Moving Forward, Together: Advanced Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (2017)
During this talk at the 2017 Moving Forward, Together provincial conference, Dr. Martin McKeown, the director at the Brain Research Center at UBC, shares crucial insights into coping with advanced Parkinson's disease, clarifying the concept of a therapeutic window and underscoring the significance of adhering to a consistent and timely medication regimen.
He discussed the potential benefits and associated risks of treatments like Deep Brain Stimulation and Duodopa therapy. The session specifically emphasizes the efficacy of continuous infusion therapy in improving Parkinson's symptoms, highlighting its documented success in reducing off time and curbing dyskinesia, while cautioning about possible risks linked to the insertion of the infusion tube and the necessity of individual suitability assessment.
Additional discussions revolve around holistic considerations, encompassing the management of mood and cognitive changes, interventions for addressing issues related to swallowing and falls, and the vital role of advocacy in non-specialized healthcare settings. The guidelines define essential strategies for navigating the challenges posed by advanced Parkinson's disease, ranging from recognizing the therapeutic window and prioritizing holistic well-being to exploring alternative medication forms and managing potential side effects, such as excessive daytime sleepiness and gastroesophageal reflux.
The session also delves into diverse treatment options available, including the administration of SSRIs for treating depression, the exploration of rescue therapies for freezing episodes, and the utilization of innovative approaches like under-the-tongue levodopa. Practical recommendations are provided for caregivers advocating for optimal medication administration in hospitals, advocating for patient prioritization and supervised self-administration.
**Disclaimer: These sessions are designed to provide general education and are not intended for individual advice and/or clinical care. The information conveyed in this recording was accurate at the time of presentation.**