Substantial Matters: Life & Science of Parkinson's

Besides being a movement disorder and affecting other physical functions, such as the digestive system, blood pressure control, and sleep, Parkinson's disease (PD) can alter cognition, other mental functions, and mood. Apathy can be part of the disease, resulting in a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or motivation. It can result in a vicious cycle, decreasing one's motivation to exercise and follow m...

Las investigaciones han encontrado que 3 de cada 4 personas con la enfermedad de Parkinson no reciben medicamentos a tiempo cuando están internadas en el hospital. Cuando esto ocurre, 2 de cada 3 personas experimentarán complicaciones innecesarias.   Con visitas hospitalarias más a menudo y una alta sensibilidad a la frecuencia y dosificación de los medicamentos para la enfermedad de Parkinson, la...

A common misconception is that palliative care implies hospice, when in fact, palliative care can and should be a component of the treatment of any serious disease, including Parkinson's. The word "palliation" means providing relief from pain and other symptoms, with a goal of improving quality of life. Individuals receiving palliative care also may receive other treatments, with curative intent i...

Aunque los medicamentos suelen ayudar a minimizar las fluctuaciones motoras de la enfermedad de Parkinson, hay ocasiones en las que la medicación no es suficiente y se plantean opciones de tratamiento avanzadas.   Es importante explorar las opciones quirúrgicas con su especialista en la EP si esto es algo que puede considerar. La cirugía a menudo se reserva para aquellos que han optimizado y agota...

Historically and even today, Parkinson's disease (PD) is a clinical diagnosis, wherein a physician observes signs of the disease and an individual reports symptoms. In routine practice, there is no blood test, other biomarker, or machine to make the diagnosis or to track progression of the disease. But given advances in computing power and through computer analysis of massive amounts of data, arti...

"Off" episodes can become a troubling aspect of Parkinson's disease (PD), especially as the disease progresses. These are periods in the day when the effect of levodopa medication wears off, either suddenly or gradually, with a return of motor or non-motor symptoms.   The good news is that there are several ways to try to minimize "off" episodes, including medication timing, medication adjustments...

La visión es uno de los sentidos que tenemos que está conectado directamente con el sistema nervioso central. Cuando hay alguna enfermedad neurológica o algún problema que afecta esta área del cerebro, podemos esperar cambios en la visión.   En este episodio, hablamos con el doctor Juan Ramírez-Castañeda, profesor asociado de neurología en la University of Texas at San Antonio y director del progr...

With Parkinson's disease (PD), it's essential to know where to find a movement disorder neurologist, a physical or occupational therapist, social services to help with daily activities, and agencies that can advise on elder issues. When you don't know that certain services even exist, looking for them is impossible. This is where the Parkinson's Foundation Helpline can be an essential resource. He...

An early Parkinson's diagnosis is the first step to getting Parkinson's symptoms under control and living well with Parkinson's. Getting a PD diagnosis is also one of the first obstacles many people in the Black PD community experience.   Research has shown racial disparities in the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's – finding that Black people with PD are diagnosed at a later disease stage th...

Parkinson's disease (PD) depression may be a biological part of the disease itself, resulting from PD-related changes in brain chemistry. Untreated depression and other mood disorders can have a greater impact on well-being than even common motor symptoms.   Depression affects at least 50 percent of people with PD sometime in the course of their disease, but it is often under-recognized and, there...

Parkinson's disease (PD) affects several automatically regulated bodily functions, such as digestion, bowel activity, sweating, and blood pressure control, together known as autonomic functions. Low blood pressure, or hypotension, is common in PD, and high blood pressure (hypertension) can also occur. They may be a result of the disease itself or be caused by some of the medications to treat it. H...

Researchers are accumulating evidence about how the environment affects our health and our diseases – both our internal and external environments. A significant part of our internal environment is the gut microbiome, that is, the bacteria, fungi, and viruses that naturally inhabit our intestinal tracts. The external environment is everything around us that we eat, inhale, or come into contact with...

