Monthly Archives: February 2010

Diagnostics, Diseases, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Society

Regular Exposure To Agricultural Pesticides Might Increase The Risk Of Parkinson’s Disease

Regular exposure to agricultural pesticides might increase the risk of Parkinson’s disease (PD), according to a study published in Archives of Neurology. More exposure to pesticides means a higher chance of the neurological illness, research reports.

“While the causes of PD are still not clear,” says Kay Mixson Jenkins, author of the new children’s book Who Is Pee Dee?, “hardcore chemicals used for treating crops can’t be that good for people in any event.”

Ms. Jenkins was diagnosed with Parkinson’s when she was just thirty-four. She decided to write her book to help her children understand this devastating disease. The story follows a young boy named Colt as he tries to deal with his mother’s chronic illness.

Based on National Parkinson Foundation estimations, almost 1.5 million Americans currently have PD. It’s the second-largest neurological disorder (after Alzheimer’s) in the United States.

The illness typically develops later in life and often impairs motor skills, speech and other functions.

Many scientists and researchers believe that environmental factors can be linked to the illness:

• Aberdeen University Medical School found that people exposed to high levels of pesticides were forty-one percent more likely to develop the condition compared to people who had never been exposed; those exposed to low levels were thirteen percent more likely.

• Environmental Health News reports that the rates of Parkinson’s disease appear higher among farmers and rural residents.

• A Danish cohort study found an increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in agricultural workers.

• Emory University reported growing evidence suggesting that exposure to pesticides increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease.

• Researchers from UT Southwestern Medical Center found that people with Parkinson’s disease have significantly higher blood levels of a particular pesticide than healthy people.

“I hope studies and facts like these will help bring the government’s attention to the environmental problems our society faces today,” says Ms. Jenkins. “If we can simply protect our environment and be greener, who knows? Maybe the number of Parkinson’s cases will go down.”

In addition to writing Who Is Pee Dee?, Ms. Jenkins is a leader in a nationwide effort to raise awareness about PD. As the founder of Parkinson’s in the Park, an affiliated chapter of the National Parkinson Foundation, Ms. Jenkins has created an outreach program that encourages families and friends to participate in the treatment of PD patients.

Kay Mixson Jenkins is also the Georgia state co-coordinator for the Parkinson’s Action Network, leads the Effingham County Parkinson’s support group and was selected as a Parkinson’s patient advocate for UCB, Inc.

Who Is Pee Dee? Explaining Parkinson’s Disease to a Child by Kay Mixson Jenkins is available on Amazon.com.

Via EPR Network
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Addictions, Clinics, Diagnostics, Drugs, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Services, Medicine, Rehab, Society, Therapies

The Dopamine Factor In Addiction

A recent study out of London suggests that individuals with high levels of dopamine may be more susceptible to drug addiction and may be prone to engaging in high risk behaviors and activities.

Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is responsible for the natural reward system and provides pleasure and motivation within the brain. The recent study finds that the more dopamine within the brain, the less sensitive an individual is to it. This finding could result in better drug addiction treatment, better ADHD treatment as well as treatment for a host of dopamine-related afflictions. The study suggests that regulating the dopamine within an individuals’ system may be more effective than blocking the dopamine receptors altogether.

“This is a very promising finding”, remarks an expert at Mountainside Addiction Treatment Center who have long been advocates of physiological and neural research. “A brain scan could be performed on a person in a higher risk group, such as those who have histories of family pre-dispositions to various addictions. There has been ongoing debate relating to neurobiological theories centered around the mesolimbic pathway, which these findings seems to support. The brightest part of this study is the potential for early intervention—that is crucial in any step of the addiction cycle. The earlier the intervention, the greater the chance for success. Obviously, truly anyone can recover with an effective rehabilitation program and the desire to change, however, statistics show the longer the addiction, the longer the recovery process.”

Mountainside Drug Rehab and Alcohol Treatment Center is a comprehensive and innovative provider of treatment for individuals suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism. In addition to its inpatient services the organization also takes part in advocacy, outcome studies and outreach efforts.

Via EPR Network
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Diagnostics, Diseases, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Society

Researchers Say Exercises Can Reduce Parkinson’s Effects

Scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh and University of Southern California discovered that exercise can slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease (known as “PD”).

