Parkinson's Disease - the Way Forward!: An Integrated Approach Including Drugs, Surgery, Nutrition, Bowel and Muscle Function, Self Esteem, Sexuality, Stress Control and Carers (Paperback)

As presented in this user-friendly book, optimising function and well-being through the educated use of drugs, nutrition, physical, sexual and emotional strategies helps to reduce the feeling of helplessness typically associated with this degenerative illness. Patients are given the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the quality of their lives.

It has been the aim of the authors to optimise the entire functional health of individuals so that they may function as best as they can. In so doing, they are able to enhance their mental and physical potential and derive a sense of well-being not often experienced by sufferers of Parkinson’s disease.

The book is especially designed for patients and carers as well as their physicians and allied healthcare professionals (who are supplied with an abundance of comprehensive scientific references.)

THE TEAM: neurologists, nutritionists, geriatrician, surgeon/anaesthetists, psychologist, physiotherapist, exercise specialist, sexologist, osteopath, hand/foot specialists, speech therapist, acupuncturist, stress therapist (autogenic training) and nurses.

SUBJECTS INCLUDE:

DIAGNOSIS/MONITORING As diagnosis is sometimes difficult, this information is invaluable.

DRUGS Incorrect dosage causes distressing side effects. Recommendations for drug use and the interaction of drugs with nutrients are presented for the medical professional and patients and carers.

THE ASSESSMENT DIARY An invaluable tool to help assess how often to take drugs and analyse which lifestyle factors may need adjustment.

SURGERY/ANAESTHESIA A unique multi-disciplinary team approach to neuro and general surgery by a neuro surgeon, anaesthetists, neurologist, specialist nurse and neuro-psychiatric psychologist. Very informative for patients and health professionals.

REDUCING DYSKINESIA Invaluable information to reduce this distressing side effect of uncontrolled movements often caused by drug treatment.

L-DOPA/OTHER DRUG-NUTRIENT INTERACTIONS Information with helpful strategies about Sinemet and Madopar with protein, Vitamin B6, Tyramine rich foods, Excitotoxins Aspartame and MSG, Recipes compatible with L-dopa absorption.

FREE RADICALS Free Radicals are implicated in degenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease. This is explained and strategies recommended to quench free oxidizing radicals and enhance immune system function.

DENTISTRY Dental mercury in Parkinson’s disease. Chelation protocols are described and caution expressed for people with Parkinson’s disease.

SEXUALITY This important problem is brilliantly dealt with, offering helpful strategies including the emotional approach, physical adaptations, pharmaceutical treatment and general health optimisation. There are sections for the medical profession and for patients and partners.

PREGNANCY More young people are developing Parkinson’s disease. This chapter describes pre-conceptual care, cellular nutritional deficiencies and drugs. For patients (men and women) and doctors and nutritionists/dieticians.

NURSING The helpful role of Parkinson’s Disease Nurse Specialists.

BIOCHEMICAL TESTS The Parkinson’s patients deserves to function as best they can. It is, therefore, important to know as much as possible about his or her cellular status in order to responsibly design a drug or nutritional support program based on each patient’s biochemical individuality.

The importance of assessing the nutritional and general health status of patients on a cellular level is explained. PD patients often present with nutritional deficiencies, which, if not recognised and addressed, may possibly compromise general health, cellular integrity, the manufacture of cellular energy or the efficacy of the immune system. References, with significant nutritional deficiencies found, are presented. Pharmaceutical treatment may also affect cellular status and need monitoring/support.

NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT Recommendations for those on L-dopa medication and those who are not.

· Nutritional supplementation (oral and intravenous protocols) for significant nutritional deficiencies found in Parkinson’s disease patients

· Bowel function (constipation)

· Liver detoxification problems in PD

· Drug-nutrient interactions (L-dopa and protein, vitamin B6 and decarboxylase inhibitors, tyramine-rich foods and monoamine oxidase inhibitor drugs) · Excitotoxins MSG and aspartame

· Weight control

· Blood sugar balance

· Energy production

· Nutritional content of foods

· Recipes

MUSCLE FUNCTION AND CIRCULATION Illustrated exercises by a physiotherapist and remedial exercise specialist. Strategies to increase circulation. Hydrotherapy recommended.

HANDS Hand flexibility in Parkinson’s disease optimised by unique exercises for hands and general posture. Well illustrated/described for patients and movement therapists.

FEET A podiatric surgeon describes helpful exercise and surgery for Parkinson’s disease patients. For patients and therapists.

PHYSIOTHERAPY Practical physical strategies are presented to enhance movement difficulties including ‘freezing’ and getting up from sitting.

OSTEOPATHY Presentation of the importance and scope of musculoskeletal assessment and treatment because tremor, dyskinesia and rigidity can cause restrictive problems. Treatment can indirectly influence vascular and neural elements and may help relieve stiffness.

SPEECH THERAPY Excellent strategies presented for prevention of problems and maintaining communication at all stages.

STRESS CONTROL AND DEPRESSION Autogenic training is presented for deep mind/body relaxation. This strategy helps control movement disturbance often exacerbated by stress in Parkinson’s disease patients. PATIENTS SELF-ESTEEM Helpful strategies for patients.

OLDER PEOPLE – SPECIAL FEATURES IN PARKINSONISM Multi-disciplinary management/recommendations for complications as a result of drug therapy.

CARERS’ NEEDS This chapter presents strategies to deal with carers’ vital and ongoing needs and gives them a sense of self-worth.

A PATIENT AND CARER WRITE THEIR VIEWS about how wonderfully supported they have felt by the multi-disciplinary approach, which they have experienced.

EDTA CHELATION THERAPY This intravenous therapy helps to clear the arteries of plaque if patients are suffering from atherosclerosis. Parkinson’s disease patients with this condition, which can compromise blood flow to the brain, might benefit from this technique.

TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE Research from academic medical departments in the USA and Austria presented acknowledging enhancement by acupuncture of blood flow in the brain and in the control of some symptoms.

ELECTRO-MAGNETIC FIELDS Application of electro magnetic fields to Parkinson’s disease patients has resulted in control of some symptoms. Academic references are presented. For patients and doctors.

USEFUL ADDRESSES For patients and carers, internationally.