Parkinson's Disease Patient Handbook: From the Rush University Parkinson's Disease Program

By Deborah Hall MD PhD

This handbook was written to guide patients with Parkinson's disease and their loved ones as they gather information, use therapeutics to treat symptoms, and progress in their disease over time. It offers necessary information and provides a list of resources available to patients at the Rush University program. Receiving a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease is a challenge that many people face, but this team of authors and contributors hope to provide information that can improve quality of life for patients with Parkinson's disease.

The "Parkinson's Disease Patient Handbook" begins with an introduction to the disease and how to make peace with the diagnosis. Soon after, the book dives into therapeutic strategies, how to get the most out of the doctor's visits, and the role of exercise and diet in the disease. There also are chapters that address symptoms and signs that occur later, such as cognitive changes and the benefits of interventional therapy. This is a must-read book for anyone who has been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, or anyone who has a loved one who is affected by it.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 31, 2023
• ISBN: 9781098386849

Book preview

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Parkinson’s Disease Patient Handbook

From the Rush University Parkinson’s Disease Program

©2021 Deborah Hall

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

print ISBN: 978-1-09838-683-2

ebook ISBN: 978-1-09838-684-9

Contents

CONTRIBUTORS:

Introduction: I Have Parkinson’s Disease, Now What?

Chapter 1: What Causes Parkinson’s Disease?

Chapter 2: Finding Peace with the Diagnosis

Chapter 3: Optimizing Care with your Provider

Chapter 4: The Role of Exercise in Treating Parkinson’s disease

Chapter 5: Medication Strategies for Parkinson’s Disease

Chapter 6: Health Insurance and Employment Issues

Chapter 7: Diet, Nutrition, and Parkinson’s Disease

Chapter 8: Interventional therapy in Parkinson’s disease

Chapter 9: Genetics of Parkinson’s disease

Chapter 10: Cognition in Parkinson’s Disease:

Chapter 11: Hope for the Future: Participating in Research for Parkinson’s Disease

Chapter 12: Rush University Parkinson Disease Program Specific Information

Rush Provider Contact and Locations

CONTRIBUTORS:

EDITORS

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Deborah Hall, MD, PhD

Professor

Neurologist, Parkinson’s Foundation Chair in Neurological Sciences; Director, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders

Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Natalie Witek, MD, MS

Assistant Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Abhimanyu Mahajan, MD, MHS

Assistant Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

RUSH PROVIDERS/AUTHORS

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Mitra Afshari, MD, MPH

Assistant Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Bryan Bernard, PhD

Assistant Professor

Neuropsychologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Sharlet Anderson, PhD

Assistant Professor

Neuropsychologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Christa Cooper, MPH, MMS, PA-C

Physician Assistant

Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Brandon Barton, MD, MS

Associate Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College; Attending, Jesse Brown Veterans Administration Hospital

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https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Jori Fleisher, MD, MSCE

Associate Professor

Neurologist, Department of Neurological Sciences; Section of Movement Disorders; Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Chandler Gill, MD

Assistant Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College; Attending, Rush Oak Park

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Alana Kirby, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Christopher Goetz, MD

Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Aikaterini Kompoliti, MD

Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Jessica Karl, PhD, PA-C

Instructor

Physician Assistant, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Leonard Verhagen Metman, MD, PhD

Professor Emeritus

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Neepa Patel, MD

Associate Professor

Neurologist, Director, Interventional Program, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

https://www.rushu.rush.edu/sites/default/files/Rush%20Medical%20College/hall_deborah%20a_rmc.jpg

Matthew Wodziak, MD

Assistant Professor

Neurologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College; Attending Rush Copley Aurora

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

Puja Agarwal, PhD

Assistant Professor

Department of Internal Medicine, Rush Medical College

Meagan Bailey, MD MS

Neurologist

Wilmington, North Carolina

Teresa Chmura, MS

Research Manager

Research Administration, Rush University Medical Center

Georgian Folino, RN

Nurse

Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center

Lisa Franklin

Administrative Assistant

Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center

Kristin Gustashaw, MS, RDN, LDN, CSG

Clinical Dietitian

Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center

Gian Pal, MD, MS

Assistant Professor

Neurologist, Division of Movement disorder

Department of Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School; New Brunswick, New Jersey

Ali Keshavarzian, MD

Professor

Gastroenterologist, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition, Rush University Medical Center

Marc Rosenbaum, MS, CGC

Genetic Counselor

Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center

Glenn Stebbins, PhD

Professor

Neuropsychologist, Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College

Sarah Strait, RN

Nurse

Section of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders; Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center

Introduction:

I Have Parkinson’s Disease, Now What?

Deborah Hall, MD PhD

Getting a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (or PD) for most patients can be unexpected or downright shocking. Fortunately, there is a large amount of information and many people who are trained to help you navigate this new journey. Our understanding of what happens in the brain in Parkinson’s disease is much better than many other brain diseases. There are proven therapies that can improve symptoms and quality of life. In many situations, these therapies are prescribed by physicians and team members who devote their entire careers to treating Parkinson’s disease patients and moving the science forward. Our team has experience in treating all types of Parkinson’s patients, young and older, men and women, tremor dominant or not, and offer this handbook to be a guide in your own journey with this disease.

At the time my husband was diagnosed, we didn’t know much about PD. I was aware of excessive movements. It wasn’t a devastating diagnosis. We said ‘OK, oh well’. We made a commitment to sign up for every symposium and read books about this disease. We wanted to keep it from moving it along too fast. My husband is Japanese and raised in the Buddhist tradition and he believes that birth and death are on a continuum. He is less afraid than others might be. It also makes my life easier in taking care of him. He has acceptance and determination to do his best every day. I count my blessings every day.

(Kitty)

"When I got the news, I was knocked off my feet about the diagnosis. I am a breast cancer survivor and I thought that I had used up my bad luck in my life having cancer. I had retired at 62 and it was not a year