to help patients to start walking, while fuel or battery is needed to help start the car engine. Exercise is needed to improve the patients’ physical mobility and endurance, while driving helps to recharge the battery. Thus, exercise helps our “engines” warm up before leaving home and keep the “cars” going everyday. Even healthy people such as Bruce Lee, the Chinese Kung Fu master, know that exercise is beneficial.
As such, since 2005, I decided to “get physical”. I spend 3-4 hours everyday at the California Fitness gym, doing a wide range of “heavy” exercise such as kick-boxing, weight-training and spinning (indoor cycling). Twice a week, I do yoga exercise at home with the guidance of a trainer.
Since this year, my physical condition has drastically improved. I sleep and eat well (I eat to live, and live to eat). I enjoy driving around the Kuala Lumpur city with my wife everyday and going overseas for holiday. I managed to reduce the daily dose of Parkinson’s medications recently. Sometimes, I wonder whether I am just a “normal person” behind the mask.
I know that it is technically difficult to prove that exercise has neuroprotective effect in Parkinson’s patients. Despite this, I believe that exercise has slowed down my disease progression. I hope that my video recording will bring hope and happiness to all Parkinson’s patients in this world, by reminding them that they can still live a physically active life.
February 20, 2012
ten thoughts on dealing with PD
In no particular order, ten thoughts on dealing with PD for the last fifteen years.
1) When first diagnosed, patients are often told, “Parkinson’s isn’t a death sentence.” What’s left out is the fact that it is a life sentence.
2) Every time you switch to a new drug, the pharmacist has the same comment: “I’m afraid this new medication is a little more expensive than what you’ve been taking.”
3) A typical visit to the neurologist: Tap your fingers ten times, tap your foot ten times and leave four hundred dollars on the way out.
4) Feeling lousy has become so routine you can almost turn it into a positive; it’s a manifestation of “holding the line” against disease symptoms and progression.
5) Drool me a river - it’s getting gradually tougher to pass for normal in public.
6) From a day-to-day caretaker’s perspective, it isn’t so easy to maintain a high level of respect for the chronically ill over a long period of time.
7) Concerning driving, it’s only a matter of time before I’m “outed” as a menace on the road.
No insurance, no big deal. Recently had a posterior shoulder dislocation accident. After all this time with no coverage, what’s another fifteen thousand dollar totally out of pocket medical bill? Water off a duck’s back.
9 and 1/2) Cognitive impairment? None that I can think of. What was the purpose of bringing up the topic in the first place? I’m confused.
10) Apathy is the flavor of the day. For example, I used to regularly keep up with PD research and cutting edge news. These days I don’t pay much attention. Wake me up when there’s a cure