Monday 6 September 2021

Stooped Posture: Signs, Causes, and Treatment


Background: 

Parkinson’s is a disease that affects the nervous system of the human body. It creates a disorder and disturbs the way in which our brain controls the various body parts.

 

Several routines and automatic activities of the body are affected due to Parkinson’s. This includes simple activities like standing straight.


What is it stooped posture?


Normally, our brain controls all our body movements and sends regular reminders to various body parts. However, due to Parkinson’s disease, the brain loses the ability to send automatic reminders.

As a result, the body parts show involuntary movements.


This includes a change in posture also, as the brain is not able to send automatic reminders to stand straight. These changes in posture may have various symptoms like stooped posture, rounded shoulders, decreased low back curve, or forward lean of the head or trunk, which makes a patient look hunched over.




Causes of stooped posture:


For a patient suffering from Parkinson’s, a change of posture may occur, due to any of the following reasons:

  • Stiffness of muscle or rigidity
  • The ‘off’ phase, where your medication is not working properly
  • After being in a particular position for too long, which happens when the patient is involved in some work like reading or watching TV
  • If the patient is concentrating on another activity, such as walking or working at the computer


Effects of stooped posture:


Though stooped posture is not a medical problem in itself, still it is important for a patient suffering from Parkinson’s to try and maintain an upright posture. This is because; a stooped posture can lead to other negative effects and medical problems. Some of these challenges are listed below:

  • When the spine curves are out of alignment, a patient may experience severe pain in the neck or the back.
  • Stooped posture reduces the ability of the patient to take deep breaths. This adversely affects the ability of the patient to speak clearly and loudly. 
  • Due to the stooped posture, a patient with Parkinson’s is not able to make eye contact while talking with anyone. The problem gets compounded due to facial masking and lowered voice. This can have a big negative impact on the self-confidence of the patient and the patient’s ability to communicate with others.
  • The loss of flexibility in the body and difficulty in changing posture can make it very difficult for the patient to do simple routine work. The patient faces problems while raising arms overhead while wearing a shirt or getting up out of a chair.
  • A poor posture can disturb the body balance of the patient, and may lead to falling down.


Treating Stooped Posture:


There is no medication to treat stooped posture. However, a patient may use the following tricks in order to maintain a good posture:

  • Keep checking the posture (both front and side view), by standing in front of the mirror. This exercise should be done several times throughout the day.
  • Be aware of any change in your posture. Try to catch yourself while the body is stooping or leaning. Take corrective actions to control it. Take help from people around you, by asking them to point out to you, in case they notice you stooping.
  • Be aware of the problem of stooping. Hence, keep changing your position regularly. Take frequent breaks while working, and have a change in your movement.
  • While sitting, use supports like back (lumbar) or neck (cervical) rolls or cushions for better postural alignment.
  • Stooped posture reduces the flexibility of the muscles in the front part of the body less flexible and also weakens the muscles in the back of the body. Hence, it is advised to perform simple posture exercises and body stretches several times during the day, whenever you get time.
  • The patient may consider joining a yoga class or even a Tai Chi class. Tai Chi, commonly known as ‘Shadowboxing’ is an internal Chinese martial art, which is used for defense training, health benefits, and meditation.


Conclusion:


Parkinson’s disease creates a disorder in the nervous system of the body. As a result, the brain loses its control over various body movements. One of these is body posture. The patient tends to lean forward, have a stoop, or rounded shoulders, which makes a patient look hunched over. While there are no medicines, there are some lifestyle-related techniques, exercise, and therapies that can help manage stooped posture.


For more information visit - https://parkinsons.co.in/

Saturday 24 July 2021

Dyskinesia: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

Background: Before talking about Dyskinesia, it’s important to get a little background about Parkinson’s disease, as it is related to this disease.

What is Parkinson’s disease?




Parkinson’s disease (PD) often referred to as simply Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder of the nervous system. This neurodegenerative disorder causes gradual breakdown and death of dopamine-producing neurons in a particular area of the brain, which is called substantial Ingra. This fall in dopamine level causes abnormal brain activity, impaired movement, and other symptoms.

There is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, at least as of now. However, there are medications that can control the symptoms, and in some critical cases, doctors recommend surgery. Here you can read about the most common medication for Parkinson’s disease.

What Is Levodopa?

Though Levodopa helps increases the dopamine level and is a good substitute for dopamine, in some cases, the use of levodopa has been found to have some side effects, like Nausea, Vomiting, loss of appetite, and fall in blood pressure. However, the most significant side-effect of levodopa is Dyskinesia.

What Is Dyskinesia?

One of the side-effects of levodopa is writhing movements of the face, limbs, or trunk. These movements are involuntary and erratic. Most of the time these movements are slow, almost dance-like, but in some cases, the movements are rapid, like a sudden jerk or extended muscle spasms. The important thing to note is that Dyskinesia is not a symptom of Parkinson’s, but a side effect of the medication.

Causes of Dyskinesia:

Patients, who are being treated with levodopa often show symptoms of Dyskinesia. However, these effects can be minimized by adjusting the medication and adding dopaminergic drugs like Carbidopa. Younger people affected with PD, who are given levodopa, develop motor fluctuations and dyskinesia earlier than others.

When a patient takes a dose of levodopa, it takes some time, before the drug starts its effect. Once that stage comes, the patient is able to perform all his/her work. This stage of mobility is called the ‘on’ phase.

After a few hours, the drug starts losing its effect and the patient starts having problems with mobility. This is called the ‘off’ phase. The mobility improves 15–45 minutes after taking the next dose of levodopa. This phenomenon is called ‘wearing off’ (also known as ‘early wearing off).

The terms ‘on’ and ‘off’ with regards to Parkinson’s refer to the switch between mobility and immobility in patients being treated with levodopa. The ‘on’ phase refers to the period, where the patient responds to levodopa, while the ‘off’ phase refers to the period where the patient responds poorly to levodopa. In most cases, Dyskinesia is very mild and does not affect routine work too much.

That is why people prefer to ‘accept’ this condition and be in an ‘on’ mode and be able to work, rather than get into ‘off’ mode and not be able to work or move. But in some cases, Dyskinesia can be quite severe and may interfere with the routine work of the patient.

Types of Dyskinesia:


Different people show different responses to the disease. Basis this, there are various types of Dyskinesia:

Peak-Dose Dyskinesia: This is the most common type of Dyskinesia. It occurs usually after 1 to 2 years of taking a dose of levodopa when its proportion in the blood is at its peak. At this stage, the medication is most effective in controlling the symptoms. In the initial stage of Parkinson’s these symptoms are so mild that they may go unnoticed.

Diphasic Dyskinesia: Sometimes Dyskinesia can occur just before the start of the ‘on’ phase or when the effect of medication star weaning and the patient comes closer to the ‘off’ phase. This is called diphasic dyskinesia. This is also called D-I-D syndrome, with the acronym meaning Dyskinesia-Improvement-Dyskinesia. This kind of Dyskinesia tends to improve when the dosage of levodopa is increased.

Treatment for Dyskinesia

The treatment therapy for controlling Dyskinesia involves finding the time period when the medication is effective. The best “therapeutic window” is the stage, where the level of levodopa is optimum — neither too high nor too low. Having a lower concentration of levodopa would result in motor fluctuations, while having a higher concentration of it may result in Dyskinesia.

Though levodopa is known as the main cause of Dyskinesia, there are drugs like dopamine agonists, COMT (catechol-o-methyl transferase) inhibitors, and MAO-B inhibitors that can make the condition critical.

Hence, to control Dyskinesia, one school of thought is to lower the levodopa dosage or by avoiding other dopaminergic medications. However, with the passage of time, as Parkinson’s progresses, reducing the levodopa dose is not a good idea, as it may not control the symptoms properly. As of now, there are two medications available to treat Dyskinesia, and a few more are in the development stage.

