Several intriguing new studies about Parkinson's Disease

WEDNESDAY, April 11 (HealthDay News) --

Some of the newer antidepressants can help treat depression in people with Parkinson's disease without aggravating other disease symptoms such as tremor or rigidity, researchers have found.

Nearly 1 million people in the United States are living with Parkinson's disease, a progressive movement disorder marked by tremor, slowness and/or rigidity. Parkinson's disease and depression tend to travel together, and there has been concern that some of the medications used to treat depression may worsen motor symptoms.

A new study published online April 11 and in the April 17 print issue of Neurology shows that this is not the case, at least when it comes to the antidepressants Paxil (paroxetine) and Effexor (venlafaxine).

Essential Tremor in the News

Essential tremor (ET) is a neurological condition that causes shaking of the head, hands, and voice. Since it affects nearly 10 million people in the U.S., it's not surprising to see ET pop up in news media, blogs, video, and other sources.

Below are some recent stories about people with ET. For more, visit http://www.essentialtremor.org/Essential-Tremor-in-the-News which is updated regularly with new links.


The Shaky Side of Stillness
From Mind Body Green: Your Guide to Wellness
Who hasn’t occasionally felt a bit shaky in practice? Normal, yes? I always do. Literally. I cannot be physically still. I have a hereditary condition called an essential tremor. My hands shake, the right more so than the left, my head shakes slightly, too, and my voice can tremble. A full cup of anything is an accident waiting to happen. Balancing poses take on an entirely new look when I’m in them, if I can get there.
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-4467/The-Shaky-Side-of-Stillness.html

Essential Tremor Sufferer Welcomes Calm Moments
Daily News-Sun, Sun City, AZ
Bob Kortright often struggles with the simplest of tasks, such as carrying a hot cup of coffee around his Sun City home or inserting a key into a car door.

“I’m dangerous with a screwdriver,” the 89-year-old Kortright said with a laugh.

He suffers from essential tremor, a neurological disorder that causes hands, heads and voices to shake.
http://www.yourwestvalley.com/topstory/article_32d87bf2-7dad-11e1-8f96-001a4bcf887a.html


Essential Tremor Awareness
Terry Hopkins of Blackfoot was 20 when she started to notice the tremor in her right hand. At first she didn’t think much of it until it started to affect her handwriting. Lines that used to be straight and crisp became wavy and jagged.

After seeing a neurologist, Terry found out she has a little-known neurological disorder known as Essential Tremor, or “ET.” Last year, former U.S. Representative Dennis Moore of Kansas helped push a measure through Congress establishing March as Essential Tremor Awareness Month.
http://www.binghammemorial.org/blog/2012/03/30/essential-tremor-awareness/

Baby Boomer Statistics

When World War II came to an end and soldiers returned home to the United States, an enormous number of babies were born. This population explosion, coined the Baby Boom by sociologists, lasted from 1946 to 1964.

• In 1957, there were 4,300,000 babies born setting a record for the highest number of births ever recorded.
• In the first year of the Baby Boom, 1946, there were 3,411,000 recorded births.
• The Baby Boom ended in 1964 with 4,027,000 recorded births.
• In 1964, Baby Boomers represented 40 percent of the population. Today, they make up 28 percent of the total population of the United States.
• Of the total population of Baby Boomers, women make up 51 percent.
• A Baby Boomer turns 50 every 8.5 seconds.

The Aging of Baby Boomers

• On January 1, 2006, the first Baby Boomer turned 60.
• Women who are currently 50 have a life expectancy of 82.5.
• Men who are currently 50 have a life expectancy of 78.5.
• In 1965, 36 percent of the population of the United States was under the age of 18.
• Currently, only 18 percent of the population is under the age of 18.

Essential Tremor Webinars

ET Webinars

The IETF has developed a series of webinars on essential tremor narrated by movement disorder specialists who are leaders in the field. Click on the link below to launch the presentation. Viewers can click on any section of the topic to begin at specific points.

 

This webinar series was made possible by an educational grant from St. Jude Medical. DVDs of these presentations are not available at this time.

View the webinars at http://www.essentialtremor.org/ET-Webinars.

 

Free Essential Tremor Publications

The International Essential Tremor Foundation provides a range of free education publications about essential tremor (ET). The publications can be viewed online, downloaded, and printed. 

http://www.essentialtremor.org/free-et-publications

Learn facts about ET, coping tips, medications, considerations for children with ET, and much more.

Or contact the IETF at 888.387.3667 to order a free information packet about ET.

The Difference Between Essential Tremor and Parkinson's Disease

Essential Tremor vs. Parkinson's Disease: How Do They Differ?
 

Members of the IETF Medical Advisory Board created a simple reference guide that lists basic distinctions between ET and PD signs and symptoms. Click the link above for a free PDF that can be downloaded and printed.

More free publications about essential tremor are available here: http://www.essentialtremor.org/Free-ET-Publications

March is National Essential Tremor Awareness Month

In December 2010, Congress passed a House resolution that officially designates March as "National Essential Tremor Awareness Month."

National Essential Tremor Awareness Month provides people with ET and the International Essential Tremor Foundation (IETF) with a key platform to educate the public about the condition, as well as raise much needed research funds. While 10 million people in the United States have essential tremor, the public still has very little awareness of ET. Because the condition can be treated in many cases, it is important for people to seek help early if they exhibit symptoms. With your assistance, we can reach more people this year.

Visit this link to learn more about how to raise awareness of ET.

2012 National ET Awareness Month Media Mentions and Fundraising/Awareness Events

Free ET Publications for download and printing.

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New Study Finds Hearing Loss Triples the Risk of Falling

HealthDay News is reporting the results of a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers connecting hearing loss to a higher risk of incidents of falling.

Johns Hopkins researchers analyzed data from more than 2,000 people ages 40 to 69 who took part in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2004. The participants had their hearing tested and answered questions about whether they had had a fall in the past year.