JJ asked:


More and more Parkinsonians are coming forward complaining about strange and odd behavioral and impulse control problems they believe stem from the medications that they have to take to help relieve the symptoms they have from Parkinsons Disease.
Some of these individuals got the idea from the Mirapex commercials that had been playing on TV. I know the commercials say it’s for RLS (restless leg syndrome), but Mirapex has also been prescribed to PD patients for quite a while, and some of the side-effects indicated are “impulse gambling” and “hypersexuality”.
Mirapex and other dopamine agonist (PD meds) do effect the part of the brain that deals with impulse control, but thats also the area where the dopamine agonists need to go in order to help relieve PD symptoms. So what does a person who is stricken with a disabling disease do when they are also having this “urge” or “impulse” to gamble their money away or seek out *********** or worse, act out sexually in a inappropriate way?

rubikscubeconfused asked:


I have heard that acting in your sleep and twitches in your body are foresights to Parkinson’s and im curiously nervous because i both act in my sleep and have twitches quite often in random parts of my body and im only 14. Myabe Parkinson’s wasn’t the disease. Please any information on this topic will be greatly appreciated.

Victoria B asked:


I have Parkinsons and would like to talk to somebody else who understands what it’s like.

Parkinson’s is found all over the world. Exact global figures are not always available, though it is estimated that four million people worldwide have the condition. Parkinson’s disease belongs to a group of conditions called movement disorders. Parkinson’s disease afflicts 1 to 1 1/2 million people in the United States. The disorder occurs in all races but is somewhat more prevalent among Caucasians. People with the disease may have trouble walking, talking or doing simple tasks. Dysfunctional antioxidative mechanisms are associated with older age as well, suggesting that the acceleration of age-related changes in dopamine production may be a factor. Parkinson’s disease patients have at least one relative with parkinsonian symptoms, suggesting that a genetic factor may be involved. There is no cure for Parkinson’s at present, drugs are used to try to control symptoms of Parkinson’s. The most widely used form of treatment is L-dopa in various forms. L-dopa is transformed into dopamine in the dopaminergic neurons by L-aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (often known by its former name dopa-decarboxylase). The most widely practiced treatment for the speech disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT). LSVT focuses on increasing vocal loudness. Regular physical exercise and/or therapy can be beneficial to the patient for maintaining and improving mobility, flexibility, balance and a range of motion. Nutrients have been used in clinical studies and are widely used by people with Parkinson’s disease in order to partially treat PD or slow down its deterioration.

Causes of Parkinsons Disease

Common Causes and Risk factors of Parkinsons Disease

Free radicals.

Accelerated aging.

Environmental toxins.

Genetic factors.

Trauma.

Carbon monoxide poisoning.

Hydrocephalus.

Signs and Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease

Common Sign and Symptoms of Parkinsons Disease

Depression and other emotional changes.

Difficulty in swallowing.

Chewing, and speaking.

Urinary problems.

Constipation.

Skin problems.

Sleep disruptions. 

Trembling of hands, arms, legs, jaw and face.

Treatment of Parkinsons Disease

Common Treatment of Parkinsons Disease

Successful treatment of Parkinson’s disease involves much more than just the use of drugs. Levodopa and carbidopa combined (Sinemet) is the mainstay of Parkinson’s therapy.

Tolcapone inhibits the COMT enzyme, thereby prolonging the effects of L-dopa, and so has been used to complement L-dopa.

The most widely practiced treatment for the speech disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease is Lee Silverman Voice Treatment (LSVT).

Nutrients have been used in clinical studies and are widely used by people with Parkinson’s disease in order to partially treat PD or slow down its deterioration.

Catechol O-methyl transferase (COMT) inhibitors act by inhibiting catabolism of dopamine, thereby extending L-dopa’s peripheral half-life.

Surgical treatment for PD is generally considered for patients who respond to medications.

Azilect was approved for use as an initial single drug therapy in early Parkinson’s disease. Azilect (rasagiline), a new molecular entity, for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Physical therapy can help strengthen and tone underused muscles, and give rigid muscles a better range of motion.



By: Juliet Cohen

About the Author:

[carpwp:amazon{parkinsons disease}][/carpwp]

Mike asked:


My brother is a psychopath. Both my parents have serious mental health issues; my mom had parkinsons disease and was bipolar and my dad has major depression. I have paranoid schizophrenia.

Alex D asked:


I really truly want to people that are suffering from major illnesses (cancer, heart disease, parkinsons, the list could go on forever). I know donating to charity is one way, and I know it is important, but it just doesn’t seem very personal and you never know where you’re money is really going and im only 17 so im short on cash. So what could I do to help? I want to do something, anything

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder that affects the central nervous system and impairs the motor skills, speech, and other functions of the patient. It is classified in a group of disorders called movement disorders. Parkinson’s disease is formed by an insufficient amount of dopamine in the body. Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are a high level of cognitive dysfunction and subtle language problems. Parkinson’s disease can be both chronic and progressive. The disease is named after physician James Parkinson, an Englishman, who wrote an essay on the disease called “An Essay on the Shaking Palsy” in 1817.

Other symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are tremors, rigidity (which is stiffness), an absence of movement, and the failure of reflexes. Some motor symptoms are shuffling instead of walking normal, turning the entire body at once instead of only the head, a bent over posture and muscle contractions.

Patients suffering from Parkinson’s disease can have a slow reaction time, can have trouble with impulse control, development of dementia, short term memory loss and speech problems. Patients might also suffer from insomnia, impaired vision, dizziness, loss of smell, urinary incontinence and pain in their muscles, joints and tendons.

Causes of Parkinson’s disease can be genetic, as a result of head trauma, drug-induced, and certain toxins too. Other times there are no known causes of Parkinson’s disease in patients.

As of 2008 there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease but there are surgeries and medications that can provide relief from the pain and suffering associated with the disease. One form of treatment is surgery and deep brain stimulation. Deep brain stimulation involved a tool called a brain pacemaker that is placed into the brain. This brain pacemaker sends electrical impulses to specific areas of the brain which provides therapeutic relief to pain for Parkinson’s patients. This treatment for Parkinson’s disease was approved for use nationwide by the Food and Drug Administration in 2002. It was approved for use with tremors in 1997.

Parkinson’s disease is not considered a fatal disease but can lead to death further down the road. Obviously, as with any disease, Parkinson’s disease lowers the life expectancy of its patients. In latter stages of the disease, Parkinson’s may cause choking, pneumonia, and even falls, all of which can cause death.

Many of the cases of Parkinson’s disease can take up to 20 years to progress. There are some cases though where the stages of the disease progress rather quickly and there is no way to determine who slow or fast the disease will progress. With the appropriate treatment, patients with Parkinson’ disease can live comfortable, productive lives for many years following their diagnosis.

There have been thousands of cases of Parkinson’ disease diagnosed over the years but there have been some notable cases as well. They include actor Michael J. Fox, Pope John Paul II, artist Salvador Dali, former United States Attorney General Janet Reno and evangelist Billy Graham. Parkinson’s disease is an incurable but treatable disease once diagnosed and patients of Parkinson’s can be relieved of some of their pain through the treatments available today.

By: Brenda Williams

About the Author:

[carpwp:amazon{parkinsons disease}][/carpwp]

carri s asked:


My mom just found out her brother has a child in foster care as he suffers from severe parkinsons disease and the childs mother did not want him. She would like to know if she has any rights concerning the child as far as adoption, since my uncle is unable to care for him. I would appreciate anybody with knowledge of the law responding. Thanks
p.s the boy is in foster care in Illinois and my mom is in Ohio.