Host Cyrus Webb welcomes John Lehr of the Parkinson's Foundation and Dr. Kathleen Blake to Conversations LIVE to discuss Parkinson's Disease and what you need to know about it.
www.parkinson.org
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cyrus-webb-s-tracks--1422267/support.
www.parkinson.org
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/cyrus-webb-s-tracks--1422267/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Conversations Live. I'm your
(00:02):
host service web dot You walk could joined us once
again for a radio audience tuning in Max WYAD ninety
four point one FM and WYAD online dot Com. Are
glad that you all can be with us. Also to
join us online world wide ber a podcast that I
heard radio on Amazon Music for GAD you all could
be with us as well. This is part of a
music and youse segment here Wyad and today we're talking
(00:22):
about Parkinson's Awareness Month. APELS recognized for a lot of things,
including Parkinson's Awareness Month. It's a great opportunity for us
to be able to focus attention on the disease that
afflicts nearly one million people in the United States alone.
Joining us today, We're excited to welcome doctor Kathleen Blake
to our broadcast who is living with the disease, as
well as John Layer is back with us, the president
(00:43):
and CEO of the Parkinson's Foundation. Thanks again for this
two of you for stopping by. I appreciate the time.
Thank you, But John, I'm going to start with you.
It's always great to have you on to help us
to raise awareness about a Parkinson's disease, as well as
the Parkinson's Foundation. I want to begin with that question though,
because a lot of times we hear these times we're
not really sure what it means. John, What exactly is
(01:05):
Parkinson's disease?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, So, Parkinson's is characterized as a neurodegenerative disease that
solely progresses over time. It affects more than one million
Americans in the United States, and unfortunately, there is no
cure it is. The early symptoms of the disease are
typically a resting tremor in your hand or your leg,
(01:28):
off of a scent of smell, some trouble sleeping crafts,
and really trouble moving.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Or walking or transitioning.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
You know. Parkinson's is often characterized as a movement disorder because.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
It really does affect movement.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
However, there are non motor, non movement symptoms, including sleep disturbances,
cognitive impairments, and a lot of people with Parkinson's will
suffer from apathy and depression.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Normal degenerative means that it gets a little worse over time,
and we all say no, two people have the same
course of disease, so some people may have very very
few symptoms, and other people may have rapid onsets.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
John, one of the questions I had, they came in
the last time that you were on with US. I
one to make sure to ask you, is Parkinson's something
that is hereditary.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Well, that's a really great question.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
So we are doing one of the largest genetic studies
right now, and we're looking at the most common genetic
mutations in Parkinson's disease. They are about seven genetic mutations,
and we found that upwards of about somewhere between twelve
and fifteen percent of people will have one of those
genetic mutations. It may be that many more people have
(02:41):
a genetic form of Parkinson's, we just haven't discerned that yet.
So there is a genetic component, there's definitely an environmental component,
and Parkinson's may actually be just a form of the
natural aging process. We are, interestingly orned with a finite
number of neurons in our brain and people will lose
(03:03):
those over time, and some people may lose those faster
than others.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Thank you so much for that. So, John, what is
the important thing to know about Parkinson's disease for audience?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
So I would say that it's ninety thousand individuals are
newly diagnosed with Parkinson's each year in.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
The United States. That's double previous estments.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
The World Health Organization recognizes that Parkinson's is the fastest
growing neurological disorder.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
It is a.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Primarily disease of later in life, so age is really
the number one risk factor.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
So if you.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Start to see symptoms in yourself or in others like arresting,
tremor or some trans difficult walking or moving about, we
really strongly recommend that you go through your clinician, preferably
neurologists or a movement to sort of specialists who can
help diagnose, you know, the disease.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
It may not be Parkinson's.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
There are people who have just a tremor that's not
does not turn out to be Parkinson's. But if it
is Parkinson's, then you get on a medical regiment and
then more importantly than anything else, you'd start to exercise.
That's something that we really encourage people to do.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Thank you for that, Tom Dunton, Doctor Blake, thank you
so much again for being with us today and sharing
a part of your experience. What do you tell us
when it comes about and managing the symptoms of Parkinson's.
Speaker 5 (04:22):
So I think that it's critical that people exercise, and
the exercise that they do should be the exercises they love,
that they enjoy, they look forward to. So there's no
single exercise that has to be shall we say, prescribed.
Why exercise A You feel better, B, It's motivating, and C.
