Main description:

Recent innovations, including deep brain stimulation and new medications, have significantly improved the lives of people who have Parkinson's disease. Nevertheless, patients and families continue to face many challenges. They have long relied on this book for reliable advice about medical, emotional, and physical issues. Bringing this trusted guide up to date, three expert neurologists describe: new understandings gained by five years of additional research on Parkinson's disease; new focus on the importance of exercise; new information about imaging techniques such as SPECT Scan and DATScan that are aiding in the diagnosis; new findings about the genetics of the disease; promising uses of new technologies such as tablet devices for people who have trouble communicating; information about impulse control disorders caused by some drugs used to address the symptoms of the disease; and a complete update on treatments such as medications, surgery, and more.

Contents:

Preface
Part I: Introduction
1. What Is Parkinson's Disease?
2. Who Gets Parkinson's Disease?
Part II: Signs and Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
3. Early Symptoms
4. Moderate Parkinson's Disease
5. Advanced Parkinson's Disease
6. Behavioral Changes and Psychiatric Symptoms
7. Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease
Part III: Diagnosing Parkinson's Disease
8. How a Diagnosis Is Made
9. Types of Parkinsonism
10. Diagnosing Other Neurologic Problems
Part IV: Treatment of Parkinson's Disease
11. How the Brain Works and How TreatmentWorks
12. Choosing the Correct Medications
13. Drug Therapies
14. Exercise and Rehabilitation Therapy
15. Diet and Complementary/AlternativeTherapies
16. Surgical Treatments
Part V: Other Issues
17. Illness, Hospitalization, and Parkinson's Disease
18. Parkinson's Disease Research
19. Questions and Answers
Resources
Index