Managing Parkinson’s: The Disease and Symptoms

November 1, 2019

Caregivers and family members need to understand what those suffering from Parkinson's disease are dealing with. Symptoms, therapies, and managing strategies.

TOMS RIVER, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES, November 1, 2019 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that currently affects at least 500,000 people in the United States and usually requires in-home care Toms River and senior care services in Toms River. It is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the U.S. after Alzheimer's disease. Parkinson's disease typically starts showing symptoms after age 60, and the number of people affected by Parkinson's is increasing as the population ages.

Known to some as just Parkinson or Parkinson disease, it can significantly impact people's quality of life and make daily living a chore that gets more difficult with age.

Some symptoms of Parkinson's include

Stiff Limbs

Tremors

Balance problems

Cognitive impairment

Mood disorders (Non-Motor Symptoms)

Short steps and slowed movement (bradykinesia)

Speech and writing changes

Head bobbing (dyskinesia)

Fidgeting (dyskinesia)

Swaying (dyskinesia)

According to WebMD, tremors and stiff limbs may be familiar symptoms for those with Parkinson's disease. Other movements that can't be controlled like swaying and head bobbing or fidgeting. These symptoms are signs of dyskinesia. Dyskinesia often happens as a side effect to a Parkinson's drug levodopa which is used as a treatment option for Parkinson's disease patients.

There are also support groups across the country.

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is a grassroots advocacy organization that since 1961 has been working from their New York location to provide information about the multitudes of services available to those that have Parkinson's disease. 

The National Institute of Environmental Health Science has a Parkinson's disease program that provides grants and other support. Scientists are investigating how diet, exercise, pesticides, and other environmental factors might increase or decrease a person's risk of developing Parkinson's disease. 

Movement disorder specialists report that the disease can manifest in many ways with motor fluctuations.

Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease

Weakening sense of smell and taste. 

Sleep disorders. This includes insomnia, excessive daytime sleepiness, vivid dreams, to name a few.

Mood disorders. This includes irritability, impulsive behaviors, anxiety, and depression.

Seniors, loved ones and family members struggle to deal with understanding Parkinson's, the side effects of all of the available Parkinson's disease drugs and the various therapies used in daily life for the treatment of Parkinson's which can be exhausting to someone suffering from the disease and for their family members. 

Some Treatments and Therapies

There are ways to control the side effects of dyskinesia, well being, and for managing Parkinson's disease. Get medical advice from your neurologist, physical therapist, occupational therapist, or other trusted healthcare professional.

COMT is an enzyme that metabolizes or degrades neurotransmitters such as dopamine, and COMT is another tool used to ward off the potential side effects of Parkinson's disease drugs.

According to Parkinson.org, MAO-B inhibitors can be used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's. They reportedly prevent the breakdown of the chemical messenger dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger made in the brain. The symptoms of Parkinson's appear when your dopamine levels become too low. Additionally, a class of drugs known as Dopamine Agonists is another treatment option for the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. 

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is another treatment for symptoms of Parkinson's disease, including tremors, stiffness, and trouble walking. It can also treat the side effects of Parkinson's medicines. DBS isn't a cure for Parkinson's and won't stop it from getting worse.

Support Groups

There are also support groups that can be found across the country that help deal with the management of Parkinson's disease. The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is a grassroots organization that since 1961 has been working from their New York location to provide information about the multitudes of services available to those that suffer from Parkinson's disease. 

While there is no known cure for Parkinson's, taking steps to manage the disease can increase a senior's quality of life and help to reduce the impact of symptoms.

Those that have been diagnosed with Parkinson's should discuss management strategies with a healthcare professional. There are a variety of medications, like anticholinergic drugs and physical therapies, that a doctor can recommend. 

Managing Parkinson's disease symptom and everyday strategies

Finding ways to relieve stress: There is ample evidence that stress can make symptoms worse. However, they usually return to normal levels once the cause of stress is removed. Activities that can help reduce stress include meditation, yoga, deep breathing, getting outside, spending time with loved ones, participating in hobbies or exercise, and physical activity approved by a physician. 

