| Parkinson's Disease and Disability Benefits |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
If you suffer from disabling Parkinson's Disease (or a similiar Movement
Disorder) and can no longer work a full time work week, I You may be
eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, even if you will eventually
recover.
Evaluation Form (see Tab, on Left Hand Navigation), calling me at
201-317-0610 or emailing SsiHelp@ptd.net or sojlaw@ptd.net.
Dedication: This page, and my work on behalf of Parkinson's sufferers, is
dedicated to a neighbor of iine growing up, who was kind to me as a child,
and who I believe suffered from PD.
Disorder) and can no longer work a full time work week, I You may be
eligible for Social Security Disability benefits, even if you will eventually
recover.
Evaluation Form (see Tab, on Left Hand Navigation), calling me at
201-317-0610 or emailing SsiHelp@ptd.net or sojlaw@ptd.net.
Dedication: This page, and my work on behalf of Parkinson's sufferers, is
dedicated to a neighbor of iine growing up, who was kind to me as a child,
and who I believe suffered from PD.
| What is Parkinson's Disease? |
Parkinson's Disease is one of many motor system disorders, which are
the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The four primary
symptoms of PD are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and
face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or
slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and
coordination. As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients
may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.
PD usually affects people over the age of 50. Early symptoms of PD
progresses more quickly than in others. As the disease progresses, the
shaking, or tremor, which affects the majority of PD patients may begin to
interfere with daily activities. Other symptoms may include depression
and other emotional changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and
speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep
disruptions. There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have
been proven to help in diagnosing sporadic PD. Therefore the diagnosis
is based on medical history and a neurological examination. The disease
can be difficult to diagnose accurately. Doctors may sometimes request
brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other diseases.
Is there any treatment?
At present, there is no cure for PD, but a variety of medications provide
dramatic relief from the symptoms. Usually, patients are given levodopa
combined with carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa
into dopamine until it reaches the brain. Nerve cells can use levodopa to
make dopamine and replenish the brain's dwindling supply. Although
levodopa helps at least three-quarters of parkinsonian cases, not all
symptoms respond equally to the drug. Bradykinesia and rigidity respond
best, while tremor may be only marginally reduced. Problems with
balance and other symptoms may not be alleviated at all.
Anticholinergics may help control tremor and rigidity. Other drugs, such
as bromocriptine, pramipexole, and ropinirole, mimic the role of
dopamine in the brain, causing the neurons to react as they would to
dopamine. An antiviral drug, amantadine, also appears to reduce
symptoms.
In May 2006, the FDA approved rasagiline to be used along with
levodopa for patients with advanced PD or as a single-drug treatment for
early PD. In some cases, surgery may be appropriate if the disease
doesn't respond to drugs. A therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS)
has now been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In
DBS, electrodes are implanted into the brain and connected to a small
electrical device called a pulse generator that can be externally
programmed. DBS can reduce the need for levodopa and related drugs,
which in turn decreases the involuntary movements called dyskinesias
that are a common side effect of levodopa. It also helps to alleviate
fluctuations of symptoms and to reduce tremors, slowness of
movements, and gait problems. DBS requires careful programming of the
stimulator device in order to work correctly.
What is the prognosis?
PD is both chronic, meaning it persists over a long period of time, and
progressive, meaning its symptoms grow worse over time. Although
some people become severely disabled, others experience only minor
motor disruptions. Tremor is the major symptom for some patients, while
for others tremor is only a minor complaint and other symptoms are more
troublesome. No one can predict which symptoms will affect an individual
patient, and the intensity of the symptoms also varies from person to
person.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
conducts PD research in laboratories at the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major
medical institutions across the country. Current research programs
funded by the NINDS are using animal models to study how the disease
progresses and to develop new drug therapies. Scientists looking for the
cause of PD continue to search for possible environmental factors, such
as toxins, that may trigger the disorder, and study genetic factors to
determine how defective genes play a role. Other scientists are working
to develop new protective drugs that can delay, prevent, or reverse the
disease.
the result of the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells. The four primary
symptoms of PD are tremor, or trembling in hands, arms, legs, jaw, and
face; rigidity, or stiffness of the limbs and trunk; bradykinesia, or
slowness of movement; and postural instability, or impaired balance and
coordination. As these symptoms become more pronounced, patients
may have difficulty walking, talking, or completing other simple tasks.
PD usually affects people over the age of 50. Early symptoms of PD
progresses more quickly than in others. As the disease progresses, the
shaking, or tremor, which affects the majority of PD patients may begin to
interfere with daily activities. Other symptoms may include depression
and other emotional changes; difficulty in swallowing, chewing, and
speaking; urinary problems or constipation; skin problems; and sleep
disruptions. There are currently no blood or laboratory tests that have
been proven to help in diagnosing sporadic PD. Therefore the diagnosis
is based on medical history and a neurological examination. The disease
can be difficult to diagnose accurately. Doctors may sometimes request
brain scans or laboratory tests in order to rule out other diseases.
Is there any treatment?
At present, there is no cure for PD, but a variety of medications provide
dramatic relief from the symptoms. Usually, patients are given levodopa
combined with carbidopa. Carbidopa delays the conversion of levodopa
into dopamine until it reaches the brain. Nerve cells can use levodopa to
make dopamine and replenish the brain's dwindling supply. Although
levodopa helps at least three-quarters of parkinsonian cases, not all
symptoms respond equally to the drug. Bradykinesia and rigidity respond
best, while tremor may be only marginally reduced. Problems with
balance and other symptoms may not be alleviated at all.
Anticholinergics may help control tremor and rigidity. Other drugs, such
as bromocriptine, pramipexole, and ropinirole, mimic the role of
dopamine in the brain, causing the neurons to react as they would to
dopamine. An antiviral drug, amantadine, also appears to reduce
symptoms.
In May 2006, the FDA approved rasagiline to be used along with
levodopa for patients with advanced PD or as a single-drug treatment for
early PD. In some cases, surgery may be appropriate if the disease
doesn't respond to drugs. A therapy called deep brain stimulation (DBS)
has now been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. In
DBS, electrodes are implanted into the brain and connected to a small
electrical device called a pulse generator that can be externally
programmed. DBS can reduce the need for levodopa and related drugs,
which in turn decreases the involuntary movements called dyskinesias
that are a common side effect of levodopa. It also helps to alleviate
fluctuations of symptoms and to reduce tremors, slowness of
movements, and gait problems. DBS requires careful programming of the
stimulator device in order to work correctly.
What is the prognosis?
PD is both chronic, meaning it persists over a long period of time, and
progressive, meaning its symptoms grow worse over time. Although
some people become severely disabled, others experience only minor
motor disruptions. Tremor is the major symptom for some patients, while
for others tremor is only a minor complaint and other symptoms are more
troublesome. No one can predict which symptoms will affect an individual
patient, and the intensity of the symptoms also varies from person to
person.
What research is being done?
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
conducts PD research in laboratories at the National Institutes of Health
(NIH) and also supports additional research through grants to major
medical institutions across the country. Current research programs
funded by the NINDS are using animal models to study how the disease
progresses and to develop new drug therapies. Scientists looking for the
cause of PD continue to search for possible environmental factors, such
as toxins, that may trigger the disorder, and study genetic factors to
determine how defective genes play a role. Other scientists are working
to develop new protective drugs that can delay, prevent, or reverse the
disease.
| MySsiCase.com |
| Brought to you by the Social Security Disability Law Office of Stephanie O. Joy, Esq. Helping clients, one-on-one, in all 50 U.S. States Ph: 201-317-0610 Email: SsiHelp@ptd.net Fax: 570-424-2384 |
