Friday, April 13, 2012

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).

Monday, April 9, 2012

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/