Therapeutic botulinum toxin, commonly referred to as Botox therapy, has been used to treat neuromuscular disorders for over 30 years. Botox® injections can be used effectively to relax excessive muscle contraction in individuals with movement disorders. Botox is a mainstay treatment of dystonia.
Dehydration is always a risk of disease and aging. Dehydration in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a major health concern. Symptoms of PD contribute to and also mask dehydration, and the risks associated with becoming dehydrated can significantly worsen already compromised neurological function.
Knowing the risk factors, signs of dehydration and steps for staying hydrated can help you manage this concern, whether you’re a caretaker or someone with Parkinson’s.
Patients with a movement disorder such as Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and essential tremor often consider deep brain stimulation (DBS) implant surgery to stabilize their symptoms, reduce the need for medications and to provide more consistent relief of symptoms in medication off-periods.
During this surgery, the surgeon implants thin insulated wires called electrodes into one or both sides of the brain to stimulate areas of the brain that control movement. Unlike other brain surgeries to address movement disorders, DBS does not damage brain tissue and can be reversed if other treatments become available.
The changes in the brain that cause motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease spread gradually but in time they often begin to affect mental functions, including memory and the ability to pay attention, make sound judgments and plan the steps needed to complete a task, known as “executive function.” Medication treatment is available for secondary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease affecting mental function, such as dementia, psychosis and impaired executive function.
There have been several exciting recent developments in the realization of advanced treatment options and new medications for Parkinson’s disease. Patients with PD should consider seeking a medication review at least annually to see if they can benefit from the latest developments for treatment of PD.
Dystonia is a complex neurological disorder characterized by involuntary repetitive twisting and sustained muscle contractions. Dystonia treatment is highly specialized and is best managed by a neurologist with special training in movement disorders.
Therapeutic Botulinum toxin, commonly referred to as “Botox therapy,” and other nerve blocks have been successfully used to treat neurological and musculoskeletal disorders such as dystonia, spasticity and cerebral palsy for the past 30+ years. Learn how Botox Therapy is used to manage spasms, stiffness and muscle pain associated with debilitating neurological disorders.
New legislation to create a national data collection system for Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders to support better research and services will be discussed during an upcoming meeting of the Capital Area Parkinson’s Society. Supported by the Parkinson’s Action Network, the H.R. 292 bill would allow for collection of data such as the geography of diagnoses, variances in gender, disease burden and changes in healthcare practices among patients to be used in a range of research initiatives and in evaluating and planning our nation’s health care needs,
