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Ending Parkinson's Disease: A Prescription for Action
Four top experts provide a plan to help prevent the Parkinson's pandemic, improve care and treatment, and end the silence associated with this devastating disease
Brain diseases are now the world's leading source of disability. The fastest growing of these is Parkinson's: the number of people with Parkinson's doubled to over 6 million over the last 25 years and is projected to double again by 2040. Harmful pesticides known to cause Parkinson's proliferate, many people remain undiagnosed and untreated, research funding stagnates, and the most effective treatment is now a half century old.
In Ending Parkinson's Disease, four leading doctors and advocates offer a bold but actionable pact to prevent, advocate for, care for, and treat one of the great health challenges of our time. This is a critical guide for anyone who has or could be touched by this disease.
Brain diseases are now the world's leading source of disability. The fastest growing of these is Parkinson's: the number of people with Parkinson's doubled to over 6 million over the last 25 years and is projected to double again by 2040. Harmful pesticides known to cause Parkinson's proliferate, many people remain undiagnosed and untreated, research funding stagnates, and the most effective treatment is now a half century old.
In Ending Parkinson's Disease, four leading doctors and advocates offer a bold but actionable pact to prevent, advocate for, care for, and treat one of the great health challenges of our time. This is a critical guide for anyone who has or could be touched by this disease.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published March 17, 2020
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I see the four authors standing in the center of a crowd shouting “We can end this! It’s simple! Ban the pesticides!” They may be exactly right but, as they acknowledge, not a great deal has been accomplished in this arena other than the ban of DDT in the US since Rachael Carson’s cry 60 years ago. I remember reading that Michael J. Fox founded his foundation around 2000 with the goal of ending Parkinson’s within five years because the cure was right around the corner. Twenty years later, his foundation is still working hard trying to accomplish that goal. I am in no way downplaying the role of the foundation or these four authors as they and others play a vital role educating, lobbying, studying, and advocating for the Parkinson’s cure. For me, personally, the Michael J. Fox Foundation has been a source of understanding and hope and, along with the care and efforts of my ‘Movement Disorder Specialist”, provides a positive blueprint for my future. This book is one all families dealing with Parkinson’s should consider owning and lending.
Parkinsonism is a fast-growing group of neurological disorders, including best-known Parkinson’s Disease. In this newly released survey of the epidemiology, a collaboration of several leading medical scientists and policy experts present a broad and accessible introduction to the topics. Before publication, I received a protected PDF ebook from PublicAffairs of the Hachette Book Group, for purposes of reading and publishing a review on my blog and other social media. I am personally interested as a retired biomedical engineer, whose father has a long-term and now advanced case of PD.
Parkinsonism has a complexity of root causes. Genetics, environmental contamination, and patient experience all can have some component. The chapters are nicely organized into topics that dissect the issues – history and genetics, trends in occurrence, environmental pesticides, solvents and contaminated ground water, head trauma and diet, care-taking, new treatments, and public policy issues. Sometimes, within a topic, the writing takes too much of a smorgasbord and anecdotal approach for my taste. But in general, it is a concise flow, with minimal repetitiveness, and useful illustrations. My scientific interest is more on the level of cellular and chemical biology, and I found those topics to be glossed over in favor of statements of medical outcome. However, as a family member, the breadth and depth were just about right. It ends with a prescriptive call of 25 actions that should be taken to prevent the disease, advocate for resources and policy changes, care for those affected, and develop and improve therapies. This is an important topic, and the book rises to it. Recommended!
This book is being released, and I read it, during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have to say that I found the authors’ contention that “pandemic” should be expanded to include non-infectious diseases, because infectious disease is no longer a leading source of death and disability, to be too sensationalistic at this time and actually unnecessary to the understanding of Parkinsonism.
Parkinsonism has a complexity of root causes. Genetics, environmental contamination, and patient experience all can have some component. The chapters are nicely organized into topics that dissect the issues – history and genetics, trends in occurrence, environmental pesticides, solvents and contaminated ground water, head trauma and diet, care-taking, new treatments, and public policy issues. Sometimes, within a topic, the writing takes too much of a smorgasbord and anecdotal approach for my taste. But in general, it is a concise flow, with minimal repetitiveness, and useful illustrations. My scientific interest is more on the level of cellular and chemical biology, and I found those topics to be glossed over in favor of statements of medical outcome. However, as a family member, the breadth and depth were just about right. It ends with a prescriptive call of 25 actions that should be taken to prevent the disease, advocate for resources and policy changes, care for those affected, and develop and improve therapies. This is an important topic, and the book rises to it. Recommended!
