Tuesday, December 30, 2008

parkinson's and eye blinking

Parkinson’s disease does not affect the eyes’ ability to see but there can be some eye-related concern.

Due to the mask-like face that some patients can experience, there can be a decreased rate of automatic blinking .

Though Eye movement disorders do not always cause functional problem many people as they age may not bother.

However,lack of eye coordination, people experience double vision when looking in certain direction. Some people who have this problem do not complain of double vision, but say that their eyes tire quickly when they read

I had cataract removal surgery in 2001. As the result my cornea is wide and thin besides I have dry eyes(no tears). I am not a candidate to do lasar surgery. Further I have parkinson’s disease. I use eye drops 4 times a day to clean my dry eyes as it relieves eye tiredness and is helpful for my vision. Eye blinking 3-4 times a day help you increase your rate of automatic blinking thus you have better vision from tiredness.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

What exercise ideal for PD?

A combination of stretching, weightlifting, and cardiovascular exercises is ideal. Exactly which and how much will depend upon your own abilities. Refer to your qualified physical therapist. The PT can assess your strength and abilities and help you design the best possible program for your individual needs.

As for me I use to work two hours daily in the Gym Fitness Centre. I take part in classes : Body combat, yoga, spinning and weightlifting. I have two PT trainers who guide me. They design the best possible program suitable for me., a combination of stretching,weightlifting , and cardiovascular exercises.


ahimsajackJoined: 25 Apr 2007Posts: 652Location: Hudson Valley
Posted: Fri Jan 16, 2009 12:17 pm Post subject:

Teo, I have long admired your vigor and positive outlook. Certainly any exercises we can do have got to be beneficial not only physically but for our self worth as well. John Ball runs marathons and takes long bicycle rides even though he has had PD about 30 years. I actually believe that what you are doing with your exercises helps to postpone the more serious aspects of this beast. I find that I can walk about three miles, and do calisthenics. That is my limit, but it helps. Shanti Jack

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Breathing difficulty with PD

Breathing difficulties with PD i.e tightness and contraction in the throat weaken muscles that control breathing .The breathing is not in full i.e the chest wall doesn't move i.e reducing sense of smell that dampen the appetites contributing the malnutrition.Therefore people have PD find difficulty/ reducing sniffing i.e desperately difficulties breathing large amount of air. There are 40% at the older age die on pneumonia worsen made by PD itself.In general breathing problems in PD are not prominent, although late in the disease we worry about immobility and swallowing dysfunction leading to aspiration pneumonia.

Breathing exercise help me strength and flexibility during my PT training and class exercise program in the gym . My trainers are pleased with my progress. I am pleased that I am able to do posture balance in my yoga classes.

http://www.medhelp.org/search?query=breathing+and+parkinson&camp=search1

Shoes for parkinson's patients

There are shoes helpful for parkinson's patients:
It helps you walk upright and swing your arm whilst go jogging.
1.Improve posture and Giat.
2. Activates neglected muscles
3.Tones and shape the body.
4. Can help with back,hip, leg and foot problems.
5.Reduce stress and knees and hip joint.
I am putting on "MBT" shoes
I am sure there are shoes besides "MBT" suitable for Parkinson's patient.
However it is individual choice.

difficulty swallowing

Drooling (or sialorrhea) is common in PD.
For the most part the cause is not increased saliva production but slowed reflex in automatically swallowing the natural saliva that accumulated in the mouth throughout the day.You see, a person without PD does not even notice that saliva is constantly being produced (it is done so to lubricate the whole mouth for talking, eating)
This is because after a certain volume is accumulated, this is automatically swallowed without even thinking about it.
But in PD, this automatic swallowing is sometimes lost, thus the saliva pools and drools on the side of the mouth.

I have experience saliva drooling due to poor automatic swallowing of my throat as the result I feel uncomfortable.
I some times lost appetite and difficulty to swallow either to eat or drink as the saliva is constantly being produced. I have a feeling that food or liquid is sticking in the throat during or after a meal. As the result I have coughing or choking

http://www.patientslikeme.com/forum/show/7011?post_id=63037#63037

http://www.patientslikeme.com/forum/show/7011?post_id=63037#63037
http://www.patientslikeme.com/forum/show/26596?post_id=337816#337816

signs of alzheimer's disease

The seven warning signs of Alzheimer's disease are:
1. Asking the same question over and over again.
2. Repeating the same story, word for word, again and again.
3. Forgetting how to cook, or how to make repairs, or how to play cards - activities that were previously done with ease and regularity.
4. Losing one's ability to pay bills or balance one's checkbook.
5. Getting lost in familiar surroundings, or misplacing household objects.
6. Neglecting to bathe, or wearing the same clothes over and over again, while insisting that they have taken a bath or that their clothes are still clean.
7. Relying on someone else, such as a spouse, to make decisions or answer questions they previously would have handled themselves.
Updated Oct. 16, 2008
WebMD Public Information from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Saturday, December 20, 2008

pilates good for you

Parkinson's disease is progressive disease that impairs muscles and movement. There are medications that ease the symptoms.

