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Understanding Treatment Options for Parkinson’s Disease
Last Updated: Mar 22, 2021 7:57:55 PM
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Parkinson’s disease is challenging for the patient and their loved ones, but treatments are available to slow down the disease and impact day-to-day life.
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Alex Hayes:When you have a new patient who is getting diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, how do you define for them what it is?
Kara Wyant, MD:I tell them it's a slowly progressive neurodegenerative disease, which means that a little part of your brain is slowly dying off. In Parkinson's disease, that's the dopamine-producing cell and that's what's giving you your symptoms.
Alex Hayes:Dr. Nwabuobi, can you just kind of run me through a list of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease?
Lynda Nwabuobi, MD:People know a lot about the motor symptoms of Parkinson's. The tremor, the slowness, the shuffling, the masked faces. People may notice balance is affected, smaller handwriting, which we call micrographia, a reduced volume of speech, so the voice becomes lower. The other part of Parkinson's disease are the non-motor symptoms. Some examples are constipation, anxiety, depression, acting out your dreams, which is called R.E.M. sleep behavior disorder. These are some of the signs that we put together when we see a patient to let us know that this is probably Parkinson's.
Alex Hayes:Once you've diagnosed somebody with Parkinson's, what are the different treatment options?
Kara Wyant, MD:Oh, there are many treatment options. So for the motor symptoms, there are dopamine replacement therapies. So, because you've lost that dopamine in your brain, we give it back to you. For some of the other non-motor symptoms, we have specific medications that have been approved for those indications in Parkinson's disease, as well.
Alex Hayes:What are off periods of Parkinson's and how are they treated?
Lynda Nwabuobi, MD:The goal is to keep dopamine in the body and the brain at a steady level. But unfortunately, a lot of the medications, the way they work is that you take it and then it goes up and comes back down. And as it comes down, you see them go from moving and talking, to then going back to being slow and low voice. So that's when you say, "Okay, now they're going off." And so the goal is to catch your wearing off period, take a pill so that you don't completely wear off.
Alex Hayes:Outside of medications, are there certain lifestyle changes that somebody could implement that will help ease the symptoms?
Kara Wyant, MD:Exercise, exercise, exercise, is the big thing that I preach to all of my patients, because it makes such a big difference.
Kara Wyant, MD:So unfortunately at this point, we don't have any medications that are going to slow the rate of decline or stop the disease progression in Parkinson's disease. But exercise, when you do it, may have a beneficial effect in doing that. As long as you start exercising and keep it up, you can actually delay the balance problems that come for everybody at some point in Parkinson's disease.
Alex Hayes:How important is it in terms of accepting the treatment or continuing the treatment, is it to have a strong relationship with your neurologist?
Lynda Nwabuobi, MD:I think it's very important to have a good relationship with your neurologist. Having Parkinson's, it's not an easy ride. You're going to need all the support and there's so many organizations out there and resources out there. The neurologist can be the key to connecting you to many of these resources.
Kara Wyant, MD:I would encourage you to get out there, get active, get educated, and then participate in the things that are available for our patients with Parkinson's disease.
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
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Supporting a Loved One With Parkinson’s Disease
Last Updated: Mar 22, 2021 7:19:32 PM
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Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease can change your life–but it can also be a gift, if you find support and keep learning how to address your own needs. Learn from the experiences of these Parkinson’s caregivers.
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Frank:Every Parkinson's patient is suffering with a different type of issue.
Candice:I take care of my father who has Parkinson's. I feel like what's most challenging for me is understanding that I have to do some things that I don't want to do that make my father and I both uncomfortable.
Frank:I'm a care partner with my wife, Bonnie. She is currently on her seventh neurologist. The gentlemen that she's with now is wonderful.
Sheraine:I am caregiver to my husband who has Parkinson's. A lot of my friends who are caregivers have said they lost the person they married and I don't think I've lost him completely, but some days I really think that he's just in another world. One of the challenges is that we never know day to day how they're going to be.
Natasha:I take care of both of my parents who have Parkinson's. Finding time for myself, I'm still learning how to balance all of that and not lose sight of who I am.
Lynda Nwabuobi, MD:Caregiver burden is real and I advise my caregivers to make sure that they set up time for themselves to do something for themselves. And then we try to provide support making sure that if possible, we can get a home health aide to supplement the care that the caregiver's providing.