These two medications are:


  1. Doctor my recommend adding ‘amantadine’ to the medication regimen of a patient to reduce Dyskinesia without worsening “off” periods.
  2. Recently, an extended-release formulation of amantadine has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Being sold under the brand name ‘Gocovri’, the formulation has been made specifically for treating levodopa-induced Dyskinesia in people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. In addition to these two, there are some other Amantadine formulations, which are used sometimes as off-label for dyskinesia.


Conclusion:

The fall in the dopamine level in the blood is the main cause of Parkinson’s disease. Though not a cure, the symptoms can be controlled by using levodopa, which acts as a substitute for dopamine. However, a higher concentration of levodopa in the blood has its own side effects, the most troublesome being Dyskinesia, where the movements of the patient are affected.

Hence, it is critical to control the dopamine level in the blood. There are some medications, which are being used and some are in the development phase, which should be out soon.

If you want to stay updated with the latest blog on the recovery of Parkinson disease then follow: www.parkinsons.co.in

Wednesday 12 August 2020

Information Of Deep Brain Stimulation Cost

Deep Brain Stimulation Cost

Deep Brain Stimulation is a treatment for a few neurological issues. It fundamentally incorporates Essential Tremor, Parkinson's Disease, and Dystonia. Aside from these conspicuous neural issues, profound mind incitement is additionally a potential treatment for different conditions like group migraines, epilepsy, extreme cerebral pain, ceaseless agony, Tourette disorder, and gloom. 

In contrast to other neurological medicines, deep brain stimulation is effective with a careful achievement pace of 95%. In this procedure, an electronic gadget is set in the cerebrum to animate the electrical signs to the brain cells. It is relentless for the brain cells that are liable for doing fundamental body movements. 


The treatment helps in diminishing the indications of extreme issues like the sluggish movement of different pieces of the body, postponed reaction to the activities, signs and side effects of quakes, solidness, and some more. 

Deep Brain Stimulation Cost In India 

India is accepting leads for Deep Brain Stroke Surgery, from practically all the nations over the globe. It is on the grounds that India has probably the best neurosurgeons with the achievement record of over 98% in conveying the treatment with no reactions post-medical procedure. 


Aside from that, the essential explanations behind clinical travelers to come to India for their treatment is an extensive incentive for time and cash. The cost of treatment in India for Deep Brain Stimulation begins at USD 18,000 for non-rechargeable batteries. In the event that you decide on rechargeable batteries, the beginning cost is USD 25,000. 


Presently, on the off chance that you contrast it and the expenses in the UK, it begins at USD 41,950, and simultaneously, the statement for a hidden Deep Brain Stimulation cost is USD 55,000. 


Would you be able to gauge the distinction? Regardless of whether somebody goes from the US for treatment in India, comprehensive of all the different separated from medical procedure, the general costs are a large portion of the cost of the methodology in the US. 


Additionally, there are a ton of neurosurgeons in India, so the patient doesn't have to sit tight for a considerable length of time or years for the medical procedure. It is conceivable to get the treatment in top medical hospitals of India at the most punctual and resume your normal life. 

What Is Deep Brain Stimulation?

Deep brain stimulation is a surgery to treat neurological conditions. It includes setting a pacemaker under chest skin, beneath the collarbone, which sends electronic impulses to a part of the brain that controls movements. 


DBS is commonly a choice when customary meds or treatment are not successful to treat neurological issues. It causes patients to decrease prescription and come back to normal life. 

Who is the candidate for the Deep Brain Stimulation? 

Deep Brain Stimulation is an essential treatment for patients who have Parkinson's Disease and giving explicit indications like: 


  • Drowsiness in movements 

  • Facing inconvenience in adjusting the body 

  • Unstable postures 

  • Solidness in a few appendages of the body like arms, legs or trunk 

  • Loss of control on the body bringing about falling. 

What is deep brain stimulation procedure? 

