Elizabeth Hurndall BTEC Media Blog

Parkinson’s

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/content/facts-journalists

Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition.
People with Parkinson's don't have enough of a chemical called dopamine because specific nerve cells inside their brain have died. It is not known why these cells die.
Without dopamine people can find that their movements become slower so it takes longer to do things. This can make everyday activities, such as eating, getting dressed, or using a phone or computer, difficult or frustrating.
The 3 main symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor, muscle stiffness and slowness of movement. But not everyone will experience all of these.
As well as the symptoms that affect movement, people with Parkinson's can find that other issues, such as tiredness, pain, depression and constipation, can have an impact on their day-to-day lives.
Parkinson's doesn't directly cause people to die, but symptoms do get worse over time.
Every hour, someone in the UK is told they have Parkinson's.
One person in every 500 has Parkinson's. That's about 127,000 people in the UK.
Most people who get Parkinson's are aged 50 or over but younger people can get it too
There is currently no cure for Parkinson's, but there are a range of treatments to control the symptoms and maintain quality of life.
Medication is the main treatment for Parkinson's. Drugs work by restoring the level of dopamine in the brain or mimicking its actions, but can have side effects, including abnormal involuntary movements (dyskinesia) and impulsive and compulsive behaviour.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a type of surgery where electrodes are implanted deep inside specific parts of the brain. The electrodes are connected to a small battery under the skin in the person's chest, to generate electrical signals to stimulate the brain. If successful, DBS can provide significant improvement in an individual's symptoms and quality of life, but DBS is not a suitable option for everyone with Parkinson's.
Physical therapies such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy have an important role to play in the management of Parkinson's.
As the UK's Parkinson's support and research charity we're leading the work to find a cure, and we're closer than ever.
Parkinson's UK is the largest charity funder of Parkinson's research in Europe. Since 1969, we've invested over £80million in ground-breaking research.
Since 1969, we've invested over £80million on research into all aspects of Parkinson's.”
We bring people with Parkinson's, their carers and families together via our network of local groups, our website and free confidential helpline 0808 800 0303. Because we're here, no one has to face Parkinson's alone.
Specialist Parkinson's nurses, our supporters and staff provide information and training on every aspect of Parkinson's.
We campaign to change attitudes and demand better services.
Our free and confidential helpline 0808 800 0303 provides help and advice to all people affected by Parkinson's. Usual helpline opening hours are Monday-Friday 9am-7pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.
Our work is totally dependent on donations.

http://www.orionpharma.co.uk/Products-and-Services-Orion/Parkinsons-disease/10-facts-about-Parkinsons-disease/

Parkinson’s disease is named after Dr James Parkinson (1755-1824), the doctor that first identified the condition.
It is caused by the loss of brain cells (neurones) in a part of the brain called the substantia nigra, which produces the chemical messenger dopamine.
As the cells die, less dopamine is produced and transported to the striatum, the area of the brain that co-ordinates movement. Symptoms develop when about 80% of dopamine has been lost.
The reason that Parkinson’s disease develops is not known.
Approximately 4 million people worldwide suffer from Parkinson’s disease. Around 120,000 people in the UK have the condition.
The main symptoms of Parkinson’s disease are tremor, slowness of movement (bradykinesia) and muscle stiffness or rigidity.
The National Institute for health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the treatment of Parkinson’s disease in June 2006.
There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but treatments can help control the symptoms and maintain quality of life.
Parkinson’s disease can be treated with a combination of drug treatments and other therapies, for example, speech therapy, physiotherapy.
The risk of developing Parkinson’s disease increases with age. Symptoms usually occur after the age of 50.
Around 1 in 20 people are diagnosed under the age of 40 years.

http://www.everydayhealth.com/parkinsons-disease/ten-essential-facts-about-parkinsons-disease/

The world continues to mourn boxing legend Muhammad Ali who died at 74 on Friday night from septic shock. Ali had been hospitalized a few days earlier with a respiratory illness. A family spokesperson said his death was “due to unspecified natural causes.” The heavyweight champion was 42 when he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1984 and became a global figure in the fight against the disease.

