In recent years, new treatments have vastly improved the lives of people with Parkinson's disease by substantially reducing the occurrence of symptoms and significantly delaying the onset of disabilities. This guide offers ways to help maintain a good quality of life while living with Parkinson's disease. The book helps readers to understand the disorder and offers guidelines for how to work in partnership with a physician to develop effective coping skills and make educated choices when considering the array of treatment options. Written by leading authorities on movement and neurological disorders, the book provides up-to-date information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and management of Parkinson's disease to help people cope with medical, emotional and practical challenges. Texts, illustrations and tables offer detailed information on the use of medications as well as on diet, exercise, complementary therapies, and surgery.
Topics include: symptoms of Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders; a Q&A section addressing the most commonly asked questions; practical issues of insurance, employment, healthcare choices and coping; and information on medications and side effects.
Table of Contents:
Part I Introduction: What Is Parkinson's Disease; Who Gets Parkinson's Disease? Chapter II Signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease: Early Symptoms; Moderate Parkinson's Disease; Advanced Parkinson's Disease; Behavioral Changes and Psychiatric Symptoms; Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease. Chapter III Diagnosing Parkinson's disease: How a Diagnosis Is Made; Types of Parkinsonism; Diagnosing Other Neurological Problems. Chapter IV Treatment of Parkinson's disease: How the Brain Works and How Treatment Works; Choosing the Correct Medications; Drug Therapies; Diet, Exercise, and Complementary and Alternative Therapies; Surgical Treatments. Chapter V Other issues Illness, Hospitalization, and Parkinson's Disease; Parkinson's Disease Research; Questions and Answers.
About the Author :
William J. Weiner, M.D., is the director of the Maryland Parkinson's Disease Center and a professor of neurology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. Lisa M. Shulman, M.D., is an associate professor of neurology at the University of Maryland and the Rosalyn Newman Scholar of Clinical Research in Parkinson's Disease. Anthony E. Lang, M.D., F.R.C.P., is a professor of neurology and holds the Jack Clark Chair in Parkinson's Disease Research at the University of Toronto; he is the director of the Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Center at Toronto Western Hospital, as well as the co-editor-in-chief of the journal Movement Disorders.
Review :
"Accurate in content and purged of technical vocabulary the text covers the different problems encountered in mild, moderate, and advanced disease... The Question and Answer section is particularly well-developed and reflects the authors' extensive experience in dealing with patients and families... Physicians can be comfortable recommending this text to patients and families who search for an accurate, dispassionate medical view of their illness. The patient resource listing at the end of the book is an excellent addition." -- Christopher G. GoetzMD, Annals of Neurology
"The book is written for the average nonmedical person in clear, concise language. The definitions and descriptions are easy to understand. The book does not talk down to the reader even though it approaches the subject from the viewpoint that the reader knows nothing about the subject except its name and that it involves tremors. This guide is highly recommended for all public libraries and medical or health libraries that serve as patient educators." -- American Reference Books Annual
"The guide is excellent for its current medical and research information for the newly diagnosed." -- Library Journal
"This extremely helpful book is clearly written and carefully describes the disease, signs and symptoms, methods of diagnosis, surgical and medicinal therapies, value of appropriate diet, exercise, and alternatives therapies." -- Parkinson Update
"This is an excellent volume for patients of Parkinson's disease, their families and also their doctors." -- World Neurology
"This is the best comprehensive guide on Parkinson's disease I have ever read. If I were suggesting a book for my primary care physician to read on Parkinson's disease, this would be the one." -- APDA Young Parkinson's Newsletter
"What is most important, is that both Parkinson's patients and their families have access to the most up-to-date treatment, including new drugs, surgery and other therapies (diet, speech therapy, acupuncture), and with compassionate, clear writing, they provide an excellent overview. Leaving no stone unturned, Weiner, Shulman and Lang also advise patients about less clinical but equally important matters such as dealing with health insurance companies and informing employers. Particularly useful for readers are the Q& A section and a comprehensive resource directory... Patients and their loved ones will find this practical guide the perfect complement to a physician's care." -- Publishers Weekly
