The Parkinson’s Foundation is here to help you. Click to connect with us or call our toll-free Helpline at
1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636).
HERE
While there is no cure for PD, there are many steps you can take to maintain and improve your quality of life and live well with the disease. The Parkinson’s Foundation is your number one resource, whether you’ve been diagnosed with PD or you’re a caregiver to someone living with PD.
3 Key Takeaways to Remember
Are You a Caregiver?
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, which means that your responsibilities as a caregiver will change over time. That can be stressful. Whether you’re caring for someone who has been recently diagnosed with PD, you’re a longtime caregiver, or you’re adapting to new challenges as the disease progresses, making sure that you’re taken care of, too, is essential to your well being and the well being of the person with PD.
What You Should Know
As a caregiver, your responsibilities may include helping a loved one with daily activities, managing medications and making financial decisions. The care you provide may go beyond physical tasks to emotional and spiritual care as well. If you’re a new caregiver, it might be helpful to talk with an experienced caregiver, or join PD Conversations, the online community of the Parkinson's Foundation. You’ll also want to learn all you can about the disease early on so you can make informed decisions and provide the emotional and physical support that is needed now and in the future.
How You Can Help
The PD community is robust and generous. If you’re a new caregiver, consider making one of your first calls to the Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline: 1-800-4PD-INFO (1-800-473-4636). Staffed by nurses, social workers and health educators, the Helpline can provide up-to-date information about PD, referrals to healthcare professionals, emotional support, community resources and a wide variety of free publications.
You’re Not Alone
I know how important it is to practice self-care. Because if I can’t take care of myself, I can’t take care of anyone else.
We do not know exactly what causes PD, but scientists believe that a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause. The extent to which each factor is involved varies from person to person. Researchers do not know why some people develop PD and others do not. Genetics cause about 10 – 15% of all PD cases. In some families, changes (or mutations) in certain genes are inherited or passed down from generation to generation.
Understanding the connection between PD and genetics can help us understand how the disease develops and ultimately how it can be treated or cured. This is why PD GENEration: Mapping the Future of Parkinson’s Disease, a national initiative from the Parkinson’s Foundation, is essential. PD GENEration offers genetic testing for clinically relevant Parkinson’s-related genes and genetic counseling at no cost for people with PD.
The Role of Genetics
Research supported by the Parkinson’s Foundation has led to breakthroughs in treatment and improved care that brings hope to the entire PD community. The Foundation has invested more than $400 million in research and clinical care since 1957 and its commitment to research remains steadfast.
The Future of Parkinson’s Disease
There are many things you can do to live well with PD. The right medications and complementary therapies can help relieve some of your symptoms. Making smart choices in your daily life, from eating the right foods to building a network of support, will also play a big role in helping you live your best life. Exercising regularly, in particular, is an essential component of managing the symptoms of PD and will help you maintain balance, mobility and independence.
Managing Symptoms
There is no standard treatment for PD, so your treatment plan will be individualized to your specific symptoms. It will likely include one or more medications to address your symptoms, though there is not yet a medication that reverses the effects of PD. In some cases, surgery may be advised. Lifestyle modifications in diet, rest and especially exercise are a vital part of treatment.
Treatment
Receiving a PD diagnosis can be both a relief and overwhelming. For some, the diagnosis is a long-awaited explanation for previously unexplained symptoms. But the news can also leave people feeling stunned, unsure of what the future may look like and what next steps they should take. It’s important to know that you’re not alone and that the Parkinson’s Foundation is here for you every step of the way to help you live well with PD. To get you started on your journey, get a Newly Diagnosed kit for free.
Newly Diagnosed: Building a Better Life with Parkinson's
Living Life with Parkinson’s
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Nearly one million people in the United States are living with Parkinson’s disease (PD). If you or a loved one are among the 60,000 Americans diagnosed with PD this year, it’s important to recognize that you can still enjoy a good to great quality of life with PD. The first step to living well with PD is understanding the disease and its progression.
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that affects dopamine-producing nerve cells in the brain that are responsible for movement. While the progression of the disease varies from person to person, symptoms generally develop slowly over years. People with PD typically experience motor symptoms, such as slowness of movement, tremors, stiffness and balance problems. Some people also develop symptoms that are unrelated to movement, including loss of smell, depression, constipation and sleep behavior disorders.
Understanding Parkinson’s
What is Parkinson’s?
There is no single way to diagnose PD. However, a review of signs and symptoms, such as tremors or trouble with balance over a period of time, in combination with various tests, can point to PD. An initial diagnosis is often made by an internist or family physician. But if you or someone you love is experiencing symptoms resembling those of PD, it’s a good idea to make an appointment with a movement disorder specialist—a neurologist who has completed extensive additional training in the neurology subspecialty of movement disorders. These specialists are most familiar with the full range of available PD medications, as well as any relevant clinical trials, and that can mean more successful treatment.
Diagnosing Parkinson’s
Symptoms of PD vary widely from person to person. If you have more than one of these signs associated with PD, consider seeing your doctor so you can get a diagnosis early, whether the cause is PD or another condition. This is not a complete list of symptoms.
Signs and Symptoms of PD
The Parkinson’s Foundation has everything you need to live better with PD. Our mission is to improve care and advance research toward a cure. Continue reading to find information that can help you and your loved one live a better life.
Better Lives. Together.
PHOTO CREDIT: GETTYIMAGES
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