Kara Wyant, MD:Caregivers are so very important in Parkinson's disease. So while I'm telling my patients, "we don't want to ignore your mental health and ignore how you're coping with this diagnosis," we want to make sure that our caregivers also have the same support. The Parkinson's Foundation, the Michael J. Fox Foundation, they're excellent resources so that they can identify other people that are in that same process that can give them advice for how they made it through and how they keep going.
Sheraine:Join support groups, not so much a support group for Parkinson's, but for caregivers.
Frank:Stay in the moment and try to deal with what's going on right now. And find a neurologist who you really trust.
Candice:Do not forget about yourself. Do not let this stop you from living your life.
Natasha:I try and tell myself, like I can't--at a certain point, I can't control this. I can't control if they're going to fall today. I can't wrap them in bubble wrap. And I feel constantly, I have to learn to let go of that control and that is the hardest thing.
Candice:Yeah.
Natasha:Work in progress.
Candice:Yes, amen.
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
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Staying Positive With Parkinson’s Disease
Last Updated: Mar 22, 2021 8:35:13 PM
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Caring for someone with Parkinson’s can be difficult in many ways. The emotional weight of seeing a loved one’s life change may be hard to bear, but with the support of friends, family, and medical experts, there are many reasons to stay positive.
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Natasha:I asked my parents, "How do you stay positive?" And they said to me, "We learn by you."
Candice:I take care of my father, who has Parkinson's. I love taking care of him. I really do. What I find most rewarding is the time I get to spend with him.
Frank:I am a care partner with my wife, Bonnie. We try to be grateful as much as possible.
Sheraine:I am caregiver to my husband who has Parkinson's. I have three beautiful grandchildren. I try to see them every weekend. Just having that to look forward to is what keeps us going.
Natasha:I take care of both of my parents who have Parkinson's. I'm always coming to them with, "Hey, look at this article I read. Or check this out, watch this video. Or you could get involved in this group. Or be a part of a clinical study."
Dr. Kara Wyant:We are constantly doing research to look for something that will change the course of Parkinson's disease, to slow it down or to stop it, but also to completely understand it and know who's going to get it and why. And we constantly need volunteers. And a lot of my patients have really found that to be a source of pride, and that they have donated their time and their effort to other patients and that they're helping people in the future.
Dr. Lynda Nwabuobi:I think it's important to have a community with people who are going through the same thing as you. There's so many support groups out there. I encourage my patients to talk to their family, to talk to their friends about this diagnosis. This is one big way that you're going to be able to manage this journey.
Sheraine:I'm very involved in some support groups. And also, my husband does a lot of classes through various different Parkinson's programs. And I think it's really good to keep as much involved as possible.
Candice:I try to include my friends with my dad. I'm like, "Come over. We're going to have some dinner and drinks." And we all get around Dad, we're laughing and talking with him. And we just try to keep that going.
Natasha:Just scheduling days of the week where I can devote more time to reorganizing things in their home that can make their lives feel more independent, to make them feel empowered. The challenge and the reward is finding a problem, and then finding a solution.
Candice:Yeah, I definitely agree. I love when I find something. I'm like, "Dad, look. We did it."
Natasha:Right. Yeah.
Candice:Yeah, like, "look, we did it!"
Natasha:You're like, "Yeah, Dad. You could do this thing and you're all set."
Candice:Yeah.
Frank:I have a thing I'm looking at right now. It says, "Life is too important to be taken seriously." That's Oscar Wilde. So we try like heck to use humor as much as we can, to make as many jokes as we can. No, it doesn't mean that we don't think that Parkinson's or anything else that's going on in life isn't serious. But at the same time, if we can be lighthearted and joke around with each other, we find it extremely helpful.
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
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Parkinson’s Disease 101
Last Updated: Mar 23, 2021 1:38:19 PM
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If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, it’s crucial to know what you’re dealing with. Learn from these experts about what Parkinson’s is and how to treat it.
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Alex Hayes:How does someone get Parkinson's?
Lynda Nwabuobi, MD:About 90% of people who get Parkinson's disease, we call it idiopathic, sporadic. It just happens unfortunately. It's like people who get a headache. Why do you get a headache? We don't know. You were just bound to have a headache. However, there is a small percentage of people, about 5 to 10% of people where it is hereditary. And so in these individuals, you'll find a family history of Parkinson's disease.
Alex Hayes:When you're talking with patients, how do you define Parkinson's disease for them?
Lynda Nwabuobi, MD:I define it as a neurodegenerative disorder. The cells in the brain that are making the neurotransmitter, the chemical called dopamine, those cells are slowly dying off over time. When you get to a certain point where you have a certain amount of reduction in dopamine, you then manifest the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.
