The New Parkinson's Disease Treatment Book: Partnering with Your Doctor To Get the Most from Your Medications

by J. Eric Ahlskog, PhD, MD

Overview

The fundamental guide to the most effective treatments for Parkinson's Disease, from a Mayo Clinic doctor with thirty years of clinical and research experience.

In this second edition follow-up to the extremely successful first edition, Dr. Ahlskog draws on thirty years of clinical experience to present the definitive guide to dealing with all aspects of Parkinson's Disease, from treatment options and side effects to the impact of the disease on caregivers and family. Dr. Ahlskog's goal is to educate patients so that they can better team up with their doctors to do battle with the disease, streamlining the decision-making process and enhancing their treatment. To do this, Dr. Ahlskog offers a gold mine of information, distilled from his years of experience treating people with Parkinson's at the Mayo Clinic. In addition to providing a comprehensive account of Parkinson's medications, this book also examines additional aspects of treatment, such as the role of nutrition, exercise, and physical therapy.


Although many commendable texts have been written on the subject of Parkinson's Disease, their discussions of treatment have not been in depth. Dr. Ahlskog sifts through aspects of the disease in order to give the reader a comprehensive sense of Parkinson's and the best available treatment options. With a broader understanding of the disease and the available options, patients are able to make more informed choices, and doctors are able to provide more tailored care. This book delivers hopeful, helpful, and extensive information to all parties concerned: patients, caregivers, and doctors.

The ultimate guide to symptoms and treatment, this thoroughly updated second edition is the first place patients should turn for reliable, easy-to-grasp information on Parkinson's Disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780190231866
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	09/01/2015
Edition description:	2nd Revised ed.
Pages:	544
Sales rank:	198,933
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.50(d)

About the Author

J. Eric Ahlskog, PhD, MD, is Professor of Neurology at the Mayo Medical School, and Chair of the Mayo Section of Movement Disorders, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota. Widely considered to be a leading authority on this disorder, he has more than 30 years of experience treating people with Parkinson's Disease, both in the clinic as a full-time, patient-seeing neurologist, and as a clinical-investigator responsible for PD treatment protocols.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

1. Background

Part I. Basic Facts about the Brain and Parkinson's Disease

2. Primer on the Brain
3. Parkinson's Disease: Changes in the Brain and Beyond

Part II. Parkinson's Disease: Diagnosis and Prognosis

4. How do I Know If I Have Parkinson's Disease?
5. Prognosis

Part III.

6. Conditions Mistaken for Parkinson's Disease
7. Testing

Part IV. The Cause and Progression of Parkinson's Disease

8. Clues to the Cause(s): Genes, Environment
9. Drugs or Strategies to Slow Parkinson's Disease Progression?

Part V. The Movement Problems of Parkinson's Disease: Medication Rationale and Choices

10. Medications for Movement Problems (Gait, Tremor, Slowness): Background and Rationale
11. Starting Medical Treatment of Parkinson's Disease Movement Problems

Part VI. Beginning Treatment of Parkinson's Disease: Medication Guidelines

12. Starting Levodopa Treatment
13. Starting Dopamine Agonist Treatment
14. Refractory Tremor Syndromes: "Medications Don't Help My Tremor!"

Part VII. The Early Years on Medications

15. The First Few Years on Carbidopa/Levodopa Treatment
16. The Early Years of Parkinson's Disease If Started on Other Drugs

Part VIII. Later Medication Inconsistency: Motor Fluctuations and Dyskinesias

17. Later-Developing Movement Problems: Motor Fluctuations and Dyskinesias Treated with Levodopa Adjustments
18. Supplemental Drugs for Motor Fluctuations and Dyskinesias

Part IX. Other Treatment Problems: Not Just a Movement Disorder

19. Subjective Parkinson's Disease Symptoms Due to Dopamine Deficiency
20. Sleep Problems: Insomnia, Daytime Sleepiness, and Nighttime Disruptions
21. Orthostatic Hypotension and Other Causes of Dizziness
22. Depression
23. Thinking, Memory, and Dementia
24. Hallucinations, Paranoia, Delusions, and Problematic Compulsive Behaviors
25. Problems with Swallowing, Saliva, and Speaking
26. Managing Digestive Problems and Constipation
27. Urinary Symptoms
28. Sexual Dysfunction, Estrogen, and Menstrual cycles
29. Other Treatment Problems: Swelling, Skin rashes, and Visual symptoms

Part X. Nutrition, Exercise, Work, and Family

30. Diets, Vitamins, Nutrition, Osteoporosis
31. Exercise, Physical Medicine, and Physical Therapy
32. Family, Friends, the Workplace, and Caregivers

Part XI. Surgery and Procedures for Parkinson's Disease: Present and Future

33. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) and Other Brain Surgery for Parkinson's Disease
34. Experimental Treatments: Fetal and Stem Cell Implantation; Neurotrophic Hormone and Gene Therapy; Vaccines and Immunotherapy

Part XII. Parkinson's Disease Information Services

35. Support and advocacy groups; the Internet

Glossary

Index

Editorial Reviews

"Dr. Ahlskog has again produced a uniquely informative, focused, and readable treatise on Parkinson's disease. Unlike many other guides for Parkinson's patients, this one doesn't attempt to present the entire confusing universe of disparate management options, but rather presents the well-informed opinions of a single seasoned and highly respected practitioner. Virtually every rational question that a patient might pose is addressed here using scientifically correct, but eminently understandable language. Parkinson's disease patients, their care-givers, and their physicians will all benefit from this treasure trove of clinical wisdom." -Robert Rodnitzky, MD, Director of the Division of Movement Disorders, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine

"Dr. Eric Ahlskog from the Mayo Clinic is the leading authority on Parkinson's disease. With over thirty years of experience treating Parkinson's disease patients, Dr. Ahlskog shares his expertise on treating all of the possible symptoms that a patient may encounter in the different stages of PD. His advice is direct and understandable. Patients and caregivers will turn to this book again and again over the years to answer their questions and use the information to better partner with their healthcare providers in achieving the best possible outcome. I will recommend this book to all of my patients as the main source for learning about the disease and the available treatment options." -Kevin J. Klos, MD, Movement Disorder Clinic of Oklahoma

"Hundreds of questions will arise during the course of Parkinson's disease regarding diagnosis, symptoms, and treatment options. Dr. Ahlskog draws on his decades of neurological practice to lay out information that answers just about all of these questions. Information is power, and the well-informed patient is in the best position to navigate this condition. The book can be read cover to cover, or the reader can turn to the topic of interest and find explanations delivered in a conversational style. Many of my patients use the first edition as a guide, and are eagerly awaiting this updated version." -Padraig O'Suilleabhain, MD, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

"Dr. Ahlskog has written a go-to text: straight forward, down-to-earth, and eminently readable. With his PhD focused on pharmacology, and his many years of research and clinical experience as a neurologist and a director of the Mayo Clinic's PD program, there is no one I trust more than Eric. Unlike others in the field, he has never compromised himself to the fashion of the day. I recommend this book wholeheartedly to professionals, patients, and their families." -Bradley C. Hiner, MD, Professor of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin and Neurologic Director, Deep Brain Stimulation Program

"This is a valuable resource for anyone affected by Parkinson's disease. Written by an expert clinician and researcher who has been working with Parkinson's disease for over 30 years, this is a reliable and easy to use guide that enables patients and their families to make informed decisions necessary for dealing with this complex disease." —Doody's

From the Publisher

Reviewer: Cheryl Leiningen, DNP, RN, APN-BC, PMHNP-BC(Monmouth University School of Nursing and Health Studies)
Description: This book provides essential information for everyone involved in the care of patients living with Parkinson's disease and is a valuable resource for patients and their families. Dr. Ahlskog is an expert in Parkinson's disease from the Mayo Clinic and his extensive years of experience working with this population is evident in this creation. It presents practical, in-depth information about the many facets of the disease in language that can be understood by all.
Purpose: The purpose is to educate patients, their loved ones, and any caregivers who are dealing with decisions related to the management of Parkinson's disease. Each section is divided into clear areas that take readers from the basics of the disease, to disease progression and management of symptoms. The goal is to empower those involved so that they can become active members in the decision-making process.
Audience: This valuable resource can be used by anyone looking for an overview of the disease, its diagnosis, treatment options, and symptom management. It provides patients and their loved ones with the knowledge to become an integral part of the team involved in the decisions related to their plan of care. It also can be used by individuals who are newly diagnosed so that they can be inspired to participate in the conversations that are related to their care and encourage them to make informed choices.
Features: The book begins by reviewing the basics of the brain and how this relates to Parkinson's disease. It is divided into 12 sections with up-to-date information, practical information on topics such as disease progression, medication guidelines, and symptom management, which is often overlooked when treating the disease. One section addresses nutrition, exercise, work, and family. One of the final sections discusses treatment options such as surgery, brain stimulation, and experimental treatments. This section can be challenging for the lay person, but Dr. Ahlskog has attempted to explain it as clearly as possible. The book ends with a few resources for Parkinson's disease, a glossary, and an index.
Assessment: This is a valuable resource for anyone affected by Parkinson's disease. Written by an expert clinician and researcher who has been working with Parkinson's disease for over 30 years, this is a reliable and easy to use guide that enables patients and their families to make informed decisions necessary for dealing with this complex disease.

Doody's Review Service