Pilates could also improve your body stiffness,rigidity caused by the disease.

Pilates is a series of controlled movements in which the muscles are moved inch by inch. The small movements could make a big difference for people with Parkinson's disease.
There are a growing number of Parkinson's patients who are regularly doing Pilates to improve symptoms of the disease such as tremors, slowness of movement, poor balance and rigidity. Pilates exercises do not strain the body, so it works well for people who don't exercise at all.
I take part pilate when I was diagnosed at an early stage of Parkinson’s. I really work on me as it does not strain the body. It works on breathing and do wonder on your core muscles movement besides pilate equipments.

http://www.patientslikeme.com/treatments/show/1276-pilates

Antixodant and you

One of the causes of Parkinson's disease is over in oxidative damage and low in antioxidant.
-- A natural antioxidant may slow the progression of Parkinson's disease in men, say researchers from the MassGeneral Institute for Neurodegenerative Disease (MGH-MIND) and Harvard School of Public Health.
Scientists examined data from an earlier study and found recently diagnosed Parkinson's patients with the highest levels of urate, an antioxidant, had a significantly slower rate of disease progression during the two-year study period.
Some mineral such as Copper, Selenium and manganese are an important part in antioxidant enzyme production ( SOD or superoxide dismutase) which is a protective mechanism.
http://psychcentral.com/news/2008/04/15/natural-antioxidant-slows-parkinsons/2152....

Is Levodopa slowdown the progression of Parkinson's

Although there is no medication currently available that can cure or slow down the progression of Parkinson's disease, several medications are available that can help relieve symptoms of this condition. Levodopa is the most common medication used for treating Parkinson's disease.
Levodopa clearly has changed the lives of millions of PD patients. They now live longer and more rewarding lives and have much less and slower disability compared to before its availability. This positive effect is felt for many years...even up to 11-15 years and beyond. However, levodopa is not a cure. It does not relieve all symptoms. Not all patients respond to it beautifully, although most do respond well. It also has it side effects.
http://parkinsons-disease.emedtv.com/parkinson's-disease/parkinson's-disease-medications.html

Proper diet

PD is a complicated disease, that affect each person differently,but there are needs for nutrition to sustain the body and stay healthy.
Though there are no special diet required for people with parkinson's.

With the proper diet, our bodies work more efficiently, we have more energy, and Parkinson's disease medications will work properly.


Fiber Fiber is very important because some Parkinson's patients have problems with constipation.

Protein "...Protein can interfere with the uptake of levodopa into the body and the brain and, as a result, reduce the effectiveness of the drug..."

Water Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day helps to flush impurities through your system and also softens the bowel to combat constipation.


There are some possible causes due to medication they have nauses, loss of appetite, depression, eating very slowly. fear of choking - difficulty swallowing.
Therefore consult the dietitan to optimize nutrition to determine whether any of the above conditions occur.

Proper diet help me to slowdown Parkinson’s disease as I use to consult the detitan twice in a year by taking blood test on my antioxidant; vitamin and mineral level. The detitan optimizemy nutritional level by supplements.

Choice ?

PD patients have to choose an exercises that gets their muscles moving i.e stretching in order to overcome the muscles stiffness, rigidity and slow movement.A physiotherapy, doctor or personnel trainer may be consulted as how to start on an exercise routine. When doing these exercises patients should not experience an pain.
Who do you prefer to start an exercise routine a personnel trainer,doctor or physiotherapy?

It depends on what stages of Parkinson's and the preference of individual choice.

Friday, December 19, 2008

Is parkinson an expensive disease?

As parkinson's is a chronic disease. It is not ageing disease
PD patients are different from what we define themself as "patient" i.e only during acute, self-limited illness or injury that temporarily impact their lives as an inconvenience or comfort.
It is estimated out of 2-3% at the age above 50 years old are Parkinson disease suffers. Unfortunately we are shortage of PD specialists. As the result some are wrongly diagnosed as ageing and no medications are given to slowdown the disease.

Theref0re Parkinson is an expensive disease.

The reasons are as follows:

The treatment of the symptoms of PD is complex for several reasons.

First, PD is a progressive disease, getting worse over time, so that the medications and doses that work well early in the disease are insufficient later on.

Second, the most effective drugs have long-term side effects that are troubling and difficult to control.

Third, there are a lot of different treatment options, and finding the right combination can be time consuming.

