Navigating Life with Parkinson Disease

by Sotirios Parashos, Rosemary Wichman, Todd Melby (Contributor)

Here is a marvelous guide for anyone affected by Parkinson's disease--patients, caregivers, family members, and friends. Containing the most up-to-date information on the disease, one of the most common neurological disorders, it discusses the available treatments and provides practical advice on how to manage the disease in the long term. Emphasizing life-style adjustments that will provide a better quality of life and moderate the burden for patients and their loved ones, the book answers many questions and clarifies misunderstandings regarding the disease. Written by two experts on Parkinson's disease and a freelance journalist, the book is approachable and easily understandable. Question and answer sections are provided, while "hot topics" are highlighted for easy visibility. The authors have also included true patient stories that will both inspire and instruct, and they have addressed several topics often not mentioned in physician-directed disease management, such as how to talk to family and friends about one's life with Parkinson's.


Contents

About the AAN Neurology Now Patient Book Series (Lisa M. Shulman)
Foreword (J. Eric Ahlskog)
Preface

1. Introduction

2. What Is It? Why Me?
What Is It? What Causes Parkinson Disease? What Are the Stages of the Disease?
Who Gets the Disease? Why Me? Is There Help? | The Outlook for Parkinson’s Patients

3. The Motor Symptoms
Tremor. Bradykinesia. Rigidity. Loss of Balance, Freezing, and Falling. Other Motor Symptoms. Motor Symptoms that May Occur as a Complication of Treatment.

4. The Non-Motor Symptoms
Sensory Symptoms. Cognitive Symptoms. Emotional and Psychiatric Symptoms. Sleep. Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction. Skin Problems.

5. Diagnosis
Making and Verifying the Diagnosis. The Role of the Neurologist and the MedicalTeam. Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Diagnosis and Assembling a Team of Experts

6. How Will My Life Change?
Reacting to the Diagnosis. Seeking More Information. Frequently Asked Questions about How to Deal with the Diagnosis of Parkinson Disease. The Next Step.

7. Disease Management: General Principles,
Medications, and Surgery. What Are Our Weapons in Treating Parkinson Disease? What If I Don’t Want to Start Medications Right Away? Medications Brain Surgery for Parkinson Disease

8. Disease Management: Rehabilitation Therapy, Assistive Devices, and Adaptive Equipment
Physical Therapy. Occupational Therapy. Speech Therapy. Assistive Devices and Adaptive Equipment.

9. Disease Management: Specific Symptoms
Managing Tremor, Bradykinesia, and Rigidity. Managing Balance Challenges and Freezing of Gait. Managing Weakness and Fatigue. Managing Dyskinesia, Dystonia, and Wearing Off. Managing Speech and Communication Problems. Managing Excessive Salivation, Drooling, and Thick Secretions. Managing Swallowing Problems. Managing Vision Problems. Managing Difficulties with Bladder Control. Dealing with Loss of Mobility in the Advanced Stages. Dealing with Mild Cognitive Symptoms. Managing Confusion, Hallucinations, and Dementia. Dealing with Apathy, Depression, Impulsivity, and Anxiety. Managing Sleep Changes in Parkinson Disease. Managing Orthostatic Hypotension. Weight Loss. Keeping Skin in Shape. Hospitalization. Elective Surgery. Medications to Avoid .

10. Lifestyle Changes and Disease Management
The Importance of Exercise. Leisure Activities. Stress Management. Driving. Using Complementary Therapies. Spirituality. Travel. The Power of Music and Dance. Getting Involved in the Parkinson’s Community.

11. Research
Why Should I Consider Participating in Research? What Kinds of Research Studies May Be Open to a Person with Parkinson Disease? Informed Consent. Where Can I Learn More?

12. The Care Partner
Coping with Caregiver Stress and Fatigue. Planning for the Future. A Caregiver’s Story: Marilyn. A Caregiver’s Story: Rich.

13. Community Involvement, Advocacy, and Resources
A Passion for Advocacy. A Passion for the Arts and Helping Others. Find Out More.

14. Planning For Your Future: Managing Your Personal Affairs (Murray Sagsveen, and Laurie Hanson)
Your Emergency Notebook. Informal and Formal Arrangements. Durable Power of Attorney. Trusts. Health Care Directives. Guardianship and Conservatorship. Your Will.

Glossary
About the authors and contributors
Index

Genres: Nonfiction, Medical

295 pages, Paperback

First published October 23, 2012

Reviews

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that means death of neurons where dopamine-producing (dopaminergic) neurons of the substantia nigra die prematurely. People with Parkinson’s are deficient in dopamine, and the result is loss of smooth, full-range motion.

