Coping with Parkinson’s Disease

Coping with Parkinson's Disease

Being afflicted with Parkinson’s disease means that an individual’s nervous system is shot. This is a disease that progressively weakens and damages a patient’s speech, motor and cognitive skills. It is classified under movement disorders because the disease targets a patient motor function. It is caused by the existence of abnormally high levels of dopamine in the body and is characterized by the presence of continued aggravated motor movement and speech difficulties. The condition is named after James Parkinson, an Englishman who authored an essay detailing the symptoms of the disease in the 1800s. He described the varied physical ailments that include tremor, stiffness of joints, and failure of reflexes. Some motor dysfunctions include the act of dragging instead of walking, turning the body suddenly instead of the head, awkward leaning postures and muscle contractions. Known personalities who have afflicted with the disease include Pope John Paul II, actor Michael

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The Benefits of Joining Cancer Support Groups

The Benefits of Joining Cancer Support Groups

There is perhaps no incident more devastating than being told that you have cancer. Some survivors recall that hearing a physician say the words, “I’m sorry but you have cancer” is by far the most painful and shocking event that they have lived through. One method that has been proven to be effective in helping cancer patients cope more than the variety of drug interventions that are prescribed by physicians is the existence of a support group. Studies show that a patient’s immediate network of family and friends may not be the most helpful group to have around at this point because they are most likely just as upset about the news as the patient is. So instead of being a source of strength, their presence can prove to be draining to the individual.  One of the more famous and influential proponents of the effectiveness of support groups, Dr. Dr.

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Improved Drug Therapy for Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Improved Drug Therapy for Patients with Ulcerative Colitis

Most autoimmune diseases wreak tremendous havoc on the body because the immune system is compromised and the body cannot put up a defense to protect itself. In the case of Ulcerative Colitis, the body even attacks itself. There is no known cause for the disease but patients are generally weighed down with symptoms that affect the colon. There is pervasive inflammation and pain in the area which only worsen as the disease progresses. The condition is normally diagnosed in adolescents and young adults although there are cases where it is caught early on in children. Some of the common symptoms associated with the disease include abdominal pain, cramping, diarrhea and rectal bleeding which progressively leads to dehydration and loss of weight. The condition is hard to detect at times because the presenting signs can be mistaken for gastrointestinal infection. Because there is no known cure for the disease, patient management

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