The New Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book: Partnering with Your Doctor To Get the Most from Your Medications 2 Revised edition

Marc Notes: Revision of: Parkinson's disease treatment book. 2005.; Includes index. Table of Contents: Acknowledgments 1. Background Part I. Basic Facts about the Brain and Parkinson's Disease 2. Primer on the Brain3. Parkinson's Disease: Changes in the Brain and Beyond Part II. Parkinson's Disease: Diagnosis and Prognosis 4. How do I Know If I Have Parkinson's Disease?5. Prognosis Part III. 6. Conditions Mistaken for Parkinson's Disease7. Testing Part IV. The Cause and Progression of Parkinson's Disease 8. Clues to the Cause(s): Genes, Environment9. Drugs or Strategies to Slow Parkinson's Disease Progression? Part V. The Movement Problems of Parkinson's Disease: Medication Rationale and Choices 10. Medications for Movement Problems (Gait, Tremor, Slowness): Background and Rationale11. Starting Medical Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Movement Problems Part VI. Beginning Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: Medication Guidelines 12. Starting Levodopa Treatment13. Starting Dopamine Agonist Treatment14. Refractory Tremor Syndromes: "Medications Don't Help My Tremor!" Part VII. The Early Years on Medications 15. The First Few Years on Carbidopa/Levodopa Treatment16. The Early Years of Parkinson's Disease If Started on Other Drugs Part VIII. Later Medication Inconsistency: Motor Fluctuations and Dyskinesias 17. Later-Developing Movement Problems: Motor Fluctuations and Dyskinesias Treated with Levodopa Adjustments 18. Supplemental Drugs for Motor Fluctuations and Dyskinesias Part IX. Other Treatment Problems: Not Just a Movement Disorder 19. Subjective Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Due to Dopamine Deficiency20. Sleep Problems: Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness, and Nighttime Disruptions 21. Orthostatic Hypotension and Other Causes of Dizziness22. Depression23. Thinking, Memory, and Dementia24. Hallucinations, Paranoia, Delusions, and Problematic Compulsive Behaviors25. Problems with Swallowing, Saliva, and Speaking26. Managing Digestive Problems and Constipation27. Urinary Symptoms28. Sexual Dysfunction, Estrogen, and Menstrual cycles29. Other Treatment Problems: Swelling, Skin rashes, and Visual symptoms Part X. Nutrition, Exercise, Work, and Family 30. Diets, Vitamins, Nutrition, Osteoporosis31. Exercise, Physical Medicine, and Physical Therapy32. Family, Friends, the Workplace, and Caregivers Part XI. Surgery and Procedures for Parkinson's Disease: Present and Future 33. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Other Brain Surgery for Parkinson's Disease 34. Experimental Treatments: Fetal and Stem Cell Implantation; Neurotrophic Hormone and Gene Therapy; Vaccines and Immunotherapy Part XII. Parkinson's Disease Information Services 35. Support and advocacy groups; the Internet Glossary IndexBiographical Note: J. Eric Ahlskog, PhD, MD, is Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Medical School, and Chair of the Mayo Section of Movement Disorders, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Widely considered to be a leading authority on this disorder, he has more than 30 years of experience treating people with Parkinson's Disease, both in the clinic as a full-time, patient-seeing neurologist, and as a clinical-investigator responsible for PD treatment protocols. Review Quotes:"Eric Ahlskog of the Mayo Clinic is one of the country's leading experts in Parkinson's disease. His The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book is comprehensive and informative and will be a welcome addition to the library of patients with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers." --Nathan Slewett, Chaiman Emeritus, National Parkinson Foundation "Dr. Ahlskog writes with true authority based on his strong scientific background, vast clinical experience, and ability to synthesize laboratory science and clinical acumen in a manner digestible and useful for the non-physician. 'Be a partner, not a patient' is an admonition that is particularly constructive in optimizing the interactions between patients with Parkinson's disease and their caregivers. In order to be an effective partner, it is essential that patients and their caregivers develop a basic, core understanding of the diagnosis, treatment, course, and likely complications of the disease. A careful reading of The Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book is a substantial first step for patients in assuming full partnership."--G. Frederick Wooten, M. D., Chairman of the Scientific Advisory Board, American Parkinson Disease Association "Dr. Ahlskog, one of the top specialists in Parkinson's disease, has put down in this wonderful book up-to-date information on all aspects of Parkinson's disease as well as his extensive experience and wisdom gained by caring for, and especially caring about, people with Parkinson's disease for over two decades. It is filled with practical information and written in a style that is sophisticated enough to be useful but at the same time easily understandable by people with Parkinson's disease, their friends, and their families. As information is one of the most potent therapies for people dealing with Parkinson's disease, this book represents a major treatment breakthrough."