First Hints Parkinsons Can Be Stopped
Health and science reporter, BBC News website
It may be possible to stop the progression of Parkinsons disease with a drug normally used in type 2 diabetes, a clinical trial suggests.
Current drugs help manage the symptoms, but do not prevent brain cells dying.
The trial on 62 patients, published in the Lancet, hints the medicine halted the progression of the disease.
The University College London team is excited, but it urges caution as any long-term benefit is uncertain and the drug needs more testing.
Theres absolutely no doubt the most important unmet need in Parkinsons is a drug to slow down disease progression, its unarguable, Prof Tom Foltynie, one of the researchers, told the BBC.
In Parkinsons, the brain is progressively damaged and the cells that produce the hormone dopamine are lost.
It leads to a tremor, difficulty moving and eventually memory problems.
Therapies help manage symptoms by boosting dopamine levels, but the death of the brain continues and the disease gets worse.
No drug stops that happening.
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Join The Parkinsons Forums: An Online Community For People With Parkinsons Disease And Their Caregivers
A total of 552 patients had at least one Parkinsons non-motor symptom, with 74% reporting sleep disorder or fatigue and 62.7% attention or memory impairments. The rarest manifestation was perceptual problems or hallucinations, which affected 3.7% of patients.
Men showed a higher incidence of urinary and sexual dysfunction, and a significantly lower incidence of sleep issues or fatigue, mood changes or apathy, and attention or memory impairments than women.
The team also found that patients with late-onset disease had a significantly higher incidence of perceptual problems or hallucinations, attention or memory deficits, as well as gastrointestinal, urinary, and sexual dysfunctions than early-onset Parkinsons patients.
Overall, patients who were depressed and those who had worse non-motor symptoms, in particular sleep problems or fatigue, mood alterations or apathy, attention or memory impairments, or gastrointestinal symptoms, were found to have a poorer quality of life.
Our study suggests that NMS is common in drug-naïve PD patients, the researchers wrote.
NMS, especially sleep/ fatigue, mood/apathy, attention/memory, and gastrointestinal symptoms, are dramatic determinants on decreased QoL in PD patients, they added. Management of non-motor symptoms is of great importance to improve the quality of life of early stage Parkinsons disease patients.
Seek Anxiety Help At Midwest Detox
Anxiety and addiction cause a vicious cycle, but you can break free with the right treatment. At Midwest Detox in Maumee, Ohio, we offer addiction treatment and therapies to help you recover. We will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs. Contact us today at , or contact us online to begin your recovery journey.
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Can You Recover From Anxiety Without Medication
Im not a doctor, so I cant tell you if you can recover from anxiety without medical intervention or if there are other methods that you can use to overcome anxiety. I can tell you that I have been affected by anxiety and have been able to overcome it. I have been able to do it without the use of medications, although I have been on medication at times to help with a few things which caused anxiety. I have been able to do it without a therapist, although a therapist would have helped me a great deal. The two things that have led to my success have been meditation and exercise. I believe both of those things have old me a great deal of peace and have helped me to overcome my anxiety. If you think that those methods would work for you, or if you go to a doctor or a therapist, then I think that your anxiety can be overcome..
Major Anxiety Disorders Include:
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder , is when you get anxious about most every day situations and are unable to remember the last time you were in a relaxed mental state. This state of anxiety is caused by an imbalance in the brain chemicals that are involved in the regulation of a persons moods, serotonin, and noradrenaline a combination of past trauma such as violence, abuse, or bullying chronic pain condition or hereditary factors, among others.
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder can cause a person to have obsessive, intrusive thoughts that can be distressing or an overwhelming desire or compulsion to perform a routine repeatedly. This could be reflected in his or her habits, be it cleaning or washing hands unnecessarily, arranging items in a drawer in a certain way, folding away clothes, etc.
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder , caused after a particularly stressful period such as being in a war zone, surviving an attack or a tragic accident, or incident due to a natural disaster, and so on.
- Phobias, experienced due to an excessive and irrational fear of a creature, place or event, such as bees, spiders, heights, the dark, tight spaces, fire, and so on.
- Panic Attacks, cause irrational and heightened anxiety periods accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, sweating, cold hands and feet, inability to breathe or hyperventilate, etc.
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What Causes Parkinsons Disease
A substance called dopamine acts as a messenger between two brain areas the substantia nigra and the corpus striatum to produce smooth, controlled movements. Most of the movement-related symptoms of Parkinsons disease are caused by a lack of dopamine due to the loss of dopamine-producing cells in the substantia nigra. When the amount of dopamine is too low, communication between the substantia nigra and corpus striatum becomes ineffective, and movement becomes impaired the greater the loss of dopamine, the worse the movement-related symptoms. Other cells in the brain also degenerate to some degree and may contribute to non-movement-related symptoms of Parkinsons disease.
Although it is well known that lack of dopamine causes the motor symptoms of Parkinsons disease, it is not clear why the dopamine-producing brain cells deteriorate.