Maintaining a good diet: For those with Parkinson's, proper nutrition will not only help manage symptoms but can help slow the progression of the disease in some seniors. In addition to healthy, nutritious food, it's essential to prevent dehydration too. 

Adapting your home: Depending on the Parkinson's symptoms that someone is experiencing, there are a variety of ways to improve everyday life with a few adjustments to living space. For those with trouble walking, or those that need a wheelchair, wide walkways help manage mobility. Mattresses with adjustable features can be helpful for anyone with difficulty getting in and out of bed, and grab bars may be useful for those with balance issues. 

Preventing falls: Having trouble walking is a common Parkinson's disease symptom. Minimizing fall risk is a crucial safety management strategy that is easy to execute. Wearing proper footwear, making sure rooms are adequately lit, and removing trip hazards can all help reduce the risk of falls.

Getting help: Having a professional Caregiver, care team, or family member in place assisting your loved one with their daily tasks can further reduce their stress, improve mental health, and relief the worry by family members.

Comfort Keepers® Can Help

The well trained and versatile Toms River's Comfort Keepers can also help with mobility, improve home safety, provide transportation to appointments, events, errands, and shopping can help seniors aging at home maintain positive mental health. Our caregivers remind seniors when it is time to take medications, can read labels and instructions to your loved one.

For those who need help living and coping in their homes, in-home caregivers like the professional caregivers at Toms River Comfort Keepers can help with stress management, monitor, and control physician-approved diet and exercise plans. Call the Toms River Comfort Keepers at (732) 557-0010 for an assessment of your loved one's needs and how we may help.

This article was originally published by Comfort Keepers in Toms River, NJ at this location: https://tomsriver-385.comfortkeepers.com/home/locations/toms-river-nj

Stephanie Howe

Comfort Keepers Toms River

tel:(732) 557-0010

https://www.einnews.com/pr_news/500857587/managing-parkinson-s-the-disease-and-symptoms

Do I Deserve a Pat on the Back for My 50th Column?

 NOVEMBER 1, 2019 Dr. C

“Wow! Your 50th column. You should feel proud,” Neo exclaims over our shared breakfast ruminations. (Neo is my brain’s neocortex, which I’ve mentioned in previous columns.)

“Not really,” I reply without hesitating. “I feel humbled and awestruck. I have been writing about these topics for decades. To be given the honor of a column is a blessing, and I hope that I touch on issues that other people face.”

Neo pushes back a little, asking, “Don’t you think you deserve a pat on the back for all of your hard work?”

The concept of ego gratification pushes my emotional buttons. “A pat for what? I am merely following a calling and showing up well prepared. There’s no need for an ego massage.”

“That’s not what I mean,” Neo snaps back. “Your sister said the columns are very well written. They’ve helped her to feel better while dealing with her medical issues, and she looks forward to reading them each week. Other readers have said the same thing.”

Calmly, I reply, “I am very grateful for my readership, but their praise doesn’t dictate the writing. It can’t if the writing is to remain authentic to my life experiences.”

“So, you are going to let this 50th column pass by without a pat on the back?” Neo tersely asks. Receiving recognition for his achievements has been important to him since childhood. However, I know that the desire for praise can be a slippery slope. Facing and working through medical challenges and striving to establish a means of communication for fellow sufferers of Parkinson’s disease doesn’t fit well with such ego-driven goals.

Between sips of my morning juice, I counter, “It’s not about me. It has never been, nor should it be. It’s about the message of hope and crafting the best voice for sharing that message with all who wish to read it. Ego will only get in the way.”

Neo gazes out the window, sighs, and says, “So, you are going to do nothing then? Maybe you feel unworthy.”

I reply, “My worthiness is my own business and not subject to a culturally shaming guilt trip. This life owes me nothing; no entitlements or guarantees. I don’t write for expectations of rewards. Accolades come with feel-good attachments; like fame, they are illusory. Illusions cannot provide a sound foundation for authentic, hopeful writing.”

Neo, frustrated by my response, says, “I don’t get it. It’s normal to feel proud. It’s the 50th column you’ve written.”