Parkinson's disease, a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that affects nerve cells in the brain and makes movement difficult, affects an estimated one million people in the United States, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. The disorder is chronic and progressive, affecting the nerve cells that produce dopamine. When these cells become impaired or die, the loss of dopamine leads to abnormal nerve firings and impaired movements, including tremors, loss of balance, and other problems, explains the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

There is no cure yet for the condition, but researchers say they’re piecing together more clues about the roles of genetic and environmental factors. Meanwhile, those diagnosed can take many steps to protect their quality of life and enjoy family, career, and retirement.

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed, here are 10 essential facts you need to know:

1. Parkinson's disease is not just an ''old person's disease." While the disorder is typically diagnosed at around age 60, younger people can also be affected, says neurologist and movement disorder specialist Rachel Dolhun, MD, vice president of medical communications at the The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. "People who are younger can get this," Dr. Dolhun says.

A prominent case in point is actor Michael J. Fox, now 54, who was diagnosed in 1991 at age 29, she says. "We call it young-onset Parkinson's at age 40 or under," Dolhun says. More typical, she says, is to be diagnosed in your 50s or 60s.

2. The cause of Parkinson's is still unknown. A combination of genetic and environmental factors are thought to contribute to the risk of getting Parkinson's, says Catherine Kopil, PhD, director of research programs for The Michael J. Fox Foundation. Several genetic mutations have been found that are linked to Parkinson's disease, and lifestyle may also play a role. Those who drink caffeine-containing drinks, for instance, have been found to have a lower risk of getting Parkinson's, although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been proven.

3. Diagnosing Parkinson's disease isn't simple. There's no specific test to diagnose Parkinson's disease. Instead, doctors look for four cardinal features of the movement disorder, says Hubert Fernandez, MD, the James and Constance Brown Family Endowed Chair in Movement Disorders and professor of medicine and neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in Ohio. His update on Parkinson's disease, focusing on what is new in diagnostic techniques and treatment, was published in September 2015 in the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine.

To diagnose the disease, doctors use the mnemonic TRAP:

·Tremor or shaking at rest, involving the thumb, entire hand, arm, chin, lips, and feet

·Rigidity felt by the doctor when rotating a patient's wrist or elbow

·Akinesia or bradykinesia (lack of movement or slowness of movement) when walking or swinging an arm

·Postural instability, making it necessary to hold onto something to maintain balance when walking or rising from a chair

Doctors must rule out other conditions, such as medications that cause the same symptoms, arthritis, or other medical issues. Observing symptoms, plus taking a medical history and asking patients if they feel stiff, slow, or shaky, is how the condition is typically diagnosed.

4. Parkinson's disease isn't just marked by tremors and other outward symptoms. While those outward symptoms are used as the basis for a diagnosis, the condition involves much more, Dolhun says. "There’s a lot that doctors can't see," she says, calling them the “invisible symptoms” that include sleep problems, constipation, slurred speech, and mood problems such as depression.

Symptoms vary from one patient to the next, Dolhun says. Indeed, there's an old saying, "If you’ve met one patient with Parkinson's, you've met one patient with Parkinson's."

5. Educating yourself about Parkinson’s can improve your quality of life. Good quality of life is possible ''if you seek good treatment and have a good plan," says Michael Okun, MD, national medical director for the National Parkinson Foundation and author of Parkinson's Treatment: 10 Secrets to a Happier Life.

Dr. Fernandez agrees and tells patients that Parkinson's, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other chronic conditions, needs to be managed daily. "The more they know, the more they can advocate for themselves," says Fernandez, who coauthored Ask the Doctor About Parkinson's Disease with Dr. Okun.

6. Treatment should be tailored to your symptoms and your preferences. While there is as yet no cure for Parkinson's disease, treatment can help people live a good quality life. The primary treatment for the tremors and rigidity is a carbidopa-levodopa combination drug, like Sinemet and Rytary, which is thought to help replenish the lost dopamine. But symptoms of Parkinson's disease not only vary from patient to patient — patients also report that they aren't equally bothered by the same symptoms, Fernandez says. He always asks his patients: What bothers you most?

For some, he says, it's the constipation. Others tell him they're bothered by constantly shaking hands (tremor). "The treatment plan should be tailored to the most pressing concern," Fernandez says.

7. Clinical trials are worth considering. Every time a Parkinson's disease patient visits their doctor, Okun suggests they ask, ''What's new? Am I eligible for any new clinical trial?'' Research is constantly evolving, so it's worth asking if any trials fit your situation.

"A lot of patients enrolled in clinical trials do better,'' he says, ''partly because they are seen more often." Every clinical trial has risks and benefits. There is a potential for harm or injury, but the trial researchers should be sure those risks are minimized in relation to the benefits. Enrolling may also give access to a treatment not otherwise available. Before enrollment, trial administrators should spell out the risks and benefits.

Besides checking in with the doctor, anyone can look up clinical trials at ClinicalTrials.gov, part of the National Institutes of Health. The Michael J. Fox Foundation site also has a trial finder feature that matches patients with appropriate trials.

8. Stress can make the condition worse; telling people about the condition can ease it. Stress can increase symptoms, Dolhun says. For some, one source of that stress is hiding the condition from coworkers, family, and friends, she says. "The majority of people we talk to who say they have shared their story with family and friends say they wish they would have done it sooner," she says.

9. Hospitalizations can be risky. Research has shown that patients with Parkinson's disease are at risk for getting the wrong medicine at the wrong time, and for contracting infections if they are hospitalized, which could lead to deterioration in their overall health. While hospitalization is sometimes necessary, Okun encourages patients to avoid hospital stays by keeping on top of their treatment plan and taking medicine as directed — and to get care in an outpatient center or medical clinic whenever possible.

10. Depression may affect more than half of all patients, and anxiety affects about 40 percent. Both anxiety and depression can affect the overall health of someone with Parkinson's even more than motor symptoms do, according to the National Parkinson Foundation. And depression and anxiety often occur together, according to research. Fortunately, treatment helps, and options ranging from exercise to medication and psychotherapy, or ''talk therapy,'' are plentiful.

https://www.ncoa.org/news/resources-for-reporters/get-the-facts/healthy-aging-facts/

Chronic Disease

• Approximately 92% of older adults have at least one chronic disease, and 77% have at least two. Four chronic diseases—heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes—cause almost two-thirds of all deaths each year.

• Chronic diseases account for 75% of the money our nation spends on health care, yet only 1% of health dollars are spent on public efforts to improve overall health.

• Diabetes affects 12.2 million Americans aged 60+, or 23% of the older population. An additional 57 million Americans aged 20+ have pre-diabetes, which increases a person’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. In a 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention program for people at high risk for developing diabetes, lifestyle intervention reduced risk by 71% among those aged 60+.

• 90% of Americans aged 55+ are at risk for hypertension, or high blood pressure. Women are more likely than men to develop hypertension, with half of women aged 60+ and 77% of women aged 75+ having this condition. Hypertension affects 64% of men aged 75+.

Falls

• Every 15 seconds, an older adult is treated in the emergency room for a fall; every 29 minutes, an older adult dies following a fall.

• Among older adults, falls are the leading cause of fractures, hospital admissions for trauma, and injury deaths. Falls are also the most common cause of older adult traumatic brain injuries, accounting for over 46% of fatal falls.

• The nation spends $30 billion a year treating older adults for the effects of falls. If we cannot stem the rate of falls, it’s projected that direct treatment costs will reach $59.6 billion by 2020. A quarter of hip fracture patients will be in a nursing home for at least a year, further adding to Medicaid costs.

Mental Health & Substance Abuse

• One in four older adults experiences some mental disorder including depression and anxiety disorders, and dementia. This number is expected to double to 15 million by 2030.

• Depression affects seven million older Americans, and many do not receive treatment.

• The number of older adults with substance abuse problems is expected to double to five million by 2020.

• Two-thirds of older adults with mental health problems do not receive the treatment they need. Current preventative services for this population are extremely limited.

• Untreated substance abuse and mental health problems among older adults are associated with poor health outcomes, higher health care utilization, increased complexity of the course and prognosis of many illnesses, increased disability and impairment, compromised quality of life, increased caregiver stress, increased mortality, and higher risk of suicide.

• People aged 85+ have the highest suicide rate of any age group. Older white men have a suicide rate almost six times that of the general population.

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-old-age

Only 3.6% of people over 65 years old are in nursing homes. Elderly men are likely to live with a spouse while elderly women are more likely to live alone.
4 in 5 older adults will battle at least one chronic condition or illness such as heart disorders, arthritis, or osteoporosis. 50% will battle at least two.
By age 75, about 1 in 3 men and 1 in 2 women don't get ANY physical activity. You can keep seniors fit by hosting a dance class at your local senior center! Sign up for Dancing With the Seniors.
While fatal crash rates increase starting at age 75, older drivers' crash rates have fallen faster than the crash rates of middle-aged drivers. One of the reasons is that older drivers tend to limit their driving during bad weather and at night.
The ratio of women to men over 65 years old is 100 to 76. The ratio of women to men over 85 years old is 100 to 49.
99% of people over 65 years old have health insurance, with 93% having government-sponsored Medicare.
According to data compiled by the Social Security Administration, a man reaching age 65 today can expect to live, on average, until age 84.3. A woman turning age 65 today can expect to live 86.6.
People over 75 years old visit the doctor 3 times more often than people 22 to 44 years old.
Elderly people occupy over 1/3 of all federally subsidized housing.
An estimated 1 in 10 senior citizens are victims of elder abuse, the intentional acts by a caregiver that lead to physical, psychological, or emotional harm.
US poverty rates are highest for people 65 and older, with 10.5% living in poverty. There are also sharp racial differences in the data: the rates are at least 3 times higher for Hispanics and African-Americans ages 65+ than for whites 65+.

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Parkinsons-disease/Pages/Introduction.aspx

Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years.

The three main symptoms of Parkinson's disease are:

•involuntary shaking of particular parts of the body (tremor)

•slow movement

•stiff and inflexible muscles

A person with Parkinson's disease can also experience a wide range of other physical and psychological symptoms, including:

•depression and anxiety

•balance problems – this may increase the chance of a fall

•loss of sense of smell (anosmis)

•problems sleeping (insomnia)

•memory problems

Causes of Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease is caused by a loss of nerve cells in part of the brain called the substantia nigra. This leads to a reduction in a chemical called dopamine in the brain.

Dopamine plays a vital role in regulating the movement of the body. A reduction in dopamine is responsible for many of the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

Exactly what causes the loss of nerve cells is unclear. Most experts think that a combination of genetic and environmental factors is responsible.

Read more about the causes of Parkinson's disease.

Who's affected?

It's thought around 1 in 500 people are affected by Parkinson's disease, which means there are an estimated 127,000 people in the UK with the condition.

Most people with Parkinson's start to develop symptoms when they're over 50, although around 1 in 20 people with the condition first experience symptoms when they're under 40.

Men are slightly more likely to get Parkinson's disease than women.

Treating Parkinson's disease

Although there's currently no cure for Parkinson's disease, treatments are available to help reduce the main symptoms and maintain quality of life for as long as possible.

These include:

•supportive treatments – such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy

•medication

•in some cases, brain surgery

You may not need any treatment during the early stages of Parkinson's disease, as symptoms are usually mild. However, you may need regular appointments with your specialist so your condition can be monitored.

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