This book is being released, and I read it, during the COVID-19 pandemic. I have to say that I found the authors’ contention that “pandemic” should be expanded to include non-infectious diseases, because infectious disease is no longer a leading source of death and disability, to be too sensationalistic at this time and actually unnecessary to the understanding of Parkinsonism.
По названию книги ожидал почитать про исследования в области старения, но основной темой книги оказалась болезнь Паркинсона. В книге рассказывалось, как индустриальная революция поспособствовала развитию этой болезни. Уделялось много внимания тому, какие популярные химикаты оказывают ощутимое влияние на развитие неврологических заболеваний. Например, один из таких химикатов, это трихлорэтилен, который используется как обезжириватель в промышленности и в повседневной жизни, например в химчистках.
Какие действия предлагались для профилактики болезни Паркинсона:
- Если и работать с химикатами вроде трихлорэтилена, то только в защитной экипировке.
- Сделать анализ проб воды и воздуха в своём доме. Даже принимая душ кожа и лёгкие легко могут впитывать химикаты из воды и воздуха.
- Заниматься спортом. Особенно подчеркивали велосипедный спорт или бег. Это на 20% снижает вероятность развития болезни. Для тех, кто уже болен, спорт помогает снизить влияние симптомов. В исследованиях ощутимый эффект был от 4+ часов занятия спортом в неделю.
- Очень неожиданно, но кофе тоже способствует профилактике развития болезни.
- Еще более неожиданно, но говорили про сигареты. У курильщиков реже развивалась болезнь Паркинсона. Хотя курить при этом не советовали, так как тогда возрастает вероятность развития рака лёгких. Но сам факт оказался интересным.
- Диета. Проводили параллели между диетой и болезнью. Богатый рацион и средиземноморская диета являлись хорошим плюсом к профилактике.
Какие действия предлагались для профилактики болезни Паркинсона:
- Если и работать с химикатами вроде трихлорэтилена, то только в защитной экипировке.
- Сделать анализ проб воды и воздуха в своём доме. Даже принимая душ кожа и лёгкие легко могут впитывать химикаты из воды и воздуха.
- Заниматься спортом. Особенно подчеркивали велосипедный спорт или бег. Это на 20% снижает вероятность развития болезни. Для тех, кто уже болен, спорт помогает снизить влияние симптомов. В исследованиях ощутимый эффект был от 4+ часов занятия спортом в неделю.
- Очень неожиданно, но кофе тоже способствует профилактике развития болезни.
- Еще более неожиданно, но говорили про сигареты. У курильщиков реже развивалась болезнь Паркинсона. Хотя курить при этом не советовали, так как тогда возрастает вероятность развития рака лёгких. Но сам факт оказался интересным.
- Диета. Проводили параллели между диетой и болезнью. Богатый рацион и средиземноморская диета являлись хорошим плюсом к профилактике.
This book was interesting to me as my dad has Parkinson's. It gave a bunch of background on the disease, talked about prevention, and discussed the future. I was hoping for more tips on how to prevent it, but I didn't get that. There were a few tips, but nothing specialized or out of the ordinary. There were inspiring stories of lots of people who got it and carried on, even improving their lives, and a lot of information about current research on alternative treatments.
Over the past 15 years since I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease I've read maybe 20 books on PD..some covering the basics of the disease and some memoirs by people with Parkinson's...But this new book,Ending Parkinson's Disease, is unique...First, it is written by 4 of the best scientists/ PD experts in the world ( Ray Dorsey,MD, Mike Okun,MD, Bas Bloem,MD, and Todd Sherer, PhD)...They are the PD "Dream Team".. !! They are on the front lines of treatment and research for PD..So, their insights on where we are and where we need to be headed is based on working with this disease for years..
The book summarizes the history of the disease starting with James Parkinson's first observations and all the way forward to 2019..We see the step by step progress up to today.. (Part One)
Part Two identifies possible causes for the disease and the need to consider environmental and genetic triggers ..Much more research is required... They define PD as a "global pandemic".....PD is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world... Part Three is the "prescription for action": 25 measures to form a PACT..Prevent..Advocate..Care ...Treat.... This is the game plan to move the search for a cure forward. The American people embraced polio and the March of Dimes to stop that disease; then HIV.AIDS advocates were focused and aggressive and AIDS became treatable....If they can do it for polio and AIDS, we can begin our quest to find a cure for PD....Buy this book( All proceeds go to PD research..!) ,then follow the game plan and make the cure for PD a reality...………!!! Together..we can do it !!
