ON/OFF (TEASER) Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease

19.08.10 / parkinsons disease / Author: Alex
Tags: Disease, ON/OFF, Onset, parkinsons, TEASER, Young

PROJECT: ON/OFF Living & Coping with Young O nset Parkinson’s Disease Directed, produced, filmed, and edited by Tim Costello. THIS IS A SHORT, NON FINAL PRODCUT, USED AS A TEASER USED TO FIND THE FUNDING NEEDED, 000, TO FINISH THE PROJECT (ONE HOUR DOCUMENTARY). FINAL PROJECT WILL DOCUMENT 6 YOUNG ONSET “LIVING” VICE “SUFFERING” FROM PARKINSON’S DISEASE. FILMMAKER: Tim Costello PROJECT IDEA DEVOLOPED BY: TOM BERDINE SPONSOR/FUND SOURCE: TBD FACTS It is estim ated that 1.5 m illion Am ericans are currently diagnosed w ith Parkinson’s disease. 50000 to 60000 more are diagnosed each year. It is believed that 10% of these are under 49, w ith a good m ajority in their late teens, 20′s, 30′s, and 40′s. These individuals are graduating college, starting careers, relationships, families, and trying to build a future for themselves and their loved ones. These are referred to as being diagnosed as “young onset”. ABOUT THE PROJECT The film project is a documentary that will give the audience a front row seat into the normally private lives of six people diagnosed w ith young onset Parkinson’s disease. The film w ill be unscripted, real, at times humorous and other times shocking. It will show them living life as close to or better then before diagnosis. It will show them accommodating these symptoms and side effects despite the daily challenges thrown at them by the symptoms of the disease and side effects of the various medications.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

The Repercussions of Parkinson’s Disease in Oral Health

An estimated 50,000 Americans are diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease each year. It generally affects people in their middle to late years. It is a kind of disorder that causes uncontrollable muscle movements, tremors, muscle rigidity and may even lead to severe memory loss. The patient’s speech and motors skills can also suffer.

Parkinson’s Disease is a degenerative disorder that affects the body’s nervous system which in turn is responsible for the relay of communication between the brain and the muscles. A disruption occurs in the nervous system that gravely affects reactions and movements of the muscles leading to such abnormalities as tremors and rigidity.

The disease usually starts to show symptoms with just a few individual muscle tremors. Sometimes it can manifest itself due to lack of muscle controls that are gradually visible to other people. This can be lack of facial expressions, mumbling sounds while talking, and even the non-movement of the arms while walking. These are simple symptoms that may usually mean the starting occurrence of Parkinson’s Disease.

A patient suffering from this disease may likewise suffer from very poor dental hygiene. While it is true that most people who have Parkinson’s Disease are already old and therefore no longer requires a set of perfect teeth, the fact remains that oral health is an important factor on the overall health condition of an individual. Therefore it is of high importance that people suffering from this disease still get the right amount of dental hygiene.

Because of the weakness of the muscles, a patient may not be able to brush his own teeth. As such, he may require the assistance of another person preferably from a well-trained professional like a caregiver. An expert assistance is necessary to make sure that the patient gets the best dental hygiene even for his condition. This may mean brushing the patient’s teeth, flossing them and administering any required medicines.

Another important point to consider is that some Parkinson’s Disease patients are prescribed to take drugs that can cause xerostomia. Xerostomia is more commonly called dry mouth. The saliva is an important component of a good oral hygiene as it helps clean the mouth by fighting off bacteria. Now, a person who suffers from xerostomia has higher risk of developing tooth decay, halitosis and other periodontal diseases and disorders. If you have constant dry mouth, your dentist can prescribe you with a medicine that can stimulate the production of more saliva as well as prescribing you with fluoride treatments to help battle tooth decay.

Also, due to the fact that Parkinson’s Disease patients may suffer from tremors, muscle rigidity and weakness, as well as feel agitated, it will be harder to keep him still in the dentist’s chair. This is very important because it makes it harder for the dentist to conduct the necessary dental procedures. Some form of equipment and contraptions may be used to keep the patient still. For much worse situations, the dentist may require to sedate his patient to avoid any unnecessary movements during the treatment.

Genetic link discovered between immune system, Parkinson’s disease
Scientists have discovered new evidence that Parkinson’s disease may have an infectious or autoimmune origin.
Read more on Science Daily

Question by The Unpublished Poet: Why do people think that those with movement disorders like Parkinson’s Disease are faking it to get attention?
I think I have something similar to familial PKD (which is similar to Parkinson’s Disease, except sporadic).

However, there are people who think that people with movement disorders are faking it to get attention.

Why do they think that?

Best answer:

Answer by Croatian ♠ Angel
ignorance…just try and don’t let them get to you

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

Stretching for the Parkinson’s 5K Walk and Fun Run 2008


Image by gebl
(C)Gebl 2008