(04:45):
It also is the one proven thing that can slow
down the progression of the disease. Especially important since we
currently do not have a cure for Parkinson's.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Well, that's important to know, John, both yourself and doctor
Blake Mintion, and of course exercise. What kind of resources
are available for those living with Parkinson's or even for
those who are caring for someone with Parkinson's.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, there are a lot of resources out there. At
the Parkinson Foundation, we like to say that we are
the trusted and go to source, so that if you
go to our website, which is parkinson dot org, or
you call our healthline one eight hundred and four pd Info,
you can be assured that you're getting the latest and
most accurate information on Parkinson's disease. But we you know,
(05:33):
as I mentioned, we have a lot of resources. We
offer a lot of educational programming, We have a huge
library of resources, both print and digital that people can
access that. We also are very intent on directing people
to local support groups, exercise programs, and online community so
that people can have a chance to share with.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Other people living with a disease. That's people living with
the disease and their care.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Partners, spouses, family friends, children.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
You know, Kathy will probably.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Say this for certain, but don't live Parkinson's in isolation, right,
have a big support group and talk to as many
people as you can.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
I love that. And doctor Blake, last question I have
for you, what advice do you have for people with
Parkinson's and also their care partners that you can share
with us.
Speaker 5 (06:26):
So I think it's really important that people do know
that they are not alone. There are people around them
who may have Parkinson's who don't know it yet or
haven't shared that information. Get the information that you want
when you want it. So write information at the right
time from the parkinson dot org website and use it
(06:48):
as you need it. You do not need all the
information all at once. That would be overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yeah again, everyone, John Lair and doctor Kathleen Late it's
been our guests for this segment talking with us about
the importance of Parkston's awareness during Parkson's Awareness Month. Thanks
again for the two of you for stopping by. Really
appreciate it. Looking forward to speaking with you again.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Thank you so much more than.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Welcome, and we think your audience are tuning into another
great segment of Conversations Live again, part of an easy
to use segment here at WYD Until next time, I
mean you have service website is always enjoy your day,
enjoy your life and enjoy your world. Thank you all
for cheasing Conversations Live. Then it's gonna make today amazing.
Take care
Hello everyone, and welcome back to Conversations Live. I'm your
(00:02):
host service web dot You walk could joined us once
again for a radio audience tuning in Max WYAD ninety
four point one FM and WYAD online dot Com. Are
glad that you all can be with us. Also to
join us online world wide ber a podcast that I
heard radio on Amazon Music for GAD you all could
be with us as well. This is part of a
music and youse segment here Wyad and today we're talking
(00:22):
about Parkinson's Awareness Month. APELS recognized for a lot of things,
including Parkinson's Awareness Month. It's a great opportunity for us
to be able to focus attention on the disease that
afflicts nearly one million people in the United States alone.
Joining us today, We're excited to welcome doctor Kathleen Blake
to our broadcast who is living with the disease, as
well as John Layer is back with us, the president
(00:43):
and CEO of the Parkinson's Foundation. Thanks again for this
two of you for stopping by. I appreciate the time.
Thank you, But John, I'm going to start with you.
It's always great to have you on to help us
to raise awareness about a Parkinson's disease, as well as
the Parkinson's Foundation. I want to begin with that question though,
because a lot of times we hear these times we're
not really sure what it means. John, What exactly is
(01:05):
Parkinson's disease?
Speaker 2 (01:06):
Yeah, So, Parkinson's is characterized as a neurodegenerative disease that
solely progresses over time. It affects more than one million
Americans in the United States, and unfortunately, there is no
cure it is. The early symptoms of the disease are
typically a resting tremor in your hand or your leg,
(01:28):
off of a scent of smell, some trouble sleeping crafts,
and really trouble moving.
Speaker 3 (01:33):
Or walking or transitioning.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
You know. Parkinson's is often characterized as a movement disorder because.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
It really does affect movement.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
However, there are non motor, non movement symptoms, including sleep disturbances,
cognitive impairments, and a lot of people with Parkinson's will
suffer from apathy and depression.
Speaker 2 (01:54):
Normal degenerative means that it gets a little worse over time,
and we all say no, two people have the same
course of disease, so some people may have very very
few symptoms, and other people may have rapid onsets.
Speaker 1 (02:08):
John, one of the questions I had, they came in
the last time that you were on with US. I
one to make sure to ask you, is Parkinson's something
that is hereditary.
Speaker 3 (02:16):
Well, that's a really great question.