The book summarizes the history of the disease starting with James Parkinson's first observations and all the way forward to 2019..We see the step by step progress up to today.. (Part One)
Part Two identifies possible causes for the disease and the need to consider environmental and genetic triggers ..Much more research is required... They define PD as a "global pandemic".....PD is the fastest growing neurological disorder in the world... Part Three is the "prescription for action": 25 measures to form a PACT..Prevent..Advocate..Care ...Treat.... This is the game plan to move the search for a cure forward. The American people embraced polio and the March of Dimes to stop that disease; then HIV.AIDS advocates were focused and aggressive and AIDS became treatable....If they can do it for polio and AIDS, we can begin our quest to find a cure for PD....Buy this book( All proceeds go to PD research..!) ,then follow the game plan and make the cure for PD a reality...………!!! Together..we can do it !!
Overall, I think this book has a lot of good research in it. It's interesting and insightful to hear the opinions from the authors and they do a good job of amplifying voices from the community. At times the book can be very inspiring and encouraging. I would recommend it for those who are trying to understand the history of the disease and possible advocacy efforts.
All people should read this book and help to prevent this disease. Congratulations, great book.
The authors of this book must be applauded for their work in identifying some key contributors to his debilitating disease. While most of the book deals with the environmental causes and seeking a pharmaceutical solution, it left me wondering if there's more out there. They mention one herbal option, at the end of one of the chapters, in a by-the-way sort of fashion. It turns out that this remedy even has some randomized, clinical trials to support it's use. The authors openly admit at the end of the book, disclosing that "we serve as consultants to companies and organizations that are engaged in Parkinson's disease advocacy, care, education, or research. These relationships undoubtedly influence our perspectives." Tens of millions of dollars are spent every year for research, yet the disease continues to become more common and affecting even the young. Sadly, this is the case for most diseases these days. Corporate profit is more important than true public health and wellness.
As the husband of a person with early-onset Parkinson's Disease, I'm pretty well versed on the subject. This book is an outstanding primer on what the disease is, the causes we know or suspect, the treatments available or coming soon, and actions we can all take to speed a cure and stop the tsunami of people getting the disease. This book is extremely approachable, easy to read, and covers a lot of material in a short amount of time. A great book for people new to the Parkinson's community and those of us years or decades in. We need everyone to join us in this fight. This book gives some great targets for activism that anyone can do. I will be recommending this book often.
informative and depressing look at PD. it lists the most common causes: industrialization- which has led to air pollution and increased use of pesticides (especially paraquat & TCE) - and head trauma. Suggested prevention: stay away from pesticides, exercise and diet. Government support of research for cure/treatment has declined even though the disease has become more rampant; little progress is being made in both cure and treatments. As with many things, citizen advocacy is needed.
I was diagnosed of Parkinson's Disease a couple of years ago, I had severe fatigue, difficulty with mobility and sleeping. I was given medications which helped but only for a short while. So i decided to try alternative measures and began on Parkinson's HERBAL TREATMENT from Kycuyu Health Clinic, It made a tremendous difference for me (Go to their website www. kycuyuhealthclinic. com ). I had improved walking balance, muscle strength and improved vision
This book I can only highly recommend, After just finishing reading it, I said" the human so dumb he shovels his own grave. This book was very well researched and easy to read and understand they just released a new documentary which gives a very good inside of the daily life of someone with Parkinson's. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6tbH...
This book is not what I expected. It has very little to do with helping me with *my* PD and is mostly a call to protest against environmental issues that are highly correlated to causing PD, to advocate to Big Pharmaceuticals, NIH, and others to get on the ball to spend more research $, etc.
Parkinson's Disease is a pandemic all its own; one that affects millions of people worldwide. It is the fastest growing neurological disorder, not even taking into account the many undiagnosed and untreated. The number of people affected by it is expected to double by 2040. First noted in 1817, this progressive disease is increasingly researched, but to date has no cure.
Ending Parkinson's Disease was written by four of the leading doctors in the neurologic field. They explain what is known about Parkinson's, giving symptoms, defined as well as possible causes, and, in their term, PACT (things we can do to prevent, advocate for, care for those who have it, and treat the disease).