Alex Hayes:I'd love for you to kind of walk me through what those signs and symptoms are.
Kara Wyant, MD:What we call the hallmark feature of Parkinson's disease is the bradykinesia. That's the slowness and smallness of movement because of that loss of dopamine. And the other thing I look for is that classic rest tremor. So when people aren't paying attention to it, they're relaxing, their hand will shake or their foot will shake. The other things I look for are rigidity. That's a stiffness. Balance issues are another thing. Often symptoms start on one side of the body and then slowly move to the other side of the body. And some patients who are really in tune with their body will notice that and just feel like their gait is off and they're just not as steady as they used to be.
Alex Hayes:When someone is starting to experience these signs and symptoms, or you notice them in a family member, what's the first step that somebody should take to start addressing them?
Lynda Nwabuobi, MD:Come see a doctor. When people have these symptoms, it's very easy to say, "Oh, this is just--you're just getting older." And so a lot of times people are not aware that this could be Parkinson's disease. Let the doctor decide if this is a normal part of aging, or could it be a disease process going on.
Kara Wyant, MD:Probably the biggest risk factor for Parkinson's disease is age. So only about 10% occur before the age of 50. And then as you get older, it increases in incidence. So about 1% of the population at 60 years old will have it. And then 2.5% at 80 years or more will have it.
Alex Hayes:If you were going to kind of break down the top three things that a newly diagnosed person with Parkinson's needs to know, what would those three facts be?
Lynda Nwabuobi, MD:Nobody wants this disease. And unfortunately this disease happens at retirement age. And so people become very sad. And so the first thing that I always tell patients is we are going to be able to help you manage this and help you maintain your function as much as possible. The other thing that I tell patients is that there are treatments to help manage the disease. And we have medications to help patients maintain their quality of life. In addition, there's a lot of research happening in Parkinson's disease and there are scientists all over the world trying to find a cure. So there is hope.
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
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5 Things You Didn't Know About Parkinson's Disease
Last Updated: Feb 01, 2021 8:34:19 PM
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Are you living with or caring for a loved one with Parkinson's disease? Here are things you may not know about it.
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5 Things You Didn't Know About Parkinson's Disease
1. While many people living with Parkinson’s disease (PD) suffer from tremors, it’s also common to experience the opposite: slowing and stiffening of muscles and movement.
2. For some, non-movement symptoms (like mood disorders, cognitive issues, and problems sleeping) can be more debilitating than motor symptoms.
3. Early signs of PD include loss of smell and changes in penmanship. Take note if your handwriting (or that of a loved one) has become smaller or more crowded.
4. People with PD aren’t always sad or mad; many just experience “facial masking” which stiffens the muscles in their face and impairs their ability to move those muscles quickly.
5. The cause of Parkinson’s disease is still unknown, and there’s not a cure yet. But with all the treatment options available, people with PD can enjoy a great quality of life.
Turn to Healthgrades to connect with the right neurologist to treat Parkinson’s disease.
And share this video to help spread the word!
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
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All About Telehealth for Parkinson’s Disease
Last Updated: Feb 01, 2021 8:47:55 PM
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New to telehealth for Parkinson's disease? Here's what you need to know.
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All About Telehealth for Parkinson's Disease
Telehealth allows doctors to care for people virtually over a phone call, text message, or most commonly, video chat.
Although some situations require an in-person visit, telehealth is a great option when you can't get to the doctor's office for your Parkinson's disease (PD).
If you're new to telehealth, here's what you need to know.
Medicare will cover telehealth visits just like in-person visits, but state Medicaid programs and private insurers vary, so confirm your coverage in advance.
With telehealth, even though you're not in the doctor's office, your private health information is still covered by HIPAA, so it will remain confidential and secure.
Although your neurologist can't give you a physical exam via telehealth, they can write prescriptions and offer quality care, especially if you prepare in advance.
Before your telehealth appointment:- List any PD symptoms (including dates and severity), like tremors, slow or stiff movement, difficulty balancing, impaired speech, or handwriting changes- PD often comes with non-movement symptoms, like mood changes, cognitive issues, and trouble sleeping, so track those symptoms too- Note any side effects from your PD medications- Record your vital signs if you own a blood pressure monitor, thermometer, or another device- Compile a list of your health conditions and all medications- Write down any questions you have for your neurologist- Charge your computer or phone- Make sure your internet is reliable- Download any telehealth apps your specific provider may require- Find a quiet, private space to conduct the call- Be prepared with pen and paper or a note-taking app
Turn to Healthgrades to connect with the right neurologist to treat Parkinson's disease via telehealth. And share this video to spread the word!
