Parkinson's disease
Facts
Symptoms
Secondary parkinsonism
Against PD
Organizations & support groups
Books & articles
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Facts
- It is a progressive neurological (i.e. the central nervous system) disorder.
- This disease was first described by an English physician James Parkinson in 1817 as shaking palsy.
- It was also once called paralysis agitans.
- It results when the nerve cells found in a certain part of the brain (known as the substantia nigra) are damaged. These cells are responsible for producing the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is an important chemical needed for normal movements.
- Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by a severe shortage of dopamine. It is this deficiency that causes the symptoms of the disease.
- The 2 most important types of PD are early-onset and late-onset. Early-onset PD begins before age 50 while late-onset PD starts at 50 and above.
- PD affects different people in different ways. For some, the disease progresses much faster than others and the severity also varies.
- No one is certain what causes this disease though theories do hover around old age, genetics, viral infections, exposure to heavy metals (e.g. aluminum), environmental toxins and the accumulation of free radicals.
- PD is also known as primary parkinsonism in which parkinsonism refers to any condition that exhibits any combination of the disorders seen in PD, e.g. tremors and rigidity.
Symptoms
- Tremors, often seen in hands and arms at rest positions.
- slower movements, also called bradykinesia (e.g. walking).
- Rigidity (muscles not functioning properly which affects facial muscles as well).
- Having difficulty stopping an action once it commences (e.g. unable to stop after having started walking).
- Poor balance and instability.
- Memory loss and depression.
Secondary parkinsonism
What is known as secondary parkinsonism may be caused by :
- Stroke, encephalitis or meningitis
- Medications such as tranquilizers and metoclopramide (used for nausea)
- Carbon monoxide, cyanide and manganese poisoning
- Use of MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine)
Against PD
- The Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure used to treat debilitating symptoms of PD, namely tremor, rigidity, stiffness, slowed movement and walking problems. DBS uses a surgically implanted, battery-operated medical device called a neurostimulator (similar to a heart pacemaker and about the size of a stopwatch) to deliver electrical stimulation to targeted areas in the brain that control movement, blocking the abnormal nerve signals that cause tremor and PD symptoms. Although most patients who have undergone DBS still need to take medication, many experience considerable reduction of their PD symptoms and are able to greatly reduce their medications. The amount of reduction varies from patient to patient but can be significant in most patients.
Reference : "INDS Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease Information Page" National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- The drug Levodopa (L-dopa) is the main treatment for PD because it produces dopamine once it reaches the brain. The drug reduces the tremors, muscle rigidity and makes movement easier. However this drug is not a cure and is unable to stop the disease from progessing. Side effects may follow such as nausea and vomitting.
- In "Why Noni Works", a booklet that outlines the content of some research papers on the components of Morinda citrifolia derived from noni juice, studies revealed that the 5% of PD patients who suffer from
olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) respond well to high doses of leucine found in noni juice. For the 95% of PD patients who require an increase in dopamine levels, personal reports given by individuals taking noni juice have demonstrated an improvement in ease of movement and speech as well as other symptoms associated with PD.
See Recommended dosing. More about noni.
Reference : "Why Noni Works-A Reference Book for The Biological Activity of the Constituents of Morinda citrifolia" Melanie Alfred (Direct Source, 2000)
- Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a powerful antioxidant that has been suggested to be of help because of its neuroprotective properties.
Suggested dosage : 50 mg three times a day. For efficient absorption, take with food.
Reference : PD's treatment with CoQ10, A pilot study funded by the National Institutes of Health of the effects of this antioxidant on PD patients.
- A study reported on the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition revealed that consuming high doses of vitamins C and E delayed the need for L-dopa treatment by 2.5 years.
Suggested dosage : 1000-2000 mg of Vitamin C and 800 IU of vitamin E per day.
Reference : S Fahn "An open trial of high-dosage antioxidants in early Parkinson's disease" American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 53:380S-382S
- Vitamin B6 increases the production dopamine.
Suggested dosage : 50 mg a day. Caution : people taking L-dopa without the companion drug carbidopa should not take this vitamin.
- The natural hormone melatonin which regulates sleep has been found to reduce tremors and protect against free radical damage on dopamine neurons.
References : "Melatonin's potential benefits in preventing Parkinson's damage", Jefferson Medical College; "Melatonin for Sleep Disorders in PD" Glenna Dowling, Institute on Aging; "The significance of the metabolism of the neurohormone melatonin: antioxidative protection and formation of bioactive substances" Hardeland, Reiter, et al. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews (1993) 17:347-357
- NADH appears to ease many of the symptoms of PD.
Suggested dosage : 5 mg a day. Best taken in the morning or between meals.
Reference : "Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) - a new therapeutic approach to Parkinson's disease: Comparison of oral and parenteral application" Birkmayer, JGD, et al. Acta Neurologica Scandinavia 87 (1993) (Suppl 146):32-35
- Fish oils and flaxseeds contain omega-3 fatty acids which have nerve-nourishing effects that can boost dopamine.
Suggested dosage: 2 g a day.
- According to Dr. John Heinerman, the author of Heinerman's Encyclopedia of Healing Juices (Prentice Hall, 1994), consuming fresh nectarine juice can reduce symptoms such as trembling and muscle twitching.
- An ayurvedic herb called atmagupta contains the natural form of L-dopa which could provide relief from PD's symptoms.
Organizations & support groups
Parkinson's Disease Foundation
The American Parkinson's Disease Association
Parkinson's Institute
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
People living with Parkinson
Parkinson's Action Network
Treatment centers
List of support groups in the US
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