Rehabilitation therapy enhances the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease. A program of physical therapy and occupational therapy can help people learn movement strategies:
How to roll over and get out of bed more easily
How to rise from a chair or get out of a car
Therapists sometimes suggest simple devices to assist with daily activities, such as:
Shower grab bars
Shower stools
Elevated toilet seats
Occupational therapists and physical therapists have experience finding ways to help people button shirts, cook and generally keep their lives going. They know about special kinds of utensils that help keep food on a spoon or a fork. Even people with serious tremor, slowness or rigidity can use these utensils to feed themselves without making a mess.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Sunday, February 3, 2008
Parkinsonism
Any person who has the signs and symptoms characteristic of Parkinson’s disease is said to have parkinsonism, but not every person with parkinsonism has Parkinson’s disease, it's only one of the possibilities.
Patients and their families need to understand parkinsonism, because some 20 to 25 percent of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease will eventually be discovered to have some other form of parkinsonism.
Parkinsonism may look like Parkinson’s disease, but over time it does not act like it.
For this reason, if you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease it is important to see a neurologist who has experience diagnosing and treating this disorder.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Patients and their families need to understand parkinsonism, because some 20 to 25 percent of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease will eventually be discovered to have some other form of parkinsonism.
Parkinsonism may look like Parkinson’s disease, but over time it does not act like it.
For this reason, if you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease it is important to see a neurologist who has experience diagnosing and treating this disorder.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis
It is difficult to diagnose Parkinson’s disease in the early stages. Early on, Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed almost primarily by its symptoms, and studies indicate that physicians make an incorrect initial diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease in between 10% and 40% of cases. Blood tests are not helpful for diagnosis.
Parkinson’s disease is just one of several neurologic movement disorders that produce similar symptoms.
It is important that the physician you are seeing has experience with all of the different disorders that can masquerade as Parkinson’s disease.
In some of these diseases people quickly become totally disabled; in others, the disease progresses extremely slowly; and in yet others, illness is chronic (always present) and may have more severe symptoms as time goes on. Because the natural history, or progression, of these diseases varies greatly, proper diagnosis is crucial. People need to know which disease they have.
The Neurologic Examination
When performing a neurologic examination to evaluate a patient with a movement disorder, the doctor takes a medical history and performs a physical examination. The doctor asks the patient and the family members or friends about symptoms and observes the patient, asking him or her to walk around the room, sit down, stand up, turn around, and so on.
Diagnostic Tests
Unfortunately, there is no diagnostic test that can confirm Parkinson’s disease. Laboratory testing of the blood of patients with the symptoms typical of Parkinson’s disease only rarely uncovers any abnormality.
Electroencephalograms (EEGs) record some aspects of brain electrical activity, but they are not effective in spotting Parkinson’s disease.
Important Roles of Glutathione
Fight against oxidative cell damage (Free Radicals)• Protein Synthesis• Amino Acid transport• Cellular detoxification• Immune system enhancement• Enzyme activation• Fight Inflammation• ATP (energy) production
Our cells are constantly under attack by Free Radicals, which can cause a reduction of our cells ability to function optimally.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Parkinson’s disease is just one of several neurologic movement disorders that produce similar symptoms.
It is important that the physician you are seeing has experience with all of the different disorders that can masquerade as Parkinson’s disease.
In some of these diseases people quickly become totally disabled; in others, the disease progresses extremely slowly; and in yet others, illness is chronic (always present) and may have more severe symptoms as time goes on. Because the natural history, or progression, of these diseases varies greatly, proper diagnosis is crucial. People need to know which disease they have.
The Neurologic Examination
When performing a neurologic examination to evaluate a patient with a movement disorder, the doctor takes a medical history and performs a physical examination. The doctor asks the patient and the family members or friends about symptoms and observes the patient, asking him or her to walk around the room, sit down, stand up, turn around, and so on.
Diagnostic Tests
Unfortunately, there is no diagnostic test that can confirm Parkinson’s disease. Laboratory testing of the blood of patients with the symptoms typical of Parkinson’s disease only rarely uncovers any abnormality.
Electroencephalograms (EEGs) record some aspects of brain electrical activity, but they are not effective in spotting Parkinson’s disease.