I comfort him with a pat. “Normal has never been anything but a bell curve point for me,” I say. “No measure of normality can direct excellence or increase well-being. Pride is normal, but it is ego-driven, not guided by the message. Pride is defensive, superficial, quick to judge, and often built on a crumbling foundation of ignorance. It can’t direct my actions or thoughts.”

Neo responds, “I’m saying it’s OK to acknowledge your efforts. That isn’t false pride. It’s OK to show a little self-kindness. You deal with a lot of issues in your life, much of it medical or related to how you deal with symptoms. You have additional challenges with accessing medical care, disease progression, and family and friends who don’t always understand what is going on or can’t show the level of support you need at the moment. They don’t know how difficult it is to wake up every morning and try to keep going despite the setbacks. What they see is the result of all of your efforts. They notice how good you look and not what it takes every day to travel the path.”

He is right in his assertion that I can be too hard on myself sometimes. One thing that I’m proud of is my persistence in continually showing up well prepared, day after day, year after year. And for those days when either Parkinson’s or my vision causes my life to be upended or adjusted at a moment’s notice, I work through it the best I can and hope the next day will be a little better. If I can share any measure of hope through my experiences, or a sense of a shared community, then that is the best reward I can ever receive.

Neo agrees, “Yeah! That deserves a pat on the back.”

***

Note: Parkinson’s News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Parkinson’s News Today or its parent company, BioNews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Parkinson’s disease.

https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2019/11/01/50th-column-milestone-advocacy-personal-achievement/

Brain Circuit That Works to Control Impulsivity Identified in Rats, Study Suggests

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 BY MARISA WEXLER 

A particular signaling protein in the brain, called melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH), was seen to help regulate impulse control in rats, a study reports.

This finding may have implications for disorders where impulse behaviors manifest, from binge eating and drug addiction to Parkinson’s disease.

The study, “Hypothalamus-hippocampus circuitry regulates impulsivity via melanin-concentrating hormone,” was published in Nature Communications.

Impulsive behaviors are those done without thought to the long-term consequences. Such behaviors play obvious roles in diseases like addiction, and they often become dysregulated in conditions like Parkinson’s.

“We discovered the brain connections that keep impulsivity in check,” Scott Kanoski, MS, PhD, a study co-author and a professor at the University of Southern California, said in a press release. “The key to this system is a neuropeptide that we’ve been focusing on, melanin-concentrating hormone, in studies on appetite and eating.”

Researchers trained rats to press a lever in order to get a treat — a high-sugar, high-fat delicacy that Kanoski compared to a “little donut hole.” But there was a catch: the rats wouldn’t get the treat until 20 seconds after they had pressed the lever, and every time they pressed the lever, the countdown restarted.

This works as a test for impulsivity because more impulsive rats would be expected to hit the lever more frequently — even though it meant getting fewer treats in the end.

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is signaled by brain cells in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that produces hormones which control several functions, such as body temperature, sex drive, and hunger.

The researchers found that, when they increased MCH signaling in the rats’ brains (via a variety of techniques, including injecting MCH and using viruses to genetically modify MCH-producing neurons), the rats hit the levers more frequently — again, indicating increased impulsivity.

Researchers then gave the rats a choice between two levers: one with the same 20-second delay per one treat, the other with a longer delay (30 to 45 seconds) that gave five treats. The rats with increased MCH signaling pressed the 20-second delay levers more often, suggesting an increase in delay discounting — that is, they wanted the reward sooner, even if waiting would mean a larger overall reward. Again, this is indicative of high impulsivity levels.

These experiments suggested that other behaviors could also be affected. For instance, the team wondered if increased MCH signaling made the rats more hungry for these particular treats. But when the researchers gave the rats free access to treats, they ate the same amount regardless of whether they had increased MCH signaling or not, discrediting this idea.

It is also conceivable that MCH helped regulate the rats’ internal clocks, making it harder for them to keep track of how long it had been since they last pressed the lever. But again, experiments that examined the rats’ ability to do other time-related tasks showed no differences.

