Ep 4: Treatments for Parkinson’s Disease, and the Role of Clinical Trials

Communication is vital for all parts of life, but Parkinson’s disease can greatly impact cognition and speaking. That’s where a speech and language pathologist comes in - helping with common problems like drooling,swallowing, concentration and talking.  In this episode, we hear from a speech and language pathologist about different ways to improve communication and swallowing difficulties after diagnosis.  We also hear from people with Parkinson’s disease about what it’s like to live with these challenges, and what adaptations have been most helpful in overcoming them. For more links and resources, visit our website at HealthUnmuted.com Resources Voice and swallowing support Speech Therapist finder - Parkinson’s voice project  LSVT Program Finder  Live Home Practice Sessions - Parkinson’s Voice Project Speech & Swallowing Issues - Parkinson’s Foundation Adaptive Tools Pocket talker device - Amazon Community Groups: Choirs improving PD symptoms  PD Avengers Get all the links and the episode transcript by visiting the website here. This episode is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Food is an important part of everyone’s life. Adjusting your diet while managing a chronic illness can be a challenge.  In this episode, we speak to a dietician about the foods and diets that are often recommended for people with Parkinson's.  We also hear about tips and tools to make cooking and eating a little easier, especially while experiencing motor and non-motor symptoms. For more links and resources, visit our website at HealthUnmuted.com Resources Diet and nutrition Guide to eating a Mediterranean diet - Michael J Fox Foundation Meal time booklet - Parkinson’s Foundation Information of pro and prebiotics  - Parkinson's Foundation Common symptoms Studies to show constipation as common symptom of Parkinson’s disease - Study 1 and Study 2   Webinar on gut related issues in Parkinson’s Disease - Michael J Fox Foundation Adaptive Tools Swivel Spoons - Various types available on Amazon.com Lift steady table ware - Product website Wrist weights  - Various types available on Amazon.com Weighted bracelet - Product website Podcast When Life Gives You Parkinson’s Podcast Acid reflux podcast  Community Group PD Avengers Get all the links and the episode transcript by visiting the website here. This episode is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global. What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear from you. Please visit healthunmuted.com/feedback to let us know! Note: Links and resources provided are for informational purposes only. There is no commercial relationship between the organizations referenced and the publisher of this podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to slowing down the progression of Parkinson’s disease, exercise is critical. But you don't need to be a lifelong athlete to benefit.  In this episode, we hear why exercise is so important, and some easy ways people living with Parkinson’s can get started today.  We also cover the importance of physical and occupational therapy, and hear tips on how home adaptations can help manage symptoms. For more links and resources, visit our website at HealthUnmuted.com Resources The benefits of exercise Study to show exercise improves depression in Parkinson’s patients  Benefits of exercise for slowing parkinson’s disease - Parkinson's Foundation  Downloadable resources on benefits of exercise for PD - Stanford Medicine Why you should exercise - Parkinson’s Foundation Terms Mentioned: GERD, Gastroesophageal reflux disease - Mayo Clinic Exercise guides Skills and Wellness channel - Youtube - Mobility videos Parkinson’s foundation - Youtube - Fitness Friday videos Step by Step Physio Movements - Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery MENTOR Program  Exercise videos - Brian Grant Foundation Home Adaptations  Easy changes to make around the house - Davis Phinney Foundation Video Bathroom and grooming aids - Parkinson’s Foundation Webinar on creating a safe home environment - Parkinson’s Foundation Podcast Parkinson's Podcast by the Davis Phinney Foundation Community Group PD Avengers Get all the links and the episode transcript by visiting the website here. This episode is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global. What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear from you. Please visit healthunmuted.com/feedback to let us know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There's no cure for Parkinson's disease, but there are ways to manage it and treat symptoms. In this episode, we explore how different types of medications can help, and the importance of clinical trials in progressing treatment options.  We hear from people who are living with Parkinson’s disease about their medication journeys.   We also discuss an alternative surgical treatment that is available: deep brain stimulation.   For more links and resources, visit our website at HealthUnmuted.com Resources Medication Medication explained - Mayo Clinic Webinar about on/off time - Michael J Fox foundation  Parkinson’s Drugs- Parkinson’s UK Resource FDA Approved Medications-  APDA Terms Mentioned Carbidopa-levodopa - Mayo Clinic Sinemet, Parcopa, Duopa and other brand names for Sinemet - on Medscape Dopamine agonists (pramipexole, ropinirole) - Mayo Clinic Dyskinesia- Parkinson Foundation Deep Brain Stimulation - Mayo Clinic Alternative Surgical Treatment Option Deep Brain Stimulation - Parkinson's Org Clinical Trials Clinical Trials- Parkinson’s Foundation Clinical Trials Recruiting- Cure Parkinsons Podcasts Parkinson's Foundation Podcast Community Group PD Avengers Get all the links and the episode transcript by visiting the website here.   This episode is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global. What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear from you. Please visit healthunmuted.com/feedback to let us know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Does Parkinson’s only affect older people?   