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
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5 Ways to Make Life Easier With Parkinson’s Disease
Last Updated: Feb 01, 2021 8:52:58 PM
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Living with Parkinson's disease is difficult. Here are five ways to make life easier.
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5 Ways to Make Life Easier With Parkinson's Disease
1. Be as active as possible.
Regular exercise not only helps promote balance and muscle strength, which can be a challenge with Parkinson’s, but it can also improve your emotional well-being. Ask your doctor about the best exercises for you.
2. Use adaptive equipment.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) can make it tough to do daily tasks like cooking or buttoning your shirt. Buy covered cups, ergonomic knives, and clothing with magnetic or Velcro closures to make those tasks easier.
3. Reorganize.
Move your most frequently used items (like dishware or coffee cups) into places that are easier to access. And label your drawers and cabinets.
4. Make your home safer and more accessible.
Rearrange your furniture to create more space to move; install handrails to avoid falls, especially in the bathroom; and consider replacing soft furniture with more firm options, which are easier to get on and off of.
5. Put your medical care in the right hands.
The right neurologist can help make Parkinson’s disease easier to live with. Turn to Healthgrades.com to find the best doctor for you.
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
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Parkinson’s Disease: Jorge’s Story Part 1
Last Updated: Feb 01, 2021 9:02:09 PM
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Jorge’s life changed when his Parkinson’s disease symptoms began. But with treatment and mobility aids, he’s making the most of it.
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My name is Jorge, and I was born in Cuba. I've been living in the United States since 1962. I started having problems in my handwriting, my calligraphy, the way I handwrite became very small, very tiny, difficult to read. So I was concerned about it, and I heard before that people who have Parkinson's disease, one of the symptoms, they write very minuscule.
So I went to a doctor and asked him my problem, and he referred me to the neurologist. So the doctor did some tests. He put me on a medication, and the medication worked for my tremors. I have a lot of tremors, which it did. That confirmed that I have Parkinson's.
Sometimes I get frustrated, and especially when I can't remember things because Parkinson's affects also your memory, and sometimes I become very upset. I have to walk with the aid of a walker and that limits my activities, household things to do, going out. Everything is not as easy as it used to be.
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
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Parkinson’s Disease: Jorge’s Story Part 2
Last Updated: Feb 01, 2021 9:13:37 PM
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Jorge’s Parkinson’s restricts him, but with the support of his family, his philosophy is to stay motivated and have gratitude.
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Rita:Even though he's doing well, it still causes rigidity in his bones and it slows his movement. So physical therapy actually starts tomorrow at home, a couple times a week, and it's going to be really helpful. It really is an important necessity for him to stay in the right road of not deteriorating his bones and his rigidity. You know, he does still drop things, but like I said, my father is a very motivated person. That keeps him a hundred steps ahead of the disease.
Jorge:I have great support from my family. It's the support, you see my daughter's here with me today. And thank God that I sit here, 85 years old, I can be on my own. That's important. If somebody has this illness, you have to face it. And you have to face it early. And look at the positivity that he or she has in this life. You have to expect illness and some problems of all sorts, or you die young, you won't have any problems. But nobody wants to die young. So that's my philosophy. And it works for me.
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
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5 Fast Facts: Parkinson’s Disease
Last Updated: Feb 05, 2021 10:14:26 PM
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After a Parkinson's disease diagnosis, make sure you know the basics.
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5 Fast Facts: Parkinson's disease
#1: Parkinson's disease (PD) affects 10 million+ people worldwide. That includes nearly 1 million people living in the United States.
#2: Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition. It gradually gets worse over time-but treatment can help slow this process and improve quality of life.
#3: With Parkinson's, brain cells that make dopamine weaken or die. Dopamine is a chemical that regulates movement. A lack of dopamine causes many PD symptoms, like tremors, stiffness, and balance problems.
#4: Parkinson's disease can also cause non-movement symptoms. Parkinson's can also lead to depression, memory issues, constipation, and other challenges.
#5: Treatment for Parkinson's disease is different for each patient. Common treatments include medications, surgery, and deep brain stimulation. Many patients also benefit from exercising, yoga, Tai chi, and physical therapy.
Turn to Healthgrades to connect with the right neurologist to treat Parkinson's disease. And share this video to help spread the word!
2022 Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. The content on Healthgrades does not provide medical advice. Always consult a medical provider for diagnosis and treatment. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.