Rats with increased MCH signaling also didn’t exhibit any difference in the frequency with which they hit levers that weren’t linked to a reward, suggesting that the observed difference in behavior wasn’t due to general hyperactivity.

By ruling out these other possible explanations, the researchers concluded that the change in behavior was specifically due to differences in impulse control.

These scientists then went the other way, decreasing MCH signaling using a technique called RNA interference, which ultimately blocks gene expression: the process by which information in a gene is synthesized to create a working product, like a protein.

They expected that this would have the opposite effect. But, interestingly, rats with lesser MCH signaling also hit the levers more frequently in the original task — these rats were more impulsive, too.

Additional tests and brain imaging scans suggested that most MCH signaling starts in a brain region called the ventral hypothalamus and ends up in the nucleus accumbens, both of which are associated with hunger and reward responses. The precise circuitry is still being worked out and will require future studies to fully understand.

“Surprisingly, our results [in the above experiment] showed that animals behaved more impulsively when MCHR1 [MCH receptor 1] levels were knocked down in the vHP [ventral hypothalamus], indicating an increase of impulsivity when vHP MCHR1 tone is perturbed in either direction,” the researchers wrote.

And, they added, “our results show that MCH signaling in the vHP increases impulsive responding and impulsive choice for a palatable food reinforcer but has no effect on food-motivated responding, locomotor activity, or clock speed timing. We conclude that the projection pathway from MCH neurons … to the vHP plays a role in mediating impulsivity.”

Emily Noble, MS, PhD, a professor at the University of Georgia and study co-author, noted that fully understanding how this signaling works may pave the way for future therapies for impulsivity-related diseases.

“We are not quite in a place where we can target therapeutics to specific brain regions yet,” Noble said, “but I think that day will come.”

https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2019/11/01/brain-circuit-that-helps-control-impulsivity-identified-in-rats-study-suggests/

Parkinson’s inhibitor enzyme presents natural therapeutic opportunity

1 November 2019      By Victoria Rees

Researchers have discovered an enzyme that blocks a genetic pathway that causes Parkinson’s, which could be used as a treatment in the future.

A research team has made a discovery which they believe could be a therapeutic strategy to combat Parkinson’s disease. A new enzyme that inhibits a pathway critical for the development of the condition was identified by the 

scientists.

A research team has made a discovery which they believe could be a therapeutic strategy to combat Parkinson’s disease. A new enzyme that inhibits a pathway critical for the development of the condition was identified by the scientists.

The study was conducted at the University of Dundee, Scotland.

The researchers discovered the PPM1H enzyme which blocks the LRRK2 pathway; mutations in this gene are the most common cause of genetic Parkinson’s.

The team plan to develop a drug that inhibits the LRRK2 pathway, however as they cannot predict how well it will be tolerated in the body, they are also investigating natural ways to switch off this pathway.

As the PPMH1 is present in all people, this presents an opportunity for an alternative therapy.  

“This new enzyme we have found acts as the brakes in the pathway that causes Parkinson’s in humans… We have known for many years that the LRRK2 pathway is a major driver behind Parkinson’s but the concept of developing an activator of the PPM1H system to treat the disease is completely new. This finding opens the door for a new chemical approach to the search for Parkinson’s treatments,” said Professor Dario Alessi, one of the lead researchers.

As the PPMH1 is present in all people, this presents an opportunity for an alternative therapy”

While the development of a new drug derived from PPM1H remains some years off, Professor Alessi and his colleagues have already begun working with the University’s Drug Discovery Unit to search for a compound that would switch the enzyme on for the treatment of Parkinson’s.

“If that works it would be certain to stimulate further pre-clinical activity and could potentially lead to a new way to treat Parkinson’s. We have a lot of obstacles to overcome before we get to that point, but this is a major discovery for us,” continued Alessi.

The study was published in eLife. 

https://www.blogger.com/blogger.gblogID=4282591254614897626#editor/target=post;postID=8366658419346477581

U.S. Defense Department Funds Research Into Parkinson’s and Exercise

NOVEMBER 1, 2019 BY MARY CHAPMAN 

The U.S. Defense Department has awarded researchers from Northeast Ohio Medical University (NOMU) and Michigan State University (MSU) about $1 million each to study the effect of exercise at different stages of Parkinson’s disease.