A great read for those suffering Parkinson’s and for those who are living with or who is a caregiver to those suffering Parkinson. Navigating Life with Parkinson Disease is an easy read and easy to understand for those with no medical experience.

[Alejandro Teruel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second introductory book on Parkinson Disease that I have read, the first being Nutan Sharma's Parkinson's Disease. Sharma's book is shorter and older, published five years before Parasho's in 2008.

If you are looking for an introduction to understanding and coping with the disease, either of the books will be fine. Navigating Life with Parkinson Disease includes more recent information on medication and deep brain surgery and is, in my opinion, better suited for readers with little or no medical knowledge -if forced to chose between the two books, I would go for Parasho; Sharma's book holds a slight edge for the more medically knowledgeable reader -it includes more careful reviews on the strength of medical research evidence on several aspects of the disease and its treatments.

Navigating life with Parkinson Disease may be skimmed over at a first reading, slowing down and reading in more detail those chapters which you feel are closer to whatever stage or problems are closer to your worries, especially as a caregiver or care partner, as the preferred term in the US now appears to be. It is superior as regards non-motor symptoms (sensory, cognitive, emotional, sleep, skin, autonomous and nervous system dysfunctions and problems), speech therapy, and assistive devices, the importance of exercise and care partner fatigue. Incidentally some of the chapters (particularly the last two chapters on community resources and legal matters) are very geared to a US audience. I also agree with the Goodreads reviewer who finds that the case studies sound stilted and contrived.

All in all, a good introductory book to dip into from time to time if someone close to you suffers from this disease.

[Kerry Browman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease since 2010, by the VA. I found that none of the current medications worked (side effects for me). I currently take pramipexole dihydrochloride three times daily. It isn’t working well neither. I still have some tremors. Was on carbidopa levodopa but only lasted 90 minutes then wore off. Down side of carbidopa is after reaching max dosage it will no longer give relief, nothing was working for me and to make matters worse There has been little if any progress in finding a reliable medical treatment for Parkinson’s disease, I was approved by my neurologist to try feasible alternatives to my current prescribed medication in the hope of improving my quality of life. and I have to say this natural treatment from HEALTHHERBSCLINIC is a 100% game changer for anyone with PD. It has been a complete turnaround with my balance, mobility, double vision, swollen feet, speech and tremors this is the best that I've felt in years. I have stop taking levodopa completely for several months, at least 7 months now, and still feel great. Visit Health Herbs Clinic website healthherbsclinic .com

[Aadhya Advika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I began the Schizophrenia Herbal Treatment from NaturePath Herbal Clinic, and the results have been nothing short of incredible for my condition. After using the treatment for nearly four months, I experienced a significant improvement in my mental clarity and emotional stability.
Symptoms such as hallucinations, disorganised thinking, and mood disturbances gradually subsided. I now feel more balanced, focused, and in control of my daily life. My overall mental well-being has greatly improved.
I highly recommend reaching out to NaturePath Herbal Clinic through their website: www.naturepathherbalclinic.com Their natural approach truly made a difference for me.

[Victoria Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was diagnosed of Parkinson disease 4 years ago,I started azilect,then mirapex as the disease progressed in January last year,and I started on Parkinson disease Herbal medicine from ultimate health home,few months into the treatment I made a significant recovery, almost all my symptoms are gone,great improvement with my movement and balance, it's been a year and life has been so good,contact them at ultimatehealthhome@gmail.com

[David Wisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stopped most of my Parkinson’s disease medications due to severe side effects and I started on herbal treatments from Natural Herbs Centre ( natural herbs centre . com), the treatment has made a very huge difference for me. My symptoms including body weakness and Swallowing difficulties disappeared after few months on the treatment. I am getting active again since starting this treatment.

[Don Rohrbacher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Every aspect of the disease is covered. This book can help you talk more intelligently with your doctor

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight forward explanation of symptoms , diagnosis, and considerations of PD

[Heather De armas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good background information on the disease but it assumes you are already taking medication. A lot of detail about reactions to medications which really begs the question: why start.

I read this to be better informed for my step-father and it helped a bit but also did not delve into many alternative remedies.

It was a good primer but I still feel I need more.

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Basic--if you have never had long term care issues this is a good start. Allows for what needs to be done to manage early stages-- not as helpful for discussing coping of the deterioration over time and possible coping strategies. Usually first person narratives are interesting but these feel stilted.

[Janet Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative. Helpful in dealing with this awful disease. Does give one some hope.