--Stephen G. Reich, M. D., Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, The University of Maryland School of Medicine "Dr. Ahlskog has provided a remarkably readable and immensely useful book on the treatment of Parkinson's disease, addressed to patients and their caregivers. He lays out a wise approach to this complex and multifaceted disease which comes from many years of his own personal experience. What shines through is his very special sensitivity to his patients and a lucid understanding of their needs. All aspects of the disease are covered.... Special attention is paid to the many non-motor problems that are all too often neglected in the treatment of patients such as anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, sexuality issues, and problems with bladder, bowel, and blood pressure regulation. Most importantly, many of the myths and ill-conceived notions surrounding the treatment of Parkinson's disease are met head on and convincingly dispelled."--Daniel Tarsy, M. D., Chief, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center "Dr. Ahlskog has again produced a uniquely informative, focused, and readable treatise on Parkinson's disease. Unlike many other guides for Parkinson's patients, this one doesn't attempt to present the entire confusing universe of disparate management options, but rather presents the well-informed opinions of a single seasoned and highly respected practitioner. Virtually every rational question that a patient might pose is addressed here using scientifically correct, but eminently understandable language. Parkinson's disease patients, their care-givers, and their physicians will all benefit from this treasure trove of clinical wisdom." -Robert Rodnitzky, MD, Director of the Division of Movement Disorders, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine"Dr. Eric Ahlskog from the Mayo Clinic is the leading authority on Parkinson's disease. With over thirty years of experience treating Parkinson's disease patients, Dr. Ahlskog shares his expertise on treating all of the possible symptoms that a patient may encounter in the different stages of PD. His advice is direct and understandable. Patients and caregivers will turn to this book again and again over the years to answer their questions and use the information to better partner with their healthcare providers in achieving the best possible outcome. I will recommend this book to all of my patients as the main source for learning about the disease and the available treatment options." -Kevin J. Klos, MD, Movement Disorder Clinic of Oklahoma"Hundreds of questions will arise during the course of Parkinson's disease regarding diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment options. Dr. Ahlskog draws on his decades of neurological practice to lay out information that answers just about all of these questions. Information is power, and the well-informed patient is in the best position to navigate this condition. The book can be read cover to cover, or the reader can turn to the topic of interest and find explanations delivered in a conversational style. Many of my patients use the first edition as a guide, and are eagerly awaiting this updated version." -Padraig O'Suilleabhain, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center"Dr. Ahlskog has written a go-to text: straight forward, down-to-earth, and eminently readable. With his PhD focused on pharmacology, and his many years of research and clinical experience as a neurologist and a director of the Mayo Clinic's PD program, there is no one I trust more than Eric. Unlike others in the field, he has never compromised himself to the fashion of the day. I recommend this book wholeheartedly to professionals, patients, and their families." -Bradley C. Hiner, MD, Professor of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin and Neurologic Director, Deep Brain Stimulation ProgramPublisher Marketing: The fundamental guide to the most effective treatments for Parkinson's Disease, from a Mayo Clinic doctor with thirty years of clinical and research experience. In this second edition follow-up to the extremely successful first edition, Dr. Ahlskog draws on thirty years of clinical experience to present the definitive guide to dealing with all aspects of Parkinson's Disease, from treatment options and side effects to the impact of the disease on caregivers and family. Dr. Ahlskog's goal is to educate patients so that they can better team up with their doctors to do battle with the disease, streamlining the decision-making process and enhancing their treatment. To do this, Dr. Ahlskog offers a gold mine of information, distilled from more than 30 years of experience treating people with Parkinson's at the Mayo Clinic. In addition to providing a comprehensive account of Parkinson's medications, this book also examines additional aspects of treatment, such as the role of nutrition, exercise, and physical therapy. Although many commendable texts have been written on the subject of Parkinson's Disease, their discussions of treatment have not been in depth. Dr. Ahlskog sifts through aspects of the disease in order to give the reader a comprehensive sense of Parkinson's and the best available treatment options. With a broader understanding of the disease and the available options, patients are able to make more informed choices, and doctors are able to provide more tailored care. This book delivers hopeful, helpful, and extensive information to all parties concerned: patients, caregivers, and doctors. The ultimate guide to symptoms and treatment, this thoroughly updated second edition is the first place patients should turn for reliable, easy-to-grasp information on Parkinson's Disease.

Contributor Bio:  Ahlskog, J Eric J. Eric Ahlskog, M. D. is Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Medical School, and Chair of the Mayo Section of Movement Disorders, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Widely considered to be a leading authority on this disorder, he has over twenty years of experience treating people with Parkinson'sDisease, both in the clinic as a full-time, patient-seeing neurologist, and as a clinical-investigator, responsible for PD treatment protocols.