Parkinson’s Disease & End of Life

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

End-Stage Parkinson’s Disease & Risk of Death It’s hard to think about the tough stuff. The what ifs, the...see more worst-case scenarios, the unknowns. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive condition, which means that it gets worse with time. However, for many people, the worsening is gradual, maybe even imperceptible at times. This affords you many […]

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Bringing Parkinson’s awareness to the big screen: John’s story

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

How John Became an Unlikely Celebrity When John Capone was first diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease (PD) at the young...see more age of 39, he never imagined acting in a movie with A-list celebrities. The news of his diagnosis was tough to handle at first, and he quickly became overwhelmed by depression and anxiety. But this tough […]

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Unique Influences on Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

How Geography, high altitude and cold weather can play a role Through APDA’s Ask the Doctor portal, we receive...see more many questions on a vast array of topics. (Feel free to submit your own question at any time.) Many readers have noted that geographic or seasonal factors seem to impact their Parkinson’s disease (PD) symptoms and […]

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Wearable devices that suppress Parkinson’s disease tremor

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Non-Invasive Devices to Suppress Tremors For some people with Parkinson’s disease (PD), medication doses treat their tremor very well....see more However, for others, medication doses are clearly effective for symptoms of slowness and stiffness, but they are ineffective for their tremor. In these cases, deep brain stimulation (DBS) or focused ultrasound may be suggested to help […]

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Young Onset Parkinson’s Disease: Bryan’s Story

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Bryan Hill: Living with Young Onset Parkinson’s Parkinson’s disease (PD) is often thought of as an older person’s disease....see more But did you know that people in their 30s and 40s can also be diagnosed? It’s called Young or Early Onset Parkinson’s disease (YOPD or EOPD) and to raise awareness and shed light on the perspective […]

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Why exercise is critical for people with Parkinson’s disease

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

The Benefits of Exercise for Parkinson’s Disease Your family and friends are constantly encouraging you to exercise. Your doctors...see more tell you that exercise is a vital component of Parkinson’s disease (PD) treatment. APDA programming includes exercise programs as a way for people with PD to gain control over their disease. But is exercise worth all […]

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Occupational Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: Tips and Tricks

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

How to treat Parkinson’s disease symptoms with occupational therapy Parkinson’s disease (PD) can introduce all types of challenges into...see more your daily life, including those that interfere with simple activities that you used to take for granted – such as eating, writing, and using a cell phone. Sometimes medication changes can help you move more easily, […]

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A Post-COVID World With Parkinson’s Disease

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Since March 2020, we have been navigating the strange COVID-19 reality, a reality that kept shifting and continues to...see more keep shifting. The impact of COVID-19 affected every part of our lives. First and foremost, it changed how we interacted with friends and family, but also changed how we shopped, how we exercised, how we gathered, […]

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Impaired Balance and Falls in People with Parkinson’s Disease

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Balance Impairment and Falls in Parkinson’s Disease One of the most challenging symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that fundamentally...see more affects quality of life is balance impairment that can lead to falls. Falls are one of the major causes of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for people with PD, so finding ways to prevent as many […]

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Practical Tips on Living Well with Parkinson’s Disease from our PD Community

Posted on by Rebecca Gilbert, MD, Ph.D.

Improve your Routine with Helpful Advice & Tips from People with PD & Care Partners Last month, I hosted...see more Dr. Joseph Friedman, a movement disorders neurologist and the Medical Director of the APDA Rhode Island Chapter and Information & Referral Center, for a conversation about small changes in your routine that can have a big […]

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