The studies suggest that regular physical activity can help to reduce damage to neurons in the brain that causes Parkinson’s disease.

Researchers Say Exercises Can Reduce Parkinson's Effects

“Parkinson’s disease is an illness that affects muscle movement,” says Kay Mixson Jenkins, author of the new children’s book Who Is Pee Dee? “Anything that can help to maintain normal muscle tone and flexibility is extremely important.”

Ms. Jenkins was diagnosed with PD when she was just thirty-four. She decided to write her book to help her children understand the disease. The story follows a young boy named Colt as he tries to deal with his mother’s chronic illness.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects nearly 1.5 million Americans; approximately 50,000 are diagnosed with the disease every year.

According to the Mayo Clinic, “Exercise has important benefits for everyone regardless of age or physical condition… When your condition threatens to immobilize you, exercise keeps you moving… To retain your mobility and function, use it or lose it.”

Exercises cannot stop Parkinson’s disease progression, but based on the study, regular physical activity can help PD patients to:

• minimize further cell damage.
• decrease loss of cognitive skills.
• increase muscle control and build muscle strength.
• improve balance and coordination.
• reduce depression.

“Unfortunately, there is no cure yet for Parkinson’s disease,” says Ms. Jenkins. “I believe that exercise can help to delay the progression of Parkinson’s and improve emotional well-being, which is very important for PD patients.”

Kay Mixson Jenkins is the Georgia state co-coordinator for the Parkinson’s Action Network, leads the Effingham County Parkinson’s support group and was selected as a Parkinson’s patient advocate for UCB, Inc.

Who Is Pee Dee? Explaining Parkinson’s Disease to a Child by Kay Mixson Jenkins is available on Amazon.com.

For more information, contact the author directly via kmj@ParkinsonsInThePark.org.

Via EPR Network
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Addictions, Clinics, Diagnostics, Drugs, Healthcare, Healthcare Information, Healthcare Services, Medicine, Rehab, Society, Therapies

Finding A Drug Treatment Program With Everything You Need For Lasting Recovery

Sunset Malibu, an exclusive drug treatment center on the California coast, has long been a transformational force in the field of rehabilitation and recovery. Now, Sunset is announcing its redoubled efforts in providing clients with long-term support during the drug treatment process.

Finding A Drug Treatment Program With Everything You Need For Lasting Recovery

Addiction recovery doesn’t happen overnight. On the contrary, drug abuse is a resilient disease, and drug treatment can only succeed if it’s driven by sustained effort. The most effective drug treatment program is the one that ensures the long-term health of its clients, with everything from sober living programs to independent 12-Step support networks. In the end, any inferior standard of care is doomed to fail.

Those considerations, in turn, are at the heart of Sunset Malibu’s treatment philosophy.

With its world-class caregivers and elegant accommodations, Sunset Malibu is an unparalleled recovery destination. The center has always catered to upscale clients from every corner of the globe. Now Sunset is renewing its commitment to its core values, with the goal of delivering life-changing care to individuals who seek it. At Sunset Malibu, the client always comes first.

“Our clients come to us because they want to get better forever,” said Sunset Malibu’s Clinical Director. “It’s our role as a drug treatment program to help them do that, by ensuring that they’re fully supported through every phase of the healing process. We believe that our commitment to sober living and aftercare programs is reflected in our robust record of clinical success.”

Unfortunately, that passion for long-term treatment is precisely what sets Sunset apart from its competitors.

Any drug treatment program can talk about the importance of long-term recovery. It takes a special institution, though, to actually live up to its own standards. The fact of the matter is that many of the most “exclusive” drug treatment centers in Los Angeles essentially abandon their clients at the end of their primary rehab programs. As should go without saying, these clinics can’t be trusted to promote meaningful or lasting wellness.

Under the circumstances, argues Sunset Malibu’s Clinical Director, those shortcomings are inexcusable.

Sunset Malibu offers luxury alcohol and drug treatment programs located in Malibu, California. For further details about Sunset’s treatment strategies, accommodations, or other general facts about drug treatment, please call 1-800-332-9202 or visit our Web site at http://www.drugrehabsunsetmalibu.com/.

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