The three-year grant went to longtime collaborators Sheila Fleming, PhD, an assistant professor of pharmaceutical sciences at NOMU and Caryl Sortwell, PhD, a translational neuroscience professor at MSU.

“It’s a major award for both of us,” Fleming said in a news release. “We had been working together for many years because our interest and work are very complementary. Ultimately, it’s about a $2-million grant. She gets half and I get half.”

Fleming, who was awarded $954,566 by the U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity, said she will work on behavioral aspects of the study while Sortwell will handle pathological events.

The project, titled “Exercise Effects on Synuclein Aggregation, Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration,” will analyze the impact of exercise in an optimized preclinical disease model. That will include examining mechanisms associated with the central characterization of Parkinson’s — the buildup of toxic alpha-synuclein aggregates, neuroinflammation, and expression of certain molecules in the brain called trophic factors.

Using a progressive Parkinson’s disease animal model, Sortwell is charting the course and development over time of pathological events in the brain. Fleming is examining how the pathological occurrences relate to changes in motor and non-motor symptoms. Together, the researchers are examining the impact of introducing exercise at different stages of Parkinson’s progression.

Most scientists studying exercise in Parkinson’s have used what are called toxin models, which solely target the dopamine system, Fleming said. The chemical dopamine acts as a neurotransmitter and is essential in sending messages from the brain to direct muscle movement and coordination. As more dopamine-producing neurons die, dopamine levels slowly and progressively decrease until patients are unable to control normal movements.

But those models have issues related to reproducibility and a lack of understanding of the biological properties of alpha-synuclein pathology. Fleming and Sortwell are using a newer model supported by the Michael J. Fox Foundation called PFF — for pre-formed synthetic fibrils — to elucidate mechanisms of alpha-synuclein-induced pathology. In this model, fibrils are injected into animals, and researchers track the appearance of symptoms.

Studies have already shown the likelihood that alpha-synuclein clumping begins in the back of the brain and proceeds to the front, a pathology that may be related to non-motor Parkinson’s symptoms such as depression, anxiety, reduced sense of smell, and cognitive impairment.

Fleming and Sortwell will look at the effect of exercise on both non-motor and motor symptoms (such as problems walking) to determine what symptoms manifest and in what order. This information could lead to earlier diagnoses, and provide a non-pharmacological, low-cost therapeutic strategy for patients, including veterans.

Currently, Fleming said, by the time individuals first seek help for symptoms, they have typically already lost at least half their dopamine neurons.

“Slowing the progression of the disease could have a huge benefit, especially since patients aren’t usually diagnosed until between 50 and 60 years of age,” she said. “So, if you could slow it, that could have a potentially huge impact on the quality of life of patients.”

The scientists presented their project in October at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience.

https://parkinsonsnewstoday.com/2019/11/01/us-defense-department-funds-research-into-parkinsons-and-exercise/

Parkinson’s, Flu Shots & You

October 11, 2019

October signals the beginning of influenza season, a time when many wonder, “Should I get a flu shot?”. The short answer is, yes, but for people living with Parkinson’s, there can be additional concerns or questions. Let’s take a look at what you and your care team can do to prepare for the 2019-2020 flu season.

Who Should Get a Flu Shot?

Adults over 50 are advised to get flu shots as they are more likely to experience complications from the flu such as pneumonia or bronchitis. Neurological conditions further reduce the body’s ability to fight off infection while flu-related illness can be more severe and prolonged in people with Parkinson’s or worsen side effects related to walking and balance, swallowing, rigidity and tremor.

People with Parkinson’s are listed among the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) Specific High-Risk Groups and are encouraged to get vaccinated early.

When Should I Get Vaccinated?

The CDC recommends being immunized by the end of October to prepare for peak flu season. There are many different influenza viruses in the United States with the most increasing in outbreak through early autumn and with peak activity between December and February.