Important Roles of Glutathione
Fight against oxidative cell damage (Free Radicals)• Protein Synthesis• Amino Acid transport• Cellular detoxification• Immune system enhancement• Enzyme activation• Fight Inflammation• ATP (energy) production
Our cells are constantly under attack by Free Radicals, which can cause a reduction of our cells ability to function optimally.
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Parkinson Disease Symptom
The following table lists some of the early signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease:
-Change in facial expression (staring, lack of blinking)
-Failure to swing one arm when walking
-Flexion (stooped) posture
-"Frozen" painful shoulder
-Limping or dragging of one leg
-Numbness, tingling, achiness or discomfort of the neck or limbs
-Softness of the voice
-Subjective sensation of internal trembling
-Resting tremor
The characteristic symptoms of moderate Parkinson's disease can be remembered with the acronym TRAP:
T
Tremor
Involuntary trembling of the limbs
R
Rigidity
Stiffness of the muscles
A
Akinesia
Lack of movement or slowness in initiating and maintaining movement
P
Postural instability
Characteristic bending or flexion of the body, associated with difficulty in balance and disturbances in gait
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
-Change in facial expression (staring, lack of blinking)
-Failure to swing one arm when walking
-Flexion (stooped) posture
-"Frozen" painful shoulder
-Limping or dragging of one leg
-Numbness, tingling, achiness or discomfort of the neck or limbs
-Softness of the voice
-Subjective sensation of internal trembling
-Resting tremor
The characteristic symptoms of moderate Parkinson's disease can be remembered with the acronym TRAP:
T
Tremor
Involuntary trembling of the limbs
R
Rigidity
Stiffness of the muscles
A
Akinesia
Lack of movement or slowness in initiating and maintaining movement
P
Postural instability
Characteristic bending or flexion of the body, associated with difficulty in balance and disturbances in gait
Click here for more about Glutathione and its benefits to our body.
Cause of Parkinson Disease
Although Parkinson’s disease can occur from viral infections or exposure to environmental toxins, such as pesticides (gardeners and farmers are more prone to Parkinson's disease).
The causes of the majority of cases are not well known. Scientists suspect that oxidative damage to neurons in the substantia nigra could well be one of the major causes, particularly due to the depletion of the antioxidants glutathione.
People who sustain substantial head injuries face an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease years later.
The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown.
Many researchers believe that several factors combined are involved: free radicals, accelerated aging, environmental toxins, and genetic predisposition.
It may be that free radicals—unstable and potentially damaging molecules that lack on electron—are involved in the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells.
Free radicals add an electron by reacting with nearby molecules in a process called oxidation, which can damage nerve cells.
Chemicals called antioxidants normally protect cells from oxidative stress and damage. If antioxidative action fails to protect dopamine-producing nerve cells, they could be damaged and, subsequently, Parkinson’s disease could develop.
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.
Exposure to an environmental toxin, such as a pesticide, that inhibits dopamine production and produces free radicals and oxidation damage may be involved.
The causes of the majority of cases are not well known. Scientists suspect that oxidative damage to neurons in the substantia nigra could well be one of the major causes, particularly due to the depletion of the antioxidants glutathione.
People who sustain substantial head injuries face an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease years later.
The cause of Parkinson's disease is unknown.
Many researchers believe that several factors combined are involved: free radicals, accelerated aging, environmental toxins, and genetic predisposition.
It may be that free radicals—unstable and potentially damaging molecules that lack on electron—are involved in the degeneration of dopamine-producing cells.
Free radicals add an electron by reacting with nearby molecules in a process called oxidation, which can damage nerve cells.
Chemicals called antioxidants normally protect cells from oxidative stress and damage. If antioxidative action fails to protect dopamine-producing nerve cells, they could be damaged and, subsequently, Parkinson’s disease could develop.
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.
Exposure to an environmental toxin, such as a pesticide, that inhibits dopamine production and produces free radicals and oxidation damage may be involved.
Treatment for Parkinson’s disease
The nutritional treatment for Parkinson’s disease is still an uncharted territory.
The most promising approach appears to be the use of antioxidant to slow the oxidation and damage to the substantia nigra.
