EXCLUSIVE: Michael J. Fox Talks To Katie Couric re Rush L

29.07.10 / parkinson disease / Author: Alex
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Actor Michael J. Fox discusses his foundation for Parkinson’s disease research and recent allegations made by radio host Rush Limbaugh.

Parkinson Disease – Prevention and Information

What is Parkinson’s disease?

When brain cells (neurons) deteriorate, Parkinson’s disease is the result. It is considered a chronic condition, as opposed to acute, because it has no cure and doesn’t go away by itself. It is also a degenerative disease, meaning that it breaks down the body of the person it attacks. Muscle control is lost due to a lack of dopamine in the brain and, because of this, a difficulty in walking, coordination, and severe shaking develop.

Parkinson’s isn’t easy to diagnose either. There is no blood test or brain scan that definitively points to the condition – doctors diagnose based on the process of elimination and patient symptoms. Other signs of the disease include: a shuffling walk, small cramped handwriting, muffled speech, depression and stiff facial expressions. There are doctors, neurologists, who specialize in the treatment of neurological disorders and of these even more specialized practioners who specifically treat Parkinson disease.

In Parkinson disease, cells in a certain part of the brain called the substantial Ingra begin to die or become impaired. These cells are particularly important because they produce a chemical called dopamine. This chemical is responsible for smooth and coordinated movement of the body’s muscles. According to the National Parkinson Foundation, “When approximately 80% of the dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson disease appear.

Every Parkinson’s sufferer will have different symptoms that are present to different extents and although tremors are the most common symptom of the disease at least 20% of sufferers never have a tremor in their life. They may drop things and fall over a lot but these aren’t really events you would associate with Parkinson’s disease even though they are symptoms of the condition.

These cells are particularly important because they produce a chemical called dopamine. This chemical is responsible for smooth and coordinated movement of the body’s muscles. According to the National Parkinson Foundation, “When approximately 80% of the dopamine-producing cells are damaged, the symptoms of Parkinson disease appear.”

Another possible cause of Parkinson’s disease is shock and distress.

Some physicians tell about patient that say this; “There was a death in the family, and right after that their arm began to shake. Tell me, Doc­tor, do you think that nervous shock gave me the dis­ease?”  Or “I had a bad accident and right after that incident my arm started shaking.”

These are very often the words of Parkinson’s patients when they first consult a physician.

There are Parkinson’s cases that started after the person had a traumatic accident that kicked-off the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

There are many people that believe that Parkinson’s disease started after a traumatic event in the patient’s life.

But many Parkinson’s disease specialists do not believe that emotional shocks or accidents play any significant part in the cause of the disease. Though there is little doubt, that such influences can certainly aggravate the disease, either temporarily or permanently, if it already exists.

Many Parkinson’s sufferers have certainly noticed a setback in their health after some emotional crisis or physical injury. Sometimes these setbacks persist long after the setback occurred.

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You may be interested in reading Parkinson’s Disease Treatment and Get Rid of Parkinson’s Disease

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: A Self-Help Guide

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Addressing a disease that affects half a million Americans today—with 100,000 new cases diagnosed annually—this reference emphasizes how treatment and education are vital to maintaining the best quality of life possible. Coauthored by a former physician who has lived with Parkinson’s for 20 years, this handbook discusses both the basics of the disease, for which there is no “cure,” and ways that patients can stay active and maintain independence. Additional topics include symptoms and

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New pathway to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases
Although their genetic underpinnings differ, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease are all characterized by the untimely death of brain cells. What triggers cell death in the brain? According to a new study published by researchers at Sanford-Burnham Medical Research Institute (Sanford-Burnham) in the July 30 issue of Molecular Cell, the answer in some cases is the …
Read more on PhysOrg

Question by Mwaniki: Is parkinson disease falls in mental illness category?
sorry for my ignorance but Is parkinson disease falls in mental illness category?what are the symptoms and what is the cause of it?

Best answer:

Answer by mike
no it’s a movement disorder and not a mental disorder, it’s a real disability even with medication.

What do you think? Answer below!

Comments: 31

S1587915G // July 29th, 2010 - 4:34 pm

I hope he recovers. Soon.

It’s so sad seeing him like this.

garycalgary // July 29th, 2010 - 5:16 pm

what angers me is there are things to help but religious zealots have to have their say. I agree completely with what he says. Except

when he says americans because people are affected world wide with parkinsons

bihwebos // July 29th, 2010 - 5:48 pm

my friend, you are a intelectual human being despite your condition and I wish you all the best. You should know that we miss you :)

85TeenWolf // July 29th, 2010 - 6:40 pm

This makes me want to cry. I love Michael J Fox, and I hate to see him like this!