Don’t wait until peak season or when you think you may have early symptoms to get a flu shot. Antigens in vaccinations take two to four weeks to stimulate the body’s immune system to create the antibodies it will use to fight influenza infection. Vaccinations will not cure the flu once you are infected.

What Type of Vaccination Should I Get?

For anyone over the age of 50, and especially for those living with Parkinson’s, only needle injection vaccinations are recommended. You should not get a nasal spray vaccine. While some vaccines are available to be administered by a jet injector, this device is not recommended for people over 65.

The CDC recommends different vaccines for different age groups. Your healthcare provider will know the appropriate option for you. This guide from the CDC explains the types and formulations of vaccine options prepared for the 2019-2020 flu season.

Vaccine Options for People Over 65

For people 65 and over, there are two additional vaccination options; high-dose and adjuvanted. Both options are licensed only for people 65 and over who require a stronger immune response during flu season. The CDC does not recommend one over the other, though the question of which vaccine is right for you is best answered by your healthcare provider.

Fluzone is a high-dose vaccine containing four times as many antigens as a standard dose and, according to the CDC, reduces influenza infections by 24% versus the standard dose for people in this category.

FLUAD is an adjuvanted vaccine using the same formulation as standard but with the addition of MF59 to create a stronger immune response in the body. MF59 is formulated with squalene, a naturally occurring compound in the body, that can compensate for the diminished immunity response brought on with age.

Are Flu Shots Safe for Those Taking Parkinson’s Medication?

We took this question straight to Dr. Aaron Haug, a Movement Disorder Specialist at Blue Sky Neurology in Denver. Here’s what he had to say,

I recommend that anyone with Parkinson’s receive a flu shot annually. The live flu vaccine, which is given nasally, is only approved for people under age 49. If a person gets the nasal live flu vaccine, THEY SHOULD NOT TAKE AMANTADINE WITHIN 14 DAYS. Otherwise, there is no contraindication for any Parkinson’s medication and the flu shot. 

Will a Flu Shot Give Me the Flu?

No, this is not possible. Flu vaccines for injection are made from non-living influenza viruses and cannot initiate a live infection. It is normal, though, to experience mild reactions to flu shots. Soreness, redness or swelling may occur at the area of injection. High-dose and adjuvanted vaccines may cause increased levels of soreness. Some people report a low-grade fever or mild headache that lasts for a short period of time. In may cases, getting sick right after a flu shot is simply the coincidence of getting a common cold.

Should I Get a Pneumococcal Vaccination, Too?

Yes, being high risk for the flu means you are also high risk for pneumonia which is a serious complication of influenza. Unlike the flu shot, the pneumococcal vaccine is long-lasting with just a few shots needed in your lifetime. Ask your doctor to check that you are up-to-date on this important vaccination.

What Do Flu Shots Cost?

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are covered by Medicare Part B with no copay. Health insurance companies are also required to cover the cost of both vaccines with no copay; however, you should check with your insurance company to see if you need to visit a specific facility.

Without insurance coverage, the cost is relatively low, averaging around $30 – $40 for a single, standard dose vaccination.

Where Can I Get Vaccinated?

Traditionally, flu shots were given only at doctors’ offices and medical centers, but today, a growing number of locations offer vaccination services and accept insurance coverage for payment. While your doctor’s office remains a trusted resource for vaccinations, drugstores, supermarkets and wholesale clubs are among the many retail locations you can visit to get vaccinated. Wholesale club stores do not require membership to visit pharmacies for vaccinations. Not a shopper? County and state health departments offer vaccines on a limited basis and likely charge based on a sliding scale.

For a list of locations nearest you, use the Vaccine Finder link:https://vaccinefinder.org

Caregivers, Too!

It is equally important for everyone around you and on your care team to get a flu shot. Anyone can get the flu, not just those who are high risk and there’s no way to predict who will and who will not get the flu. Just because someone has never had the flu before, it doesn’t mean they will continue to avoid it. The CDC recommends that everyone over the age of six months gets a flu vaccination. Not only does this protect them from infection and illness, but it further protects you from exposure to the influenza virus.