Speaker 2 (02:18):
So we are doing one of the largest genetic studies
right now, and we're looking at the most common genetic
mutations in Parkinson's disease. They are about seven genetic mutations,
and we found that upwards of about somewhere between twelve
and fifteen percent of people will have one of those
genetic mutations. It may be that many more people have
(02:41):
a genetic form of Parkinson's, we just haven't discerned that yet.
So there is a genetic component, there's definitely an environmental component,
and Parkinson's may actually be just a form of the
natural aging process. We are, interestingly orned with a finite
number of neurons in our brain and people will lose
(03:03):
those over time, and some people may lose those faster
than others.
Speaker 1 (03:07):
Thank you so much for that. So, John, what is
the important thing to know about Parkinson's disease for audience?
Speaker 2 (03:12):
So I would say that it's ninety thousand individuals are
newly diagnosed with Parkinson's each year in.
Speaker 3 (03:19):
The United States. That's double previous estments.
Speaker 2 (03:22):
The World Health Organization recognizes that Parkinson's is the fastest
growing neurological disorder.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
It is a.
Speaker 2 (03:29):
Primarily disease of later in life, so age is really
the number one risk factor.
Speaker 3 (03:35):
So if you.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Start to see symptoms in yourself or in others like arresting,
tremor or some trans difficult walking or moving about, we
really strongly recommend that you go through your clinician, preferably
neurologists or a movement to sort of specialists who can
help diagnose, you know, the disease.
Speaker 3 (03:55):
It may not be Parkinson's.
Speaker 2 (03:57):
There are people who have just a tremor that's not
does not turn out to be Parkinson's. But if it
is Parkinson's, then you get on a medical regiment and
then more importantly than anything else, you'd start to exercise.
That's something that we really encourage people to do.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Thank you for that, Tom Dunton, Doctor Blake, thank you
so much again for being with us today and sharing
a part of your experience. What do you tell us
when it comes about and managing the symptoms of Parkinson's.
Speaker 5 (04:22):
So I think that it's critical that people exercise, and
the exercise that they do should be the exercises they love,
that they enjoy, they look forward to. So there's no
single exercise that has to be shall we say, prescribed.
Why exercise A You feel better, B, It's motivating, and C.
(04:45):
It also is the one proven thing that can slow
down the progression of the disease. Especially important since we
currently do not have a cure for Parkinson's.
Speaker 1 (04:57):
Well, that's important to know, John, both yourself and doctor
Blake Mintion, and of course exercise. What kind of resources
are available for those living with Parkinson's or even for
those who are caring for someone with Parkinson's.
Speaker 2 (05:09):
Yeah, there are a lot of resources out there. At
the Parkinson Foundation, we like to say that we are
the trusted and go to source, so that if you
go to our website, which is parkinson dot org, or
you call our healthline one eight hundred and four pd Info,
you can be assured that you're getting the latest and
most accurate information on Parkinson's disease. But we you know,
(05:33):
as I mentioned, we have a lot of resources. We
offer a lot of educational programming, We have a huge
library of resources, both print and digital that people can
access that. We also are very intent on directing people
to local support groups, exercise programs, and online community so
that people can have a chance to share with.
Speaker 3 (05:57):
Other people living with a disease. That's people living with
the disease and their care.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Partners, spouses, family friends, children.
Speaker 3 (06:05):
You know, Kathy will probably.
Speaker 2 (06:06):
Say this for certain, but don't live Parkinson's in isolation, right,
have a big support group and talk to as many
people as you can.
Speaker 1 (06:16):
I love that. And doctor Blake, last question I have
for you, what advice do you have for people with
Parkinson's and also their care partners that you can share
with us.
Speaker 5 (06:26):
So I think it's really important that people do know
that they are not alone. There are people around them
who may have Parkinson's who don't know it yet or
haven't shared that information. Get the information that you want
when you want it. So write information at the right
time from the parkinson dot org website and use it
(06:48):
as you need it. You do not need all the
information all at once. That would be overwhelming.
Speaker 1 (06:55):
Yeah again, everyone, John Lair and doctor Kathleen Late it's
been our guests for this segment talking with us about
the importance of Parkston's awareness during Parkson's Awareness Month. Thanks
again for the two of you for stopping by. Really
appreciate it. Looking forward to speaking with you again.
Speaker 3 (07:10):
Thank you so much more than.
Speaker 1 (07:12):
Welcome, and we think your audience are tuning into another
great segment of Conversations Live again, part of an easy
to use segment here at WYD Until next time, I
mean you have service website is always enjoy your day,
enjoy your life and enjoy your world. Thank you all
for cheasing Conversations Live. Then it's gonna make today amazing.
Take care
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