It is regularly utilized for conditions like Parkinson's illness, dystonia, quakes, and so on that are impervious to different types of treatment. The system includes two sections: 


  • Placement of electrodes at the focused on brain area(s): The surgeon needs to find the territories of the cerebrum which should be focused on. This is done through an MRI/CT scan or terminal account method. Terminals are set in the objective zone, with the remaining details put under the skin of the head. This methodology is done under broad sedation. 

  • Placement of pacemaker in the chest: Under broad sedation, a pacemaker is put just beneath the collarbone under the skin of the chest. It is associated with the terminals utilizing augmentation wires. 


Signs are created from the pacemakers and sent to the cerebrum, which obstructs the driving forces that cause quakes in various pieces of the body. 


The patient is relied upon to remain in the emergency hospital for 1-2 days after the surgery procedure. Recuperation time is snappy, however there may be bewilderment or irritation close to the fastens at first. 

Tuesday 26 May 2020

Deep Brain Stimulation Treatment Cost in India


Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder caused by the degeneration of a small part of the brain called Substantia nigra. There is no cure of the disease till now but it can be treated for symptomatic improvements using multiple methods like medication, therapy, and other surgical procedures.
But with increasing severity of Parkinson’s, medications reduce their effectiveness. In quite a few number of cases, medicines stop showing effects completely. These conditions can lead to increase dependence on caregivers and a very poor quality of life. However, the alternative solution of Deep Brain Stimulation is a boon in some scenarios.


What Is Deep Brain Stimulation?
Deep brain stimulation is a USFDA approved surgical treatment for people suffering from the indicated patients are selected by a trained movement disorder specialist and the benefits of the therapy are discussed before the surgery.
The DBS works through a small, pace-maker like device placed under the skin of the chest to send electronic signals or impulses to the area of brain that controls movement. These signals block some of the messages that cause Parkinson’s disease symptoms.
To read the full article visit at: https://www.parkinsons.co.in/deep-brain-stimulation-treatment-cost/

Friday 17 April 2020

Benefits Of Deep Brain Stimulation Treatment For Parkinson’s Disease - Parkinsons.co.in

Parkinson’s Disease is a neurodegenerative disorder which lasts life-long. No cure for the disease has been found yet, but it can be treated effectively to slow down the progression of symptoms. Parkinson’s Disease patients start off with best medication therapy based on their own condition. As the disease progresses, oral medications might not be as effective or may start showing side effects. 

At this time, your neurologist might recommend Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Deep Brain Stimulation is a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted in the subthalamus part of the brain which is connected to a pacemaker like device implanted under chest skin. However, Deep Brain Stimulation is not ideal for every Parkinson’s Disease patient. Consult your medical professional to find out if you are ready to take Deep Brain Stimulation treatment.


Benefits Of Deep Brain Stimulation

  • Improved Movements
  • Reduced Fluctuations
  • Lesser Medications
  • Quality of Life
  • Increased Independence
  • Device Features
  • Compliments Other Therapies
  • Reversible Treatment
Read all in detail here: https://parkinsons.co.in/benefits-of-deep-brain-stimulation-treatment-for-parkinsons-disease/

Friday 10 April 2020

After Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery: First 24 Hours After

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is a surgical procedure in which electrodes are implanted into the brain, which are connected through wires to a pacemaker like device placed under the skin of your chest. Just likes in any other surgery, your body will need time to heal after the surgery. Recovery usually takes from 6 to 8 weeks but it may vary from patient to patient. With time, you will get used to living with the DBS system and will be able to more things than you were capable of doing before the surgery.

There are a few things you need to take care of after your surgery to get the best results and prevent complications: 

The First 24 Hours After Deep Brain Stimulation Surgery
  1. You will be monitored closely for any signs of complications
  2. You can get up, move around and even eat a meal under regulated environment
  3. Headache or pain may occur after few hours of surgery and appropriate medication will be provided
  4. In rare cases, if the headache may not disappear and the patient may experience blurred vision, immediate medical attention is required
  5. During the first 24 hours, exhaustion and mild confusion is quite common which generally subsides