It’s possible that additional nutritional approaches may be found in the future. Those who exercise regularly early in their adult life have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Over the past few decades, doctors have made important advances in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with pharmaceutical medicines.
Improving the Antioxidant SystemOf all the nutritional treatments available for Parkinson’s disease, antioxidant appear to be the most promising choices to prevent or slow the progression of this condition.
Individuals whose diets include plenty of healthy foods containing antioxidant are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.
Patients should consume foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that contain glutathione or can help produce it.
Cyanohydroxybutene, a chemical found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, is also thought to increase glutathione levels.
High intake of dairy products may lead to a higher incidence of Parkinson’s disease.
The following antioxidant may be helpful in addition to standard pharmaceutical therapy.
Your health practitioner may also suggest intravenous, intramuscular, or aerosol administration of glutathione supplements for increased effectiveness.
The most promising approach appears to be the use of antioxidant to slow the oxidation and damage to the substantia nigra.
It’s possible that additional nutritional approaches may be found in the future. Those who exercise regularly early in their adult life have a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Over the past few decades, doctors have made important advances in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease with pharmaceutical medicines.
Improving the Antioxidant SystemOf all the nutritional treatments available for Parkinson’s disease, antioxidant appear to be the most promising choices to prevent or slow the progression of this condition.
Individuals whose diets include plenty of healthy foods containing antioxidant are less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.
Patients should consume foods, such as fruits and vegetables, that contain glutathione or can help produce it.
Cyanohydroxybutene, a chemical found in broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage, is also thought to increase glutathione levels.
High intake of dairy products may lead to a higher incidence of Parkinson’s disease.
The following antioxidant may be helpful in addition to standard pharmaceutical therapy.
Your health practitioner may also suggest intravenous, intramuscular, or aerosol administration of glutathione supplements for increased effectiveness.
Glutathione -powerful antioxidant found within every cell
Glutathione - or L Glutathione - is a powerful antioxidant found within every cell. Glutathione plays a role in nutrient metabolism, and regulation of cellular events (including gene expression, DNA and protein synthesis, cell growth, and immune response.
This antioxidant, made from the combination of three amino acids cysteine, glutamate, and glycine, forms part of the powerful natural antioxidant glutathione peroxidase which is found in our cells.
Glutathione peroxidase plays a variety of roles in cells, including DNA synthesis and repair, metabolism of toxins and carcinogens, enhancement of the immune system, and prevention of fat oxidation.
However, glutathione is predominantly known as an antioxidant protecting our cells from damage caused by the free radical hydrogen peroxide.
Glutathione also helps the other antioxidants in cells stay in their active form.
Brain glutathione levels have been found to be lower in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a common neurological condition afflicting about 1 percent of men and women over the age of seventy. In Parkinson’s disease, a small region in the brain, called the substantia nigra, begins to deteriorate. The neurons of the substantia nigra use the brain chemical dopamine. With the loss of dopamine, tremors begin and movement slows. Despite current drug therapies, Parkinson’s disease remains a progressive and incurable condition. Many patients with Parkinson’s disease may also suffer from age related cognitive decline or have some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
This antioxidant, made from the combination of three amino acids cysteine, glutamate, and glycine, forms part of the powerful natural antioxidant glutathione peroxidase which is found in our cells.
Glutathione peroxidase plays a variety of roles in cells, including DNA synthesis and repair, metabolism of toxins and carcinogens, enhancement of the immune system, and prevention of fat oxidation.
However, glutathione is predominantly known as an antioxidant protecting our cells from damage caused by the free radical hydrogen peroxide.
Glutathione also helps the other antioxidants in cells stay in their active form.
Brain glutathione levels have been found to be lower in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Parkinson's Disease
Parkinson’s disease is a common neurological condition afflicting about 1 percent of men and women over the age of seventy. In Parkinson’s disease, a small region in the brain, called the substantia nigra, begins to deteriorate. The neurons of the substantia nigra use the brain chemical dopamine. With the loss of dopamine, tremors begin and movement slows. Despite current drug therapies, Parkinson’s disease remains a progressive and incurable condition. Many patients with Parkinson’s disease may also suffer from age related cognitive decline or have some of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)