This is an important read for all, but essential for those who have or know someone with Parkinson's Disease.
Ending Parkinson's Disease was written by four of the leading doctors in the neurologic field. They explain what is known about Parkinson's, giving symptoms, defined as well as possible causes, and, in their term, PACT (things we can do to prevent, advocate for, care for those who have it, and treat the disease).
This is an important read for all, but essential for those who have or know someone with Parkinson's Disease.
You may be interested in this book if you have Parkinson’s or have a loved one or friend with the disease. My husband and brother-in-law both have Parkinson’s. Although the book was published in 2020 it is still relevant. The call for action remains critical. Paraquat, a commonly used pesticide linked to PD, is still used in the US although banned in many other countries. It is currently under a new review by the FDA. Every 7 minutes a new person is diagnosed with PD in the US. You are more likely to get PD than be on a traffic accident.
This book has four authors who combined to shed their thoughts on how Parkinson’s disease (which is the fastest growing neurological disease in the world) can be ended. It is noteworthy that the proceeds from the book go to Parkinson’s research. This book is helpful to those already diagnosed as well as to their families and caretakers. By following the guidelines many can be spared from the disease even if Parkinson’s is not totally eliminated.
Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing neurological disorder. This book is provides a good, easy to understand overview of the disease and treatments. Most important, it promotes activism that could help slow the growth of Parkinson's (stop use of various pesticides!) and provide basic helping medications to those who don't have access to them.
part of what i liked about this book was the hope it gave me for the future of parkinson’s. it’s a bleak disease and i pray that fewer people will have to go through it. it was interesting and not overtly long and dragged out (as some books can be). its message was said simply but with urgency and faith. i enjoyed this book.
Another sad example of how our flawed political process harms ordinary Americans. Parkinson’s Disease has changed my life. Not for the good. Research now confirms the role of “forever chemicals” paraquat, etc. in causing this progressive brain disease. Deadly substances, banned in other countries are ok here because lobbies make sure political contributions live the right pockets.
I stopped most of my Parkinson’s disease medications due to severe side effects and I started on herbal treatments from Natural Herbs Centre (natural herbs centre. com), the treatment has made a very huge difference for me. My symptoms including body weakness and Swallowing difficulties disappeared after few months on the treatment. I am getting active again since starting this treatment.
This book is an excellent review of a common disease that is poorly understood. As treatments (that are often disregarded) are discussed and recovery (that is possible but unusual) is speculated upon, it becomes obvious that this is an illness that should become history rather than a common affliction. This book makes it obvious that work needs to be done.
If you have Parkinson's, you know someone who has Parkinson's, or you don't: regardless, please read this book. Parkinson’s disease is one of the world’s fastest growing neurological disorders, and its economic burden today is in the billions of dollars, both medical and non-medical costs.
If you're new to Parkinson's this book is a great starting point, or maybe even if you are not new to PD but have yet to do broader research into what the disease is and what challenges abound. My only reason for not giving five stars is due to the book being very US centric.
Excellent read. Well written, a bit of repetition on points but that made it sink in. Very interesting and well researched. By polluting our planet/environment, we have caused ourselves poor health. Good messages and good ideas to make change happen.
Very informative
A lot of background and statistics on possible causes of Parkinson's and how the disease is becoming a global epidemic. Encourages you to be vigilant in avoiding/minimizing exposure to chemicals in the environment.
A lot of background and statistics on possible causes of Parkinson's and how the disease is becoming a global epidemic. Encourages you to be vigilant in avoiding/minimizing exposure to chemicals in the environment.
As a Parkie myself I find that this book describes really well the experience of PD as well as gives answers to common questions. It��s the ideal book to give to people in your friends circle and support groups.
This call to action gives us hope. We cannot cure Parkinson’s without knowing the root cause for 85% of people suffering with this disease! It’s time to demand that research monies be increased so the HUGE amount spent on treating the disease can be decreased.
An excellent, accessible read for anyone interested in the most up-to-date research in this area of neurology.
Good review of current state of treatment and the necessity for prevention in the face of a, yes, pandemic.
Are we all moving to The Netherlands to take part in ParkinsonsNet?
Are we all moving to The Netherlands to take part in ParkinsonsNet?
I'm not sure why I didn't hear about this book sooner and wish I could have read it 3+ years ago. The title is appropriate - a prescription for action ...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews