Description

Parkinson’s is officially classified as a movement disorder because it involves damage to the areas of the brain, nerves and muscles that influence the speed, quality, fluency and ease of movement. While the effects of Parkinson’s on movement are often the most visible symptoms, like tremor, other impacts of Parkinson’s not related to movement, like emotional and cognitive challenges, can sometimes have an even greater effect on quality of life.The effects of Parkinson’s not related to movement are called non-motor symptoms. Non-motor symptoms may actually outnumber motor symptoms and can appear years before motor symptoms.Video 1 The PD You Don’t See- Cognitive and Non-motor SymptomsSome of the first symptoms people with Parkinson’s may experience are not visible to others. As the disease progresses, cognitive and other non-motor symptoms continue to be a significant aspect of living with Parkinson’s. Joanne Hamilton, PhD, ABPP-CN of Advanced Neurobehavioral Health of Southern California in Poway, CA explains what to expect and how to distinguish symptoms caused by Parkinson’s from those caused by medications. Her presentation for the Davis Phinney Foundation audience offers hope and practical strategies for understanding and managing cognitive and non-motor challenges.Video 2 Cognitive and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson’sBenzi M. Kluger, MD, MS is an Assistant Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of Colorado Denver. In this Living Well Challenge™ webisode, Dr. Kluger discusses how cognitive and non-motor Parkinson’s symptoms affect quality of life and how they can be treated medically or with behavior modification or non-medical therapies. Depression, sleep disturbances, fatigue, social isolation compulsive behavior are all addressed. People with Parkinson’s, their care partners and loved ones can all benefit from Dr. Kluger’s recommendations.Source: https://www.davisphinneyfoundation.org