The First Year: Parkinson's Disease An Essential Guide for the Newly Diagnosed

by Hunt, Jackie; Christensen, Jackie Hunt; Tuite, Paul

• ISBN13: 9781569243725
• ISBN10: 1569243727
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-11
• Publisher: Da Capo Lifelong Books

Summary

Parkinson's diseasea chronic disorder that causes a progressive loss of nerve cell function in the part of the brain that controls muscle movementis an incurable neurological condition with debilitating symptoms. Over 1.5 million Americans are affected, and the numbers continue to grow. From the first moment of her Parkinson's diagnosis, author Jackie Christensen took charge and educated herself on every aspect of her condition. Now, as a "patient-expert," she guides those newly diagnosed step by step through their first year with Parkinson's. She provides crucial information about the nature of the disease, treatment options, diet, exercise, charts and tables, social concerns, emotional issues, networking with others, and much more. The First YearParkinson's Disease will be an invaluable guide for all those who want to be an informed, active participant in the management of their condition.

Author Biography

Jackie Hunt Christensen was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1997 at the age of thirty-two and has been active in the Parkinson Association of Minnesota, the Parkinson's Action Network, and the Young-Onset Parkinson Network of the National Parkinson Foundation ever since. A semi-retired environmental health activist for the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP), Christensen lives in Minneapolis with her husband and two sons.

Paul Tuite, MD, is a movement disorder specialist and associate professor of neurology at the University of Minnesota.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xiii
Paul J. Tuite
Introduction	xv
Day 1
Living: What Exactly Is Parkinson's Disease?	1	(6)
Learning: Techniques Doctors Use to Diagnose PD	7	(9)
Day 2
Living: Early Symptoms of PD	16	(5)
Learning: PD's Effects on the Brain	21	(3)
Day 3
Living: To Medicate or Not to Medicate	24	(11)
Learning: Things to Expect if You're Taking Sinemet	35	(8)
Day 4
Living: Is There PD in Your Family Tree?	43	(6)
Learning: Environmental Links to PD	49	(10)
Day 5
Living: Physical Effects of PD	59	(9)
Learning: Clognition: How Parkinson's Disease Can Affect You Mentally	68	(7)
Day 6
Living: Depression and PD	75	(6)
Learning: Coming to Terms with Your Diagnosis	81	(7)
Day 7
Living: Telling Your Friends and Family	88	(7)
Learning: Drug Therapy for Depression and Anxiety	95	(6)
First-Week Milestone	101	(34)
Week 2
Living: Complementary Therapies	103	(8)
Learning: Be an Active Participant in Your Care	111	(6)
Week 3
Living: Parkinson's Can Bring Many Gifts	117	(4)
Learning: Why All Those Warning Labels?	121	(6)
Week 4
Living: Care Partners Need Love, Too	127	(5)
Learning: Utilizing Local Support Services for Physical and Occupational Therapy	132	(3)
First-Month Milestone	135	(54)
Month 2
Living: The Importance of Support Groups	137	(4)
Learning: Finding Your Support System	141	(5)
Month 3
Living: Useful Assistive Devices for Your Home and Workplace	146	(5)
Learning: Dealing with PD's Possible Effects on Your Voice	151	(5)
Month 4
Living: Give Your Care Partner a Break	156	(7)
Learning: Nutrition	163	(5)
Month 5
Living: How PD May Affect the Power Balance of Family Life	168	(6)
Learning: PD Isn't Just for Older People Anymore	174	(4)
Month 6
Living: When Adult Children Care for a Parent with PD	178	(5)
Learning: Talking to Young Kids about PD	183	(6)
Half-Year Milestone	189	(64)
Month 7
Living: Exercise	191	(6)
Learning: Traveling with PD	197	(7)
Month 8
Living: Sexuality and Intimacy	204	(4)
Learning: Sleep	208	(5)
Month 9
Living: Dealing with Your Employer	213	(9)
Learning: Dealing with Dementia	222	(4)
Month 10
Living: Planning Your Financial Future	226	(4)
Learning: Surgery to Treat PD Symptoms	230	(5)
Month 11
Living: Insurance and PD	235	(6)
Learning: Help to Find a Cure	241	(4)
Month 12
Living: What You Can Do to Raise Awareness of PD	245	(3)
Learning: Emerging Therapies for Parkinson's Disease	248	(5)
Appendix 1: Drug Diary and Drug Chart	253	(11)
Appendix 2: Universal Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) and Universal Parkinson's Disease Data Form	264	(15)
Appendix 3: The PD Survey	279	(8)
Notes	287	(6)
Glossary	293	(10)
Resources	303	(16)
Bibliography	319	(8)
Acknowledgments	327	(4)
Index	331