Melensko // July 29th, 2010 - 7:08 pm

it breaks my heart to see michael j. fox like this…. i miss him in acting so much…

zxWhoAmIxz // July 29th, 2010 - 7:52 pm

@Wentfradump Parkinson’s disease is a movement disorder. ANd only 25-30% develop dementia, which has somehting to do with memory you dumbfuck. They don’t know if it is part of the symptom. Research on you own you no life old shit.

leparditas // July 29th, 2010 - 8:41 pm

@mikepw15 you not alone! dont mess with us! lol

mikepw15 // July 29th, 2010 - 9:01 pm

@Wentfradump dude ur grandmother has Alzheimer’s. with Parkinson’s, u have no control over ur body’s movement. it can be medicated but sometimes the medication can cause dyskinesia or other movement disorders. the alternate to that, though, is being completely locked up and unable to move. Alzheimer’s is a neurological disorder too but it affects a completely different part of the brain and makes u gradually lose ur memory to the point where u don’t even recognize family.

mikepw15 // July 29th, 2010 - 9:21 pm

is it just me, or does Katie Couric look sexy as hell in this video?

Mapleholic // July 29th, 2010 - 9:40 pm

Some people just get so deep in the ass…i feel for him. Parkinson’s Disease is probably far from being cured, but I sincerely hope this man is able to demonstrate his talent in the media, if for at least once.

nadeqda1 // July 29th, 2010 - 10:39 pm

Боже мой я плачу

nadeqda1 // July 29th, 2010 - 11:33 pm

Боже мой как мне его жалко такой красивый и молодой .. он еще живой ? я хочу чтобы его вылечили ..

Wentfradump // July 29th, 2010 - 11:57 pm

@zxWhoAmIxz DUDE YOUA MUS BE STUPID DUED!! MY GRANMOTHER HAD PARKENSON AND DON REMEMBER ANYTHING. SHE PUT PURSE IN WASHING MACHINE. SHE DON REMEMBER SHIT. BUT THIS GUY IS TAKING PEP PILLS OR SOMETHING.

jakeparker11 // July 30th, 2010 - 12:47 am

@Wentfradump oh you’re so stupid

zxWhoAmIxz // July 30th, 2010 - 1:38 am

@Wentfradump are you stupid? That’s the effect of Parkinson’s disease

Wentfradump // July 30th, 2010 - 1:43 am

THIS GUY NEEDS TO RELAX! DOES HE TAKE METHAMFETAMINS??

csc99 // July 30th, 2010 - 2:15 am

God love Michael.. I’m all for stem cell research, my lil boy has a genetic condition that could poss one day be cured by this type of research… Good on him for speaking out and giving the facts…
Hope comment by tejo29se is true, bring back Mike!! xxxxx

mrman3810 // July 30th, 2010 - 3:08 am

open letter to michael j fox—michael its is a shame that u are fooling the dumb ass public where you know yourself u dont have this disease. your career was suffering and what clever way to make a come back by pretending to havea disease that you think u have but are pretending u are a great actor, u got this dumb bitch believing that this shit is real. stop it mikey. u got a hot wife–tracy pollan tell that bitch to work. cut it out lol its funny and u need stop that shit!

MASAI97 // July 30th, 2010 - 4:05 am

This dude is cool

SGAK // July 30th, 2010 - 4:53 am

@tejo29se Did you see him on the Colbert Report recently?
My first thought was… wow, he still looks like he’s in his late 20s.

Jake1985Nazar // July 30th, 2010 - 5:07 am

geez that is so sad and terrible all the shaking and moving his lega and struggling we all hope you get better and hope you can be close to you former self it is just sad and almost makes me cry

knastbube // July 30th, 2010 - 5:36 am

That looks terrible poor Michael
Doc change the future!

saxzappia // July 30th, 2010 - 5:53 am

HEROI,BRAVO GREAT MAN…COMBATANT HERO

mmmmmmmmmm9999 // July 30th, 2010 - 6:15 am

I have nothing but absolute respect for the guy.
Poor Mike. : (

gearsofwarmad2 // July 30th, 2010 - 6:36 am

He got parkinsons from traveling through time!! Don’t do it kids, its heavy!!!!!

Anonymous // July 30th, 2010 - 6:52 am

Review by for Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: A Self-Help Guide
Rating:
“Understanding Parkinson’s Disease” is a well-written book introducing a patient to life as a Parkinson’s patient. I purchased this book to pre-screen it for my parents and found that it was a good book to give them because of it’s positive discussion about the disease. If you know a Parkinson’s patient who refuses to read up about the disease (because they don’t want to read about all the restrictions they will have to face in their future) this is a good “first” book. The “Self Help Guide” has a pro-active upbeat approach to working with the disease. It doesn’t spend a lot of time belaboring how miserable the future will be, but focuses on how to deal with the present. Since Dr. Cram has Parkinson’s Disease himself his viewpoints about the disease help give credibility and enlightenment to the reader. This book summarized all aspects of the disease while showing how to live with the symptoms. It is a good starter book for preparing to live with Parkinson’s Disease. Purchase “Caring for the Parkinson patient” by Hutton for a more in-depth review of Parkinson’s and how to live (or care for someone) with the disease.

Jakusle@aol.com // July 30th, 2010 - 7:49 am

Review by Jakusle@aol.com for Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: A Self-Help Guide
Rating:
Dr. David Cram has written a very touching and informative book about Parkinson’s Disease that I encourage anyone who has been diagnosed with PD or who knows someone who has been diagnosed with PD to check out. Dr. Cram who was dianosed ten years ago with PD writes from personal knowledge and covers everything from symptoms to the newest drug therapies. I also enjoyed the comments interspersed throughout the book from patients, physicians, nurses, counselors and therapists. This is a very encouraging book and I recommend it highly!

Christopher Herron // July 30th, 2010 - 8:25 am

Review by Christopher Herron for Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: A Self-Help Guide
Rating:
A well-written, nicely organized basic introduction and self-help guide written from the perspective of a physician suffering from Parkinson’s Disease (PD). This paperback manual explores both the physical and mental sides of dealing with a chronic, devastating illness. It provides strategies and tips for both the sufferer and the caregiver. My only reservation is that, at times, I wished the author would have provided more detailed information on specific, recommended techniques designed to aid the patient. Highly recommended reading.

Sweet But Can't Cook // July 30th, 2010 - 9:17 am

Review by Sweet But Can’t Cook for Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: A Self-Help Guide
Rating:
My mom has Parkinson’s and this book gave us a lot of good information. We learned many things that will be helpful in helping with my mom’s health. I highly recommend this book!

Superfly // July 30th, 2010 - 9:42 am

Parkinson’s disease usually is classified in the Neurological disorders category. Nobody knows the cause for sure. It usually comes with aging. The symptoms depend on the stage of the disorder. When it gets to advanced stage, it is horrific to witness. The patients lost most control of their movements. Their memory fades. Their mental awareness also drops significantly.

In my humble opinion, that is a suffering no human should endure.

SuperFly

Mags // July 30th, 2010 - 10:21 am

This is not an ignorant question. Parkinson’s disease is sometimes classified as other than a neurodegenerative disease or motor-neuron disease.

While Parkinson’s disease does not fall into the mental illness category, if it develops into PD-D, Parkinson’s Disease with Dementia or LDB – Parkinson’s disease with Lewy bodies, treatment will be derived from more than just neurologists specializing in motion disorders.

Parkinson’s depression is not quite the same thing as mainstream depression which would fall into the mental illness category. The same medications are often not effective or contraindicated because of interactions with the PD itself or other meds used to treat it.

Currently diagnostic tests for Parkinson’s disease are being reevaluated and rewritten from the standard depression diagnostics.

Treatment often involves counseling to restore self-worth.

The symptoms of the disease itself are varied. Early symptoms can involve sleep disorders, loss of sense of smell and/or taste, loss of arm swing, depression. In women it can be pain in the neck and shoulders. The symptom the drives many people to the doctor for a diagnosis is often a unilateral tremor in the hand or fingers, perhaps the foot. By this time about 60% of the dopamine neurons have degenerated-died. And the tremor is seen as the homeostasis between acetylcholine, which acting as an excitatory neurotransmitter, messages the muscles to contract. Dopamine in a role as an inhibitory neuron would normally message the muscles to relax but due to their depletion, they are overpowered by the normal amount of acetylcholine and the instructions are sporadic.

There are many symptoms which can develop after the initial diagnosis, muscle stiffness and rigidity, slowness of movement, speech, thought known as bradykinesia. Slow or shuffling gait along with stooped posture. Apathy is another symptom as is depression. Freezing of motion in mid stride. Difficulties with sleeping. Urinary frequency (nocturia usually which accounts for some of the sleep issues) constipation. Speech issues can be loss of volume and slowness of speech, difficulties speaking. Swallowing and breathing problems are related to the speech issues. Handwriting can become small. Cognitive skills can begin to wane.

The depression in PD is often related to self image and the knowledge that one has a chronic incurable disease which may cause a rather ignoble demise. Public opinion and reaction to people with PD often creates a situation where patients do not wish to be humiliated in public and so confine themselves to their residence – this in turn creates other problems with lack of sun exposure to create Vitamin D which is usually deficient in PD patients. SAD is another symptom of a PD depression. The interesting thing is that using a good SAD light can sometimes help with a few other PD symptoms as well as the depression. There is a melatonin-serontonin connection.
Take a look at the articles in the link below for more information:
http://parkinsonsfocustoday.blogspot.com/search?q=SAD

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