- Genetic and pathological studies have revealed that various dysfunctional cellular processes, inflammation, and stress can all contribute to cell damage.
- In addition, abnormal clumps called Lewy bodies, which contain the protein alpha-synuclein, are found in many brain cells of individuals with Parkinsons disease. The function of these clumps in regards to Parkinsons disease is not understood.
In general, scientists suspect that dopamine loss is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
The Effects Of Depression In Your Body
Depression is one of the most common mental health illnesses in the United States, affecting about 26 percent of adults. Depression is technically a mental disorder, but it also affects your physical health and well-being. Learn more about some of the most common symptoms of depression, as well as how depression can affect your entire body, especially if left untreated.
symptoms of depression . Its estimated that each year 17 million American adults will experience depression. However, clinical depression, especially left untreated, can interrupt your day-to-day life and cause a ripple effect of additional symptoms.
Depression affects how you feel and can also cause changes in your body. Major depression is considered a serious medical condition that may have a dramatic effect on your quality of life.
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Signs And Symptoms Of Depression
While we usually think of depression as feeling sad or down for a long period of time, the symptoms of depression can vary. Symptoms include:
- Constantly feeling sad, empty, or hopeless
- Changes in appetite that are unrelated to diet goals, such as eating too little or too much
- Changes in sleeping patterns that can range from insomnia to sleeping too much
- Feeling fatigue or a lack of energy
- Losing interest or losing pleasure in your usual hobbies
- Feeling restless, irritable or frustrated, even over small issues
- Having trouble concentrating or remembering things
- Feeling guilty, worthless, or like you are not enough
- Frequently having thoughts of death or suicide. These can range from expressing thoughts like, I wish I were dead, to making plans about how you would end your life.
Depression can also have physical symptoms, like unexplained frequent headaches, stomach aches, or back aches. There are many medical issues with symptoms that are similar to the symptoms of depression, including chronic pain, migraines, and thyroid disorders. If you are experiencing these symptoms for an extended period of time with no relief, consulting a physician can help you determine whether you are experiencing a physical or mental health issue.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and dont know how to get started treating them, you can text START to 741741 or call 1-800-273-TALK for a free and confidential conversation at any time.
What Anxiety Help Is Available
Mental health disorders are treatable conditions, just like physical diseases. Anxiety treatment can help relieve the symptoms of anxiety. Anxiety can leave you feeling confused and not in control of your own thoughts. Understanding the disorder can help you cope with symptoms.
This treatment often includes medication and therapy. Medication can address the symptoms of anxiousness. This can improve your mental health state, so you can better manage the disorder through treatment and therapy.
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Can The Effects Of Depression Be Reversed
Depression is fully manageable and treatable, and recovery is possible.
If youve experienced untreated depression for a long time, some effects might not be reversed. For example, chronic inflammation in your body might have already caused some physical changes.
This is not always the case, though. Some effects and symptoms of depression can be fully reversed.
Seeking the help of a health professional might help diminish the effects of depression on your body. It can also help you manage your current symptoms and prevent future occurrences.
There are different types of depression that may require specific treatment plans.
In general, side effects of depression can be treated with:
- Medication. Antidepressants are a common form of treatment for depression. Consider discussing the side effects of depression medication with your health care team.
- Therapy. Counseling for people with depression is often built on evidence-based approaches like:
What Happens To The Brain Over Time When Depression Goes Untreated
We all have our dark days, but depression isnt about being frustrated with minor setbacks that may occur when you dont get your way. Symptoms of major depressive disorder significantly interfere with everyday activities, work and personal lives.
According to the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance, approximately 14.8 million American adults, or 6.7 percent of the United States population over age 18, are affected by MDD every year. Depression can last anywhere from a few days to a few years, but longer-lasting and intense forms of depression may display five or more of the following symptoms at least once a day over the course of two weeks:
- Feelings of sadness, emptiness, hopelessness
- Lack of interest in things and activities you once enjoyed
- Sleeping too much/too little
- Thoughts of suicide or attempts of suicide
- Excessive feelings of guilt or worthlessness
Three parts of the brain that appear to play a role in MDD are the hippocampus , amygdala , and prefrontal cortex . Here are the following long-term effects on the brain when MDD goes untreated.
Memory problemsDuring normal times of physical and mental stress, the body releases cortisol, which works with your brain to control your mood, motivation, and fear. In depression, excessive amounts of cortisol are released and the long-term exposure to these levels can slow the production of new neurons, causing the hippocampus to shrink. As a result, memories are blurred, and at times altered.