Adult children of a parent with Parkinson's disease (PD) often want to help their parent but do not know how to begin. If they get involved early, they can detect changes that need to be addressed later on. A good first step is learning about the disease, its symptoms, treatment, and course. From there, they may want to become an active part of the support team that each person with PD should have...

The news of a Parkinson's diagnosis can be overwhelming. So many questions arise, including how it will change the person's life, what lies ahead, and what to do first. Social workers can be a vital resource in helping a newly diagnosed person, care partner, and family navigate the road ahead, as well as provide ongoing support through the course of the disease. They are the health professionals w...

Medical problems often do not follow a schedule, and it can be frustrating to get them addressed when the next doctor appointment is weeks or months away. It's important to have a plan about what to do for support between clinic appointments. A good first step is to discuss the issue with your health care team and to arrange to have a designated person or point of contact should such a situation a...

Ser trabajadora social en una clínica significa ser parte del equipo médico y brindar atención a las personas que viven con Parkinson y a sus familias.   En este episodio, hablamos con Adriana González, trabajadora social en el Centro para el Parkinson y Otros Trastornos del Movimiento de la University of California, San Diego. Como trabajadora social, Adriana ayuda a las familias y a los cuidador...

Caregiving can be an intensive endeavor, not to mention the physical, mental, emotional, and even financial aspects of it. Just as people with Parkinson's disease need support services, so, too, do their care partners. In this episode, Social Worker Cara Iyengar, MSW, LISW, the coordinator of the Parkinson's Foundation Center of Excellence at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, discusses some of...

Join community members from across the country for this virtual experience that allows you to move for Parkinson's from wherever you are! This program will help you get motivated and kick off your 60 minute walk. Remember, you can walk, run, hike your favorite route, or simply just listen to the Moving Day at Home program! We encourage everyone to share photos of their experience by posting to you...

Cuando uno piensa en la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP), es fácil asociarla más con los síntomas motores, como la rigidez o el temblor; pero también existen síntomas no motores, como los cambios de estado de ánimo, la ansiedad o la depresión.   En este episodio, hablamos con la doctora Elsa Baena, neuropsicóloga clínica en el Barrow Neurological Institute, Centro de Excelencia de la Parkinson's Found...

This episode explores parkinsonism, a group of conditions with symptoms similar to those of Parkinson's disease, itself a neurological degenerative brain disorder resulting from neurons in the brain failing to make enough dopamine. It is characterized by a loss of motor control, including stiffness, slow movements, resting tremors, and postural instability. Plus, non-motor symptoms of depression,...

Past podcasts have given glimpses into the broad range of programs and initiatives that the Parkinson's Foundation has developed and supports. But to give a better understanding of the Foundation's mission, its operation, reach, and funding, we spoke with John Lehr, its president and CEO. He discussed the reasons for the merger of the National Parkinson Foundation and the Parkinson's Disease Found...

Parkinson's disease (PD) can be an impediment to certain activities, but with proper planning, people can still pursue many of the things they have always enjoyed. One of those things is travel – to see family, visit friends, or explore new sights and cultures. One key to enjoying travel is planning. Pay special attention to issues that are known to affect how you feel and function.    Packing ext...

People often view Parkinson's disease (PD) in terms of its motor symptoms, including slow movements, tremors, and stiffness. Often, these symptoms can be controlled with levodopa or other dopaminergic drugs. But just as troubling or more so to the person with PD are the non-motor symptoms of nausea, constipation, low blood pressure, mood disturbances, sleep problems, and more. In this episode, we...

As with many medical conditions, people with Parkinson's disease (PD) may experience disparities in access to care, in diagnosis, treatments, and ancillary care. These disparities may be based on age, gender, race, financial situation, language barriers, and geographic location, among other factors. Dr. Lynda Nwabuobi, now a movement disorders specialist at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Park...

Many people with Parkinson's disease (PD) continue to work, socialize, and enjoy life, making accommodations as necessary to fit the disease into their lifestyles. And while no one would choose to have PD, some people have even found or created benefits of having it. One of them is Barry Blaustein, an award-winning Hollywood writer, director, and producer, who wrote several of Eddie Murphy's movie...