Information about Parkinson's
Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disease of the nervous system and is characterized by slowness and decrease in movement, muscle stiffness, tremors at rest and instability. Parkinson's is a chronic, progressive, multisystemic and incurable disease. The patient suffers from movement disorders that are evident externally when standing, walking, eating and writing. In the advanced stages of the disease, additional body systems such as digestion, urination and speech may be affected, and in some patients, symptoms of involuntary movements, depression and even dementia may be added, which worsen the patient's condition.
Fortunately, there are a wide variety of solutions at the hands of neurologists to improve the health and quality of life of those dealing with Parkinson's, and most of the treatments are recognized in the health basket.
The average age for diagnosis of the disease is 65, and most contestants are diagnosed at the age of 70 or older, but many are diagnosed with Parkinson's already at younger ages - 30 to 55. Currently, the number of Parkinson's patients in Israel stands at about 35,000 contestants.
Parkinson's disease and its symptoms
Parkinson's disease is an incurable chronic progressive disease that damages the brain cells that produce dopamine, which is used to transmit signals from the brain to the central nervous system. The disease has many faces and its symptoms differ from patient to patient. The symptoms of the disease are divided into motor - limitations in movement - and non-motor symptoms such as speech, sleep, digestive system and urine, frozen facial expressions, and in some cases cognitive decline, depression, anxiety and hallucinations.
In the early stages, the disease manifests itself in tremors, muscle stiffness, involuntary movements. Intense sports activity in combination with drug therapy greatly relieves and helps the body to produce dopamine and relieve the motor symptoms. The main impact of the disease is on the patient's ability to function, which over time becomes limited in movement. Some of the contestants in the advanced stages will need close and regular help in performing daily activities.
Read more about Parkinson's disease, causes, symptoms and signs
Parkinson's diagnosis
The initial diagnosis is made by a family doctor, who will usually refer to a neurologist in the community or a neurologist specializing in movement disorders. The diagnosis is carried out by a clinical examination whose purpose is to examine whether there are at least two or three motor and non-motor symptoms typical of Parkinson's disease (tremor that is more prominent at rest, slowing down and limited movements, muscle stiffness, imbalance and difficulty speaking), as well as based on the patient's medical history. The appearance of symptoms on only one side of the body can also help with the diagnosis.
In addition, there is an F-dopa brain mapping scan that reflects the state of the dopamine cells in the brain. In the test, a radioactive substance of the F18-DOPA type is injected into the subject. About an hour later in isolation, he undergoes brain scans. This substance is transformed in the brain into the neurotransmitter dopamine (marked with F18) and is absorbed by the ends of dopaminergic nerve cells in the striatum (part of the basal ganglia in the brain). In Parkinson's there is a decrease in the number of these nerves and therefore the absorption of the substance will be less. A neurologist will determine that a person has Parkinson's based on confirmation of 4 symptoms and a simple physical examination that examines tremors, stiffness and balance. A CT scan will help distinguish between Parkinson's and other brain injuries such as a stroke, or a brain tumor.
Read more about the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease
Important information for those diagnosed
You have just been informed that you have Parkinson's disease. You must be shocked and still can't digest it. It is important to know that the diagnosis is not the end of the world, you will not die from Parkinson's. This is a new beginning of a challenging life that requires the contestants to invest in continuous physical activity, in a routine and calm life, in a correct and controlled diet, precisely in taking the medicines, in sensitivity to understanding the symptoms and above all it is recommended not to invest resources in hiding the disease. There is nothing to be ashamed of - this is just another disease that is important to accept and live alongside, to continue to be part of a community in social gatherings and to be open to the questions of the immediate environment about the disease.
On the website of the Parkinson Association we will try to make your search for answers easier. The information on the site is designed to give you knowledge, understanding and power. This way you can take an active part in dealing with the disease, and get tools to improve your quality of life alongside Parkinson's in the best possible way. The association also offers a support and accompaniment program for new Parkinson's contenders who join as members of the association, new contenders - up to two years from the discovery of the disease.
Parkinson's treatment
Although Parkinson's disease is currently incurable, fortunately, there are a wide variety of solutions available to doctors and especially to Parkinson's sufferers themselves to improve their health and quality of life, and the vast majority of them are recognized in the health basket. On the website of the Parkinson's Association you can find a lot of information about drug treatment options, including information on specific drugs, DBS surgery as well as rehabilitation and ability preservation activities, including steps and tools that will also help in dealing mentally with the challenges of the disease.
Recently, a relatively new technology was added in Israel - the Holter for monitoring Parkinson's disease STATON - monitoring the participant's symptoms continuously for a week (all this at the participant's home by attaching a waist belt). At the end of the detection phase, a report is produced, which allows the attending physician to get an accurate picture of the degree of severity and frequency of motor symptoms, and thus the symptoms can be more accurately diagnosed and adjustments can be made if necessary for optimal treatment.
Enter for more information about the treatment options for Parkinson's disease
Parkinson clinics and service providers in Israel
The Parkinson's Association in Israel worked to expand the distribution of clinics for movement disorders throughout the country, and compiled for the benefit of the contestants an orderly list of clinics throughout the country, contact details and links to the clinic websites, as well as a list of service and support providers for the contestants throughout the country.
Click to go to the list of Parkinson's clinics
Click for the benefits club - where you will find a wide variety of activities and support workshops.
Click for a list of additional service providers
Webinars and articles
One of the goals of the Parkinson's Association in Israel is to make information available to contestants as well as to the general public regarding Parkinson's disease, existing treatments, research and more. On the site, you can read content articles, watch webinars by experts in the field, as well as learn about studies that are being conducted and are even recruiting volunteers among Parkinson's contenders.
Log in to watch webinars and read articles
Studies on Parkinson's
The Parkinson's Association publishes clinical studies that are looking for volunteers among those with Parkinson's. The page is updated from time to time with the opening of a call for additional studies.