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Who Gets Anxiety Disorders
Anxiety disorders affect about 40 million American adults every year. Anxiety disorders also affect children and teens. About 8% of teens ages 13 to 18 have an anxiety disorder, with symptoms starting around age 6.5
Women are more than twice as likely as men to get an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.2 Also, some types of anxiety disorders affect some women more than others:
- Generalized anxiety disorder affects more American Indian/Alaskan Native women than women of other races and ethnicities. GAD also affects more white women and Hispanic women than Asian or African-American women.6
- Social phobia and panic disorder affect more white women than women of other races and ethnicities.7
How Is Gad Diagnosed
Generalized anxiety disorder is diagnosed by a mental health clinician who can help determine whether the symptoms your child is experiencing is related to an anxiety disorder or another medical condition. The mental health clinician will make the diagnosis following a comprehensive assessment, which includes a diagnostic with you and your child. During the assessment, parents are asked to talk about their childs anxiety symptoms and related behavior. You will also be asked to give an overview of your childs family history, medical history, social history, and social interactions. Sometimes parent or child questionnaires are used to help clarify the diagnosis.
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Drug And Alcohol Misuse
Some studies have shown that conditions that cause intense anxiety, such as panic disorder, can also increase your risk of developing an alcohol or drug problem.
The side effects or withdrawal symptoms of both prescribed medication and illegal drugs can increase the symptoms of anxiety.
Smoking and caffeine can also make your anxiety symptoms worse, so you should try to give up smoking and limit the amount of caffeine in your diet.
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How Is Sleep Disrupted By Untreated Depression
One of the most telling symptoms of clinical depression is a change in sleep patterns. Though the most common problem is insomnia , people sometimes feel an increased need for sleep and experience excessive energy loss. Lack of sleep can cause some of the same symptoms as depression — extreme tiredness, loss of energy, and difficulty concentrating or making decisions.
In addition, untreated depression may result in weight gain or loss, feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, and irritability. Treating the depression helps the person get control over all of these depression symptoms.
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Why Is Untreated Depression Considered To Be A Disability
Depression can render people disabled in their work life, family life, and social life. Left untreated, clinical depression is as costly as heart disease or AIDS to the U.S. economy. Untreated depression is responsible for more than 200 million days lost from work each year. The annual cost of untreated depression is more than $43.7 billion in absenteeism from work, lost productivity, and direct treatment costs.
Suicide Threats Or Attempts
Depressed teens have a high rate of suicide due to experiencing significant emotional pain that they want to stop. According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, suicide is the second leading cause of death for teens in the U.S.
Depression is a major risk factor for teen suicide. Other risk factors include family history, trauma, abuse, life stress, eating disorders, bullying, and drug or alcohol misuse.
Untreated depression can affect teens in devastating ways which makes it critically important to get help for a teen who is showing signs of this condition.
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Can Anxiety Permanently Damage Your Brain
Yes, anxiety can permanently damage your brain. High levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, can take a toll on the hippocampus, which is linked to learning, memory, and emotions. According to Harvard Health Publishing , repeated stress responses can shrink the hippocampus by about 8 percent. Other parts of the brain can be affected as well. The amygdala, which learns to fear things, may grow bigger, creating anxiety . The prefrontal cortex, which assesses threats, may grow smaller..
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What Is Parkinsons Disease
Parkinson disease is one of the most commonneurodegenerative disorders causing progressive disability. It is a disease without a cure, but that can slow down with proper treatment.
The disease predominantly affects the basal ganglia, a group of nuclei at the base of the brain, and the substantia nigra. Nerve cells in the substantia nigra produce the neurotransmitter dopamine. They are responsible for relaying messages that plan and control body movement.
Furthermore, body movement is controlled by a complex chain of decisions involving many groups of nerve cells. These are the ganglia. Information comes to the striatum, a central area of the brain that works with the substantia nigra to send impulses back and forth from the spinal cord to the brain.
When dopamine receptors in the striatum receive an inadequate stimulus, parts of the basal ganglia are under or over-stimulated. Depending on the stimulation, this can cause movement symptoms like tremor or rigidity.
In Parkinsons disease patients, the nerve cells that produce dopamine are dying. Parkinsons disease symptoms occur when the nerve cells emit an impulse, and there is not enough dopamine to transmit it.
The 2 significant body findings in Parkinsons disease are the loss of pigmented dopaminergic nerve cells of the substantia nigra and the presence of Lewy bodies in the brain. Before the movement or motor signs of Parkinson disease emerge, approximately 60-80% of dopaminergic neurons are already lost.
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Depression Treatment Can Help
Finding the right treatment for depression could help in numerous ways. Not only do people feel better, but they go back to doing things that are important in their lives, like spending time with family and friends, said Dr. Doerfler.
Reaching out to your doctor is the first step toward a happier, more fulfilling life. He or she may direct you toward talk therapy with a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional. Your doctor can help you find the right medication to treat the condition.
In addition to following through with treatment for depression, its also important to focus on self-care. Make room in your routine for exercising, eating a healthy diet, and participating in activities that you enjoy.
If you ever feel like your symptoms are worsening, let your doctor know. Together, you can rethink your strategy for fighting depression.
You can read about other people who have overcome their depression struggles at . To read more about this topic, please read our blog post at .
Our articles are for informational purposes only and are reviewed by our Medical Information team, which includes PharmDs, MDs, and PhDs. Do not make any changes to your current medications or dosing without consulting your healthcare provider.