Fourth, the PD patient is likely being treated for other conditions associated with advancing age, and these conditions or their treatment may interfere with treatment of PD.

Finally, a major treatment option for late-stage PD is surgery, but the risks of surgery are significant, and determining when and what kind of surgery to perform is a complicated decison.


Since PD therapy continues to undergo rapid advances, it may include specialists of speech/language, a geriatric medicine to coordinate other medical and social issues, a neuropsychologist for expertise on cognitive aspects of PD and a neurosurgeon when there is necessary.



http://www.answers.com/topic/parkinson-s-disease

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

guidlines for parkinson's patient

Consult your physician if symptoms of Parkinson's disease appear, if symptoms get worse, or if new symptoms occur include:
Involuntary movements
Nausea and vomiting
Dizziness
Changes in alertness, behavior or mood
Severe confusion or disorientation
Delusional behavior
Hallucinations
Loss of mental functionsAlso call your health care provider if the condition gets worse and the caregiver is unable to care for the person at home.

Riding the waves of PD?

You are right Parkinson's symptoms come and go. It is a chronic disease. It is not" going away" disease
Doctor make difficulty to diagnose them especailly at the early stage of Parkinson's.
Patients have to learn on how to manage the movement disorders disease . There are mental and physical work, the symptoms are "not going away "and they come and go. They affect our family lifestyle. It is like we are on " long march" and are endless. We are Riding the waves of PD

dry eye or blurred vision

People living with Parkinson’s often have trouble with their eyes

Parkinson's disease can short-circuit nerve signals between your eyes and your brain. It can so impair the muscles and nerves that control eye movement.

I have dry eyes/without tears that caused my eye tired and sensitivity to light when I am driving or reading.

To alleviate eye problems I use more light when you read besides I use tears eye drop daily

Dry eyes are caused by a lack of tears. Tears are necessary for the normal lubrication of your eyes and to wash away particles and foreign bodies

It's hard to distinguish between Parkinson's disease-related eye problems and natural, age-related changes in vision.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

What are the inital signs of parkinson's disease?

one of the first signs of Parkinsons
'Loss of Sense of Smell/tastes: you lost your appetite and don't feel to eat even there is flavour , salty or spicy on food.

Is MRI safe for Parkinson's patient?

An MRI is not harmful. A person just can't have any metal objects on them such as jewelry or belt buckles or due to the magnetism it can be dangerous (the heavy magnetism will pull metal objects towards the machine, its perfectly safe for people, the only people who can't undergo it are people who have any form of metal implant.

Diet and Dopamine

Dear Dr. Chew,

How big a role does diet play in the bodies production of dopamine? Are there foods I should and should not be eating. I am currently on 8 mg Requip 2mg, 1 Jumex 5mg, 2 Sinemet CR per day .

Monday, December 15, 2008

Have you experience one sided near paralysis?

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/show/135

Muay Thai

It is a good exercise for Parkinson Patient.
I am taking this Box and Kick Exercises (Thai Boxing) for two and half years in my fitness centre besides body combat. I engage a trainer to guide me two times a week and each training last for a hour.
It is advisable to engage a trainer as PD patients would find difficulty to do box and kick exercises as it involves your body balance and mobility. You needendurance and flexibility.
After years spending three hours in gym daily I do not look like Parkinson patient was told by my doctor ,friends and fitness members.
I am a PD fighter and hero. I battle with Parkinson for two and half years. The credits are my consistencies, preservation,endurance and discipline towards exercises and medications.

Vivid dreaming

Vivid dreaming
http://www.patientslikeme.com/parkinsons/symptoms/show/528-vivid-dreams

Digestive Problem

This digestive problems are caused by medications.
I am problem too.
In order to help my digestive function
!.I do exercises at gym centre daily (2-3 hours)
2 Drink 2 litre water daily and take fruits, veg in meal.
3. It I still find difficulty I take Senoko digestive fiber 6 doses at one time a day

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Which one have a greater impact in your life?

Dear Dr.Chew,

It is increasingly recognised that the non-motor effects of PD including depression and cognitive dysfunction can have a greater impact on patients' quality of life than the movement symptoms. Do you agree

People with Parkinson's diseaseshare two very basic emotions - fear and frustration. We arefrustrated that we can no longer do all the things we used to do,or do them as well as we used to, and we are afraid that we willcontinue to get worse and be able to do less and less. Thesefeelings are present no matter what symptoms are manifesting inyour body. Manyconservative therapists will either ignore the emotional state oftheir patient, concentrating solely on the physical, or prescribeanti-depressants. The former exacerbates our frustration because wereally do want to talk about it and find strategies to overcome it;the latter merely covers up an emotional situation that can be usedto bring about a healthy life change.
Emotional counselors of many modalities can be of enormous help tous. People who have or are working with me have found help from psychologists, trained counselors, Pranic healers, hypnotherapists,ministers of religion experienced in counseling, flower essence counselors, and many others.