TIPS FOR FLU SEASON

• Get vaccinated early
• Wash your hands often and disinfect commonly touched objects and surfaces
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Wait until more than 24 hours have passed since they last had a fever.
• Drink plenty of fluids
• Exercise regularly
• Get good sleep
• Over the counter cold and flu medications can have significant side effects for people with  Parkinson’s, so check with your doctor before use.

https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org/blog/parkinsons-flu-shots-you/?utm_source=Davis+Phinney+Foundation+Newsletter&utm_campaign=92a0df0576-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_03_10_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d7445ab902-92a0df0576-181184593

Homeopathy: FDA issue new statement on risks

November 1, 2019     Today By Ana Sandoiu

As the homeopathic industry grows, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issue a statement to present two major steps they are taking to protect the public from the potentially harmful effects of products labeled as "homeopathic."

The FDA caution against the potential risks of homeopathic products.

According to some estimates, a third of adults and more than 11% of children in the United States are using complementary health approaches.

In 2012, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) analyzed a sample of almost 89,000 adults.

They found that over 40,000 of these were taking "nonvitamin, nonmineral dietary supplements," and that over 5,000 were using homeopathic treatments.

According to some sources, homeopathy is a $1.2 billion industry in the U.S. As more and more people start to purchase these products, the risk of unsafe products reaching consumers is also rising.

To prevent this, in 2017, the FDA issued a draft guidance document wherein they explained how they assess the risks of homeopathic products.

Now, they have revised this document and are asking the public for feedback and input on the new version.

The FDA are also withdrawing a previous compliance policy guide — entitled "Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Drugs May be Marketed" — which they issued in 1988, as the policy no longer reflects their current thinking.

FDA urge public to review draft guidance

In their statement, the FDA explain the need for safeguarding the public from the potential risks of homeopathic products.

Homeopathic drugs, they say, "are made from a wide range of substances, including ingredients derived from plants, healthy or diseased animal or human sources, minerals and chemicals, including known poisons."

"These products have the potential to cause significant and even permanent harm if they are poorly manufactured," they claimAs part of the revision of the 2017 draft guidance, the FDA have now detailed which categories of homeopathic products pose a higher risk to public health, and which particular ingredients and methods of administration are less likely to be safe.

They are also planning to give details on "products for vulnerable populations, and products with significant quality issues."

The FDA call for the public's help in revising this draft before it is final. In their statement, they say, "We encourage the public to review this revised draft guidance and comment before it is finalized."

"

We will consider feedback gathered through this new public comment period, the more than 4,500 comments interested stakeholders submitted on the original 2017 draft guidance, and information gleaned from a 2015 public hearing on the current use of homeopathic [drugs]."

The final version of the document will "provide transparency regarding the categories of homeopathic drug products that [the FDA] intend to prioritize."

Withdrawing compliance policy guide

The FDA have also withdrawn their compliance policy guide (CPG) entitled "Conditions Under Which Homeopathic Drugs May be Marketed."

The main reason for this withdrawal is that since issuing the CPG, the FDA have encountered several situations in which homeopathic drugs posed a significant risk to human health — even though the products, as labeled, appeared to meet the conditions described in the policy. The FDA write on their website:

"

CPG 400.400 is inconsistent with our risk based approach to regulatory and enforcement action generally and therefore does not reflect our current thinking. Therefore, it is appropriate to withdraw [it]."

These two steps are part of a larger effort to protect the public from potentially harmful homeopathic products.

As part of this effort, the FDA have issued over 10 warning letters to homeopathic drug producers, with recent recipients including Kadesh Inc., U.S. Continental Marketing Inc., Fill It Pack It Inc., and Bershtel Enterprises LLC dba WePackItAll.

According to the FDA, these companies have worked together to produce and package eye drops in nonsterile conditions, which could cause serious eye infections.

The FDA also encourage consumers and healthcare professionals alike to report any adverse health effects or problems with homeopathic products to their MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326868.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_country=US&utm_hcp=no&utm_campaign=MNT%20Daily%20News%202019-11-01&utm_term=MNT%20Daily%20News