Help for Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease occurs when brain cells that produce dopamine become impaired. Once the dopamine level production in the body drops to a certain level there is substantial damage to the nerves, represented by the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Characterized most often by uncontrollable shaking, Parkinson's disease often impairs balance, decreases movement, and increases stiffness. Eighty-five percent of Parkinson's sufferers are older than 50, with the disease most common after age 65. For people affected by the disorder, help is available.

Help for Parkinson's Disease

• After a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, patients' sense of denial often leads them to ignore the disorder and the treatments available. A diagnosis of Parkinson's means they can never return to the lives they knew before. Overcoming the sense of denial and confronting 's requires knowledge of the disorder and the ability to find support. With the loss of good health and the realization of the ramifications of Parkinson's, both physical and mental, patients have difficulty understanding and controlling it. In the modern era of the Internet, never before have people had more access to Parkinson's information and support. Websites such as the National Parkinson Foundation are a must for anyone searching for help with Parkinson's.

National Parkinson Foundation

• Founded in 1957, the National Parkinson Fund seeks to improve the lives of Parkinson's patients through information, research, education, and outreach . if provides educational resources and information about treatment options, maintaining wellness and living with Parkinson's. In pursuit of better diagnosis techniques and treatment, the organization supports cutting-edge research by the top experts in neurology.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research

• A sufferer of Parkinson's disease himself, actor Michael J. Fox founded the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research to fund research that leads to better treatments and to provide educational resources to people and families seeking information. It offers guides for newly diagnosed patients and caregivers. The foundation has informational videos and provides a forum for discussions about the disorder.

Parkinson's Medication

• According to the National Parkinson Foundation, the treatment of Parkinson's disease is extremely limited, with no treatments available that slow or stop the progression of the disease. Treatment focuses on relieving the underlying symptoms of the disease that are most bothersome to each patient. Several common drugs used in treating the symptoms of Parkinson's disease are Levodopa, Amantadine, dopamine agonists, anticholinergic medications, and Selegiline. Depending on the patient's symptoms and the potential side effects of these drugs, a physician and patient should determine the most appropriate treatment regimen.

Support Groups

• Parkinson's affects not only the patient but those close to the patient as well. The National Parkinson Foundation's website offers access to the foundation's database of more than 900 support groups throughout the United States, One group might be more suited than another to address an individual's needs, so use care and screening in determining which group to join.