A common misconception is that Parkinson’s disease only affects people in the later stages of life, but that isn’t always the case.  Young-Onset Parkinson’s disease refers to people who are diagnosed much earlier, sometimes in their 20’s or 30’s.   In this episode, we hear from three people who are living with Young-Onset Parkinon’s disease about their experiences, and the impact on and adjustments to their careers, health decisions and family life after diagnosis.  For more links and resources, visit our website at HealthUnmuted.com Resources Talking about Parkinson's Talking to your Children about Parkinson’s - Michael J Fox Foundation My parent has parkinson’s fact sheet - Parkinson’s Foundation  Talking to your employer about PD - Parkinson’s Foundation  Terms from this Episode Hand Dystonia : "excessive, involuntary muscle contractions in the fingers, hand, forearm, and sometimes shoulder" - Dystonia Foundation Podcasts Learning About Parkinson's Podcast Young Onset 101 podcast episode - Parkinson’s Foundation  Parkinson's Life Podcast Community Group PD Avengers Get all the links and the episode transcript by visiting the website here. This episode is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global. What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear from you. Please visit healthunmuted.com/feedback to let us know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Parkinson’s disease can’t be diagnosed through a simple blood test or scan. After a referral from a primary care doctor, it often takes visits to a neurologist or movement disorder specialist before receiving a clinical diagnosis.  In this episode, we speak to healthcare providers and those living with the disease about the diagnostic process. We also explain how to build a Parkinson’s care team - a group of healthcare providers that provide support after diagnosis. For more links and resources, visit our website at HealthUnmuted.com Resources Building a care team Movement disorder specialist directory - International Parkinson’s and Movement Disorder Society Find a PD expert care center - Parkinson’s Foundation Building a care team - Michael J Fox Foundation Support after diagnosis Early signs of PD- Brain and Life Magazine (AAN) Guide to the early years after diagnosis - Michael J Fox Foundation Terms Mentioned DaTscan - test to help in the diagnosis of Parkinson’s, read more on APDA Podcast The Michael J Fox Foundation Parkinson’s Podcast Community Group PD Avengers  Get all the links and the episode transcript by visiting the website here. This episode is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global. What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear from you. Please visit healthunmuted.com/feedback to let us know! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Health Organization reports that the number of people with Parkinson's disease has doubled over the past 25 years, estimating over 8.5 million individuals living with Parkinson's globally. (1) Parkinson’s is a degenerative condition which is often associated with tremors, imbalance and rigidity, but it affects every person differently.  In this first episode of the Parkinson’s Disease Podcast, we’ll start with the basics:  What is Parkinson’s Disease?  Who is at risk of developing Parkinson’s? What are some early signs of the condition?  We’ll also hear what it’s like to live with Parkinson’s disease from those diagnosed. For more links and resources, visit our website at HealthUnmuted.com What did you think of this episode? We’d love to hear from you. Please visit healthunmuted.com/feedback to let us know! Resources What is Parkinson’s? Webinar on recognising the early signs of Parkinson’s - Parkinson’s Foundation Other parkinsonion conditions - Parkinson’s Foundation Genetic causes of Parkinson’s - Michael J Fox Foundation Webinar on sleep disorders and acting out dreams - Michael J Fox Foundation  Terms Mentioned Dopamine - WebMD Tremor and Resting Tremor - Parkinson's Foundation Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder - Mayo Clinic  Olfactory nerve - nerve relating to the sense of smell Hoehn & Yahr staging - Parkinson's Foundation Axial symptoms - these include symptoms such as walking disorders, posture disorders, and speech and swallowing disorders Helpline Parkinson’s Foundation Helpline - 1-800-4PD-INFO (473-4636) Podcast Substantial Matters: Life and Science of Parkinson’s Podcast Community Group PD Avengers Guests’ Books  Ending Parkinson’s Disease: a Prescription for Action by Ray Dorsey MD, Todd Sherer PhD, Michael S. Okun MD and Bastiaan R. Bloem MD PhD  References (1) https://www.who.int/news/item/14-06-2022-launch-of-who-s-parkinson-disease-technical-brief Get all the links and the episode transcript by visiting the website here. This episode is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The World Health Organization reports that the number of people with Parkinson's disease has doubled over the past 25 years, estimating over 8.5 million individuals living with Parkinson's globally. (1) A diagnosis brings questions, concerns and fears about what lies ahead. The Parkinson’s Disease podcast is a miniseries told by people living with Parkinson’s disease, their loved ones and health experts. We explore what causes Parkinson’s, how it’s diagnosed, and the treatments that are available. And we discuss how caregivers and loved ones can cope with Parkinson's disease, too.  Listen, follow and share this series with the people in your life. Follow: Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram For informational purposes only. Please consult a registered health professional for advice. The Parkinson's Disease Podcast is made possible with support from Altoida and LSVT Global. References (1) https://www.who.int/news/item/14-06-2022-launch-of-who-s-parkinson-disease-technical-brief Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices