Michael J Fox Parkinson’s Disease

07.07.10 / parkinson disease / Author: Alex
Tags: Disease, Michael, parkinsons

Michael J Fox Parkinson’s Disease

What Is Parkinson Disease

Parkinson disease is a brain disorder that affects nearly 1.5 million Americans and 60,000 new cases are diagnosed annually. There is no known cure but with research and medication there is hope.

A British physician, Dr. James Parkinson, first described the disease in 1817. It is characterized by slowness, tremors, stiffness and a loss of balance. Only two of these symptoms need to be present, especially if they are more apparent on one side of the body over the other, for a diagnosis of the condition to be made.

Brain cells called neurons are responsible for passing along electrical impulses throughout the brain, from one cell to the next, allowing the brain to function normally. In Parkinson disease, cells in a certain part of the brain called the substantia nigra 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.”

So who’s at risk for developing Parkinson disease? Almost everyone; the disease doesn’t seem to be selective and affects women and men equally; and while it is generally considered a disease of the elderly that occurs after the age of 65, about 15% of the affected population are diagnosed under the age of 50. Parkinson affect 1 out of every 100 people and there doesn’t seem to be any social, ethnic, economic or geographic boundaries either. “Currently, researchers suspect that the cause of Parkinson disease in most individuals reflects a combination of genetic factors and environmental exposures.” (National Parkinson Foundation)

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.

There are treatment options available to ease the symptoms of the disease. Most of the hallmarks of Parkinson disease are caused by the lack of dopamine-producing cells existing or still functioning in the brain, so conventional treatment includes medications that mimic or replace dopamine. This helps to reduce the stiffness, tremors, slow movement and poor balance associated with the condition. Several promising new medicines are being developed and studied to halt the progression of the disease, too. http://www.withparkinsons.com/experimentalparkinsonstreatments/

Surgery can be another option to help ease the symptoms for some Parkinson sufferers – brain surgery can be dangerous so this is most often only considered after treatment with medication seems ineffective.

There is currently no cure for Parkinson disease, but there is support and treatment available; and with researchers working diligently to develop medications to halt the progression of the disease, there is also hope for the future.

Parkinson’s Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Families

In recent years, new treatments have vastly improved the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease, substantially reducing symptoms and significantly delaying disability. Maintaining good quality of life with Parkinson’s disease means understanding the disorder, developing effective coping skills, and making educated choices among an array of treatment options.Written by leading authorities on movement and neurological disorders, this comprehensive book provides up-to-date information on symptoms

Rating: (out of 16 reviews)

List Price: $ 17.95

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Gladstone scientists establish link between brain activity and Parkinson’s disease symptoms
Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Neurological Disease and Stanford University have shown how key circuits in the brain control movement. The research, published in the journal Nature not only establishes the function of these circuits, but offers promise for treating movement related disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease.
Read more on EurekAlert!

Question by noraminer@yahoo.com: Parkinson Disease?
I am dating a man that has Parkinson Diease. he is the most special man I have ever met. he is so nice. my concern is will his Parkinson Diease get worse. I have talked with him about my Ex- Husband that was sick with a diease. while dating my ex he took very good care of himself. when we got married my husband stopped taking care of himself & I had to do everything for him. that lead me to believe that he did not marry for love he just needed someone to take care of him. Do you think if I married this man with Parkinson’s Diease, I would end up in the same kind of marriage I had before ?

Best answer:

Answer by ♂Kyle ♂Brandon ♀Delaney ♂Hayden
so much for “in sickness and in health” huh?

Give your answer to this question below!

Press advert for Parkinson’s Disease Society


Image by HowardLake
The Parkinson’s Disease Society is trying to recruit new donors from cold audiences with a national ‘and-raiser’ direct marketing campaign devised by direct-to-digital agency TDA. The campaign aims to make contact and build a dialogue with people who have an empathy with the disease.

www.fundraising.co.uk/node/177038/