Facial expressionless with Parkinson's

Facial expressionless with Parkinson'sBecause the facial muscles also become rigid, people with Parkinson's disease may look expressionless, as though their face is a mask.As the disease progresses, the mouth may hang open, and the patient may drool or choke because the muscle stiffness progresses to the throat and makes swallowing difficult. Other symptoms include abdominal cramps, rapid speech with little expression in the voice, problems with sleeping, the inability to control the flow of urine (incontinence), and constipation.Some people have difficulty with voice and speech as don't talk loud enough. They have had shortness of breath as they have difficulty monitoring how loud they are speaking. This is one of the main symptoms of Parkinson's diseases. Therefore people with Parkinson's develop facial expressionless..I am one of the unfortunate patient with facial expressionless that look disinterested or unhappy even though this not truly how I feel. There are way to help you with increase your muscle around the mouth. Exercise with tongue in your mouth to massage your muscle around the mouth. Blowing air deeply into your balloon to increase your muscle around mouth
3 people marked this post as helpful.

Muscle fascia

Muscle fascia and parkinson’s
http://www.newfacesofparkinsons.com/monica.shtml

Falling backwards and off balance

you have to take more stronger doses to offset medication wearing off.

Walk with support in water pool from front and backwards several times help you to strengthen your muscle movement.

Deep breathing exercises and mediate yourself either sitting on the floor or standing against the wall help you to balance your off postures
http://www.webmd.com/parkinsons-disease/guide/preventing-falls

Reading

I have difficulty driving as I have poor vision.
It occurs to me after my medication for two years.

I am fortunate I do not have difficulty reading.
This is the sideeffect of the medication.
Learing to deep breathing and mediation help you concentrate your reading.
http://www.thecni.org/reviews/17-fall05-p12-politzer.pdf

Numbness of fingers

I have numbness of fingers too

It occurs when there is a cold place but is in few second
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/295715
NUMBNESS OF TOES AND PARKINSON'S

http://www.patientslikeme.com/symptoms/show/458-numbness-toes

Masked Face

People with masked faces is a signal for neurological conditions and emotions disorder People with masked faces is expressionless appearance of individuals with disorder . There are ways to diminish masked faces as follows:1 MST training (muscle strength training) for people with masked faces to improve respiratory strength and mobility of muscle around the mouth.2. Blowing air into a balloon help to relax your stiffness and rigidity of muscle around your mouth.3. Gargle yourself with water in your throat and blow air through it without swallowing it ,by twisting your head left and right, up and down to increases your facial muscle strength to relieve and improve people with problems of respiratory and swallowing

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Attention deficit disorders

Most parkinson’s patients have deficit awareness of the parkinson’s diseases without acknowledge the diseases.

deficit awareness/disorders of Parkinson’s are as follows:
Lack of attention to details
Failure to complete tasks
Easily distracted
Poor listening skills
Hyperactivity
Fidgeting
Disruptive
Moves constantly
Talks excessively
Interrupts others


Attention Deficit disorder is a condition in which an individual exhibits a decreased attention span. He or she can become easily distracted, and have difficulty focusing on tasks. ADD is often associated with hyperactivity -- fidgeting, excessive talking, excessive activity level, impulsive and disruptive behavior.
ADD has also become a catch-all classification for a group of symptoms describing undesirable behavior

Do you have the symptoms?
Most of the patients, families and caregivers do not understand the cause of the symptoms that affecting their lifestyle. Few articles have mentioned

Friday, December 12, 2008

Comment on my blog

Though he was Chinese educated and determined to write this medical book in English from general knowledge together with research from medical websites, believes that his self diagnosis and suffering is more accurate than analysts from medical practitioners.
T Q Tan Kim Yam
Businessman

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Is parkinson Disease curable?

Anonymous
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 4:51 am Post subject: Is Parkinson Disease curable ?

Dear Doctor, I know that PD is incurable, but I have also heard of cases of terminal cancer being miraculously reversed and cured. Is PD really that hopeless that there has never been a documented miracle cure ? warm regards, Gerald
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Dr. FernandezJoined: 20 Jan 2007Posts: 90
Posted: Tue Dec 02, 2008 10:23 pm Post subject:

As far as what we know about PD, it is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. However, not everyone is devastated by the illness. Some have it mild, and others have it more severe. If a PD patient miraculously recovers, my scientific mind would tell me that the patient probably did not have PD in the first place but one of the mimickers; but my Catholic faith would tell me that I should ask that patient if s/he asked for the intercession of one of the pre-saint martyrs so we can write the Pope about this miracle. Yours,_________________Hubert H. Fernandez
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