Parkinson's disease belongs to a group of conditions called motor system disorders. Parkinson's and related disorders are the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible for transmitting signals within the brain. Parkinson's disease occurs when certain nerve cells, or neurons, die or become impaired. Normally, these neurons produce dopamine. Loss of dopamine causes the nerve cells to fire out of control, leaving patients unable to direct or control their movement in a normal manner. The four primary symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and face; rigidity or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or slowness of movement; and postural instability or impaired balance and coordination. Patients may also have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks. The disease is both chronic and progressive. Parkinson's is not usually inherited. Early symptoms are subtle and occur gradually.
Topics
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byNews
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byGreat Stuff on Amazon
Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients and Families (A Johns Hopkins Press Health Book)
Amazon Price: $12.21 (as of 10/08/2008)
Parkinson's Disease For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness))
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 10/08/2008)
The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book: Partnering with Your Doctor to Get the Most from Your Medications
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 10/08/2008)
Delay the Disease -Exercise and Parkinson's Disease
Amazon Price: $19.95 (as of 10/08/2008)
Parkinson's Disease: 300 Tips for Making Life Easier
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 10/08/2008)
Parkinson's Disease & the Art of Moving
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 10/08/2008)
Links
- Awakenings
- Information on Parkinson's disease, patient support groups, research, physicians, and medical news. Supported by EPDA president Mary Baker and sponsored by drug manufacturer Hoffmann-La Roche. Site requires frames.
- The Greenes of Western Australia
- Detailed information about this disease by Dennis Greene, a member of the Parkinson's Information Exchange Network. He has included some of his poetry and a look at the family history is also provided.
- Mamas Health
- Learn about Parkinson's Disease, what causes it, how to prevent it and statistics about it.
- A View From the Lighter Side of Parkinson's
- Parkinsaw is an imaginary community in Michigan's Upper Peninsula for people with Parkinson's Disease. John Bjork, a member of the Parkinson's Information Exchange Network, describes their life with the disorder.
- James, A Site about Parkinson's Disease
- Extensive information about this disease as well as where to go for support and what you can do to fight the effects. Some internet resources as well as general information. It is a project of the Adrienne Coles Memorial Trust.
- Caregiver Information
- Sponsored by the National Parkinson Foundation. Primarily for care givers to people with this disease. Includes a discussion forum. A detailed look at the early and advanced stages of this disease.
- MEDLINEplus: Parkinson's Disease
- This comprehensive site, created by the US National Library of Medicine, gives an overview of basic information available on PD including news articles, research developments and links to other web-sites.
- Medtronic.com
- Surgical treatment of Parkinson's, tremors and other movement disorders.
- Parkinson's Information
- Details about PD, FAQs and tips for daily living. A directory of resources available. Discusses the drug Eldepryl (generic selegiline) as it is used for this disease. Sponsored by Somerset Pharmaceuticals
- Parkinson's Disease: New Treatments Slow Onslaught of Symptoms
- An article from the US Food and Drug Administration written by John Henkel.
- Parkinson's Disease
- PD is a degenerative central nervous system (CNS) disorder. A discussion about the disorder, the symptoms and treatments of this disease.
- NeurologyChannel: Parkinson's Disease
- Information on diagnosis and treatment from board-certified physicians.
- Veritas Medicine
- Clinical trial listings and in-depth treatment information about Parkinson disease. Perform a personalized search to find ongoing clinical trials that match your needs.
- International Health News
- Comprehensive review of the latest research into parkinson's disease with emphasis on prevention and complementary and alternative treatments.
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine
- Links to information about Parkinson's disease emphasizing surgical treatments such as pallidotomy and deep brain stimulators.
- My Parkinson's Disease - Part 1
- What is it like to be a physician and diagnosed with this disease? Dr. David Cram explores his experience with PD in this AgeNet series.
- Martin's Web Site
- A personal story with links to information about parkinson's disease and other health related issues.
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
- Parkinson's disease information sheet.
- Mayo Clinic: Parkinson's Disease
- A description of the condition, as well as drug and surgical treatment.
- NYU Medical Center Department of Neurosurgery
- Hoehn and Yahr staging of Parkinson's disease with brief points on each.
- PD Index
- A directory of Parkinson's disease information on the Internet.
- Parkinson's Disease - Hope Through Research
- An informational booklet compiled by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
- The Kitchawan Parkinson's Site
- Non-profit and dedicated to helping raise awareness, including information on PD and its treatment.
- InteliHealth: Parkinson's Disease
- Featuring Harvard Medical Schools consumer health information. An in depth look at this disorder from an introduction through to research being done.
- Parkinson's Unity Walk
- Annual event in New York City's Central Park, to increase awareness of PD and to raise funds for research. Register online to participate or support a walker.
- Barb's Cues on Parkinsons Disease
- Personal experience, poetry, and advice on dealing with her condition.
- Parkinson's Disease Control
- A Parkinson's disease resource that offers articles and webcasts on how to effectively treat and control control the disease.
- WebMD Health
- A consumer health site for Parkinson's Disease. Includes a caregiver section.
- The Facts about Parkinson's Disease
- Learn about this disease in which the symptoms are the result of the loss of brain cells that produce dopamine, a chemical messenger that transmits impulses from one nerve cell to another. From HealthLink MCW.
- eMedicine Health - Parkinson Disease
- Consumer health resource center providing information on the causes, symptoms, and treatment.
- Living Alone With Parkinson's Disease
- Information, tips, foods, exercises, aids and attitudes learned during living alone with PD for 19 years.
- YoungParkinsons
- Personal site of Tom Berdine, diagnosed at 33. Learn about parkinson's disease and its symptoms. Includes a message board and links to news.
- Study of Anti Depressants in Parkinson's Disease
- A National Institute of Health research study of anti-depressant medication in patients with PD, conducted at several medical centers throughout the United States and Canada by the University of Rochester.
- Forum: Qualitative Social Research
- Articles reports about a qualitative study about information needs of older people with Parkinson's disease (PD). In German, English and Spanish.
- Parkinson's Recovery Project
- Dedicated to dissemination of information regarding Parkinson's disease treatments which use techniques of Asian medicine. Find patient information, handbook updates, publications and other resources.
- P-I-E-N-O Archive Treasures
- The Parkinsn Archive Treasures are a collection of articles, studies and drug database for the student, doctor, Parkinson's patient, and caregiver.
