I have listed below links to various Parkinson's
sites on the internet. Hopefully, these will
prove useful and informative to you, whether
you're new to the experience of Parkinson's
Disease or have been dealing with it for years.
This site will no longer be updated. Rick passed away on Nov. 29, 2005 at the age of 57.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a disorder of the
central nervous system that affects between one
and one-and-a-half million Americans. Because it
is not contagious and does not have to be
reported by physicians, the incidence of the
disease is often underestimated.
PD may appear at any age, but it is uncommon in
people younger than 30, and the risk of
developing it increases with age. It occurs in
all parts of the world, and men are affected
slightly more often than women.
PRIMARY SYMPTOMS
Following is a list of the primary symptoms of
Parkinson's disease. It is important to note that
not all patients experience the full range of
symptoms; in fact, most do not.
RIGIDITY is an increased tone or stiffness
in the muscles. Unless it is temporarily eased by
anti-Parkinson's medications, rigidity is always
present. However, it increases during movement.
It is often responsible for a mask-like
expression of the face. In some patients,
rigidity leads to sensations of pain, especially
in the arms and shoulders.
TREMOR is the symptom the public most
often identifies with PD, but in fact, up to 25%
of patients experience very slight tremor or none
at all. When it is present, the tremor may be
worse on one side of the body. Besides affecting
the limbs, it sometimes involves the head, neck,
face, and jaw. BRADYKINESIA means
slowness of movement. This symptom is
characterized by a delay in initiating movements,
caused by the brain's slowness in transmitting
the necessary instructions to the appropriate
parts of the body. When the instructions have
been received, the body responds slowly in
carrying them out. POOR BALANCE tends to
affect people with PD. This is particularly true
when they move abruptly, causing a sudden change
in the position of their bodies. Some patients
experience repeated falls due to poor balance.
Walking problems commonly include a decreased or
non-existent arm swing; short, shuffling steps
(festination); difficulty in negotiating turns;
and sudden freezing spells (inability to take the
next step). People with
Parkinson's may also suffer from any of a long
list of secondary symptoms. These include
depression, sleep disturbances, dizziness,
stooped posture, constipation, dementia, and
problems with speech, breathing, swallowing, and
sexual function. Again, it is important to note
that different patients
experience different symptoms. This description
and definition of Parkinson's Disease was taken
from the Parkinson Disease
Foundation on line page. (Just click on
the name to go there.) I do not claim to be
the creator and/or owner of any of the sites
listed below. They were all found on the
internet and are listed here to be a source of
information and reference only. American
Parkinson Disease Association Young Parkinson Information & Referral
Center Parkinson's Disease - Home Page World Parkinson
Disease
Association NFCA The Caregiver's
Role:
This site is
dedicated to my husband, Rick, who at age 57, has
been dealing with Parkinson's Disease for the
last 12 years and to all other Parkinsonians in
the world. This page is also dedicated to all the
caregivers, myself included, who have tried to
make their Parkinsonian's life a little easier
with this debilitating neurological illness. The
bright spot in all of this is that life doesn't
stop just because one has Parkinson's, it just
gets a bit slower.
Parkinson's Disease: An Overview
SECONDARY SYMPTOMS
DISCLAIMER
Sites/References for
Caregivers
Parkinson
Disease Caregivers Information
(National Family Caregivers Association)
A Balancing Act
Copyright 1999-2012 Keechi
All Rights Reserved