The Complete Guide for People With Parkinson's Disease and Their Loved Ones

A trained nurse, Lianna Marie served as her mother's caregiver and advocate for over twenty years through the many stages of Parkinson's disease. She founded AllAboutParkinsons.com, an online community that has connected and helped thousands of people with the disease, their families, and their caregivers. The Complete Guide for People With Parkinson's Disease and Their Loved Ones is written for people recently diagnosed and their family members; Everything You Need to Know About Caregiving for Parkinson's Disease is a go-to resource for all caregivers of those suffering from Parkinson's. Both books share the goal of educating and helping everyday people with no specialized training, providing comprehensive information, practical tips, and guidance about how to deal with the emotional toll of the disease. Marie speaks frequently to fellow caregivers, guardians, and nurse practitioners. Born and raised near Toronto, Marie now lives with her husband in Seattle. When not writing or speaking, she can be found in the swimming pool, training for her next competition.

About the Author
Preface
Words You Need to Know
PART 1 PARKINSON'S EXPLAINED
1. What Is Parkinson's?
2. Stages of Parkinson's
3. Parkinson's Disease vs. Parkinsonism
4. What Causes Parkinson's?
PART 2 PARKINSON'S DIAGNOSIS
5. How Is Parkinson's Diagnosed?
6. Atypical Parkinsonian Disorders
7. Parkinson's Look-Alikes
8. Essential Tremor vs. Parkinson's
9. What is Young-Onset Parkinson's?
PART 3 PARKINSON'S PROGNOSIS
10. Do People Die From Parkinson's?
11. How Fast Does the Disease Progress?
12. Are Some Cases of PD Worse Than Others?
13. Slowing the Progression of PD
14. Maintaining Independence
15. Hope for a Cure
PART 4 SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
16. What Are the Most Common Symptoms of Parkinson's?
17. All About Tremors
18. Pain and Parkinson's
19. Parkinson's and Depression
20. PD's Effect on Behavior
21. Don't Stress
CONTENTS
22. When Anxiety Strikes
23. Hallucinations and Delusions
24. PD's Effect on Mobility
25. PD's Effect on Vision
26. PD's Effect on Speech
27. PD's Effect on Blood Pressure
28. PD's Effect on Sleep
29. PD's Effect on Skin
30. PD's Effect on Sex Life
PART 5 TREATMENT AND MEDICATION
31. The Team Approach to Treatment
32. Parkinson's Medications
33. The Parkinson's Patch
34. Managing Medication Side Effects
35. Getting the Most Out of Medications
36. Timing Medications Right
37. Drug Interactions
38. Surgical and Ultrasound Options for Treating PD
39. The Role of Stem Cells
40. Alternative and Complementary Treatments
41. Treating Parkinson's With Nicotine
42. Tips for Swallowing
43. Help for Drooling and Dry Mouth
44. Managing Pain and Muscle Cramps
45. Help for Constipation
PART 6 NUTRITION AND EXERCISE
46. A Parkinson's Diet
47. Parkinson's and Protein
48. Helpful Nutritional Supplements
49. Foods to Watch Out For
50. Parkinson's and Weight Loss
51. Exercise and Its Impact on Parkinson's
52. Posture Improvement Tips
PART 7 MOBILITY
53. How to Increase Mobility
54. What to Do About Freezing
55. How to Prevent Falls
PART 8 PARKINSON'S AND DEMENTIA
56. Parkinson's Dementia
57. Dementia With Lewy Bodies
58. Alzheimer's vs. Parkinson's Dementia
PART 9 CAREGIVING
59. Caring for Someone With PD 183
60. Getting Outside Help
61. When Help Isn't Wanted
PART 10 PRACTICAL MATTERS
62. Social Concerns
63. Dressing and Clothing
64. Take It Room by Room
65. Tips for Shopping
66. Decisions About Driving
67. Employment Issues
68. Getting Financial Help
Acknowledgments
Appendix
Notes