arthritis

A new, non-invasive procedure seems to be effective at treating the tremors brought on by Parkinson’s disease. From an interview with Dr. Wael Assad at Rhode Island Hospital:

“The procedure uses focused ultrasound energy, guided by magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI. The MRI is used to target the location in the brain that’s responsible for the tremor and then an ultrasound helmet sends more than a thousand beams of energy through the patient’s skull [to thermally ablate the area] without damaging any nearby brain tissue.

The patient is awake throughout the procedure, and we evaluate (by having the patient draw or write something, for example) the tremor’s improvement throughout. The procedure takes about two to three hours. An MRI scan is done afterwards to assess the treatment.”

The entire procedure takes about 2-3 hours, and is painless. Tremors are one of the primary symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, and they alone can force sufferers into managed care. A non-invasive treatment using equipment already in many hospitals could drastically improve the lives of tens of thousands of sufferers in the near term alone.

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These are scary times, made scarier by the fact we generally can’t visit our senior loved ones. But there are some key – and not always obvious – questions you can ask to make sure they’re weathering the storm as best they can.

• “What’s in your fridge?” Proper nutrition is always important, but during these trying times it can be particularly difficult to eat right. Grocery store shelves are frequently empty and many restaurants are closed even for takeout. If you can, schedule grocery delivery from companies like Instacart, Peapod, Shipt or Amazon Fresh for older relatives. Think ahead, as you may have to schedule up to 3 weeks in advance at this point for a delivery window. Make sure not only to order the things they need (proteins, fresh fruits & vegetables, dry goods like pasta, paper products) but the things they like (sweets, pastries, snacks & the like). Having proper food is important physically, but having food you like is important mentally.
• “How are you keeping yourself busy?” People who spent their time engaged with friends & activities are taking the stay-at-home restrictions particularly hard. Make sure your loved ones have activities to keep them entertained: movies, games, music, puzzles, hobbies. Making sure they have the tools to keep their minds & souls healthy is critically important during these times.
• “Is the home in good shape?” The news today can be overwhelming, sometimes to the point that it pushes other concerns to the back of the mind. But even the mundane things need to be done, and that includes keeping up with the home, both in terms of cleanliness and maintenance. For example: if they’re falling behind on laundry, many laundromats are now offering contactless pick up and drop-off of clothes. Some cleaning services have also adapted their practices for the Covid era. Ask when the last time their A/C and heating systems were inspected, and when they last checked their smoke detectors. These sorts of servicing are still happening, but scheduling is often tighter than normal, so appointments may have to be made further in advance than normal.

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When caring for an elder loved one, some conversations are unpleasant but necessary. One of those conversations is often about alcohol consumption. 

To be clear right off the bat: this isn’t about alcoholism or addiction. Those are distinct conditions, which have to be addressed on their own. 

What we’re talking about here is ‘casual’ or ‘social’ drinking. A beer in the afternoon. A couple of glasses of wine at dinner. A cocktail with their friends. The sorts of activities an older person may have engaged in regularly for most of their lives. But the body of a 70-year-old is not the body of a 25-year-old or a 40-year-old. Metabolisms change, organs and systems don’t heal up as quickly as they used to, and ‘minor’ impairments are more likely to lead to significant injuries. But this doesn’t mean your senior loved one needs to become a teetotaler.  

This is one of the core messages you should convey: no one is taking away all of your drinks. Simply telling an elder loved one “you can’t drink anymore” is a fast way to ensure they drink more often and more irresponsibly, going forward. 

Try to schedule alcohol consumption in advance. Much the same way, dieting goes better when you have regular “cheat days” to look forward to, and a moderated alcohol intake regimen also works better when there are clear and frequent breaks. Bloody Marys at Mother’s Day brunch? A bit of the bubbly at their daughter’s birthday party? Those are great, so long as it’s not an everyday occurrence. 

Family members should also try – whenever possible – to make sure alcohol consumption is done in conjunction with meals and nonalcoholic beverages. Mix in some juice or iced tea in between drinks. One of the biggest dangers of alcohol consumption comes from dehydration, and the elderly are more susceptible than most to that complication. Slowing the absorption of alcohol by eating while you drink, and consuming nonalcoholic drinks will help stave off dehydration. 

Some studies show that moderate, regular alcohol consumption can have medical benefits, including improved bone density and better overall cardiovascular health. But those benefits are obliterated once the drinking moves to “excessive” levels. As a caregiver, part of your role is to find ways to allow your elder loved one to have the occasional drink while preventing overconsumption. It’s not an easy task, but a necessary one.

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I know, I know. The first thing we think of when treating a person with Alzheimer’s typically isn’t decor. But crafting a home space that takes into account an Alzheimer patient’s difficulties while simultaneously turning the home into a memory recall tool is truly inspired thinking. More from WTOP.

Her design philosophy also translates to home settings, and she said having familiar objects around from life events or children can be helpful.

“You might have a notebook full of photos that would trigger memories,” she said. “Anything that would help a person remember certain things or to find joy in those things.”

Design tricks can also improve safety for aging individuals or people losing muscle awareness or strength due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Because people, as they age, see color differently, can’t see depth as accurately and don’t have the same visual accuracy as when they’re younger, Thoma-Holec said contrasts need to be established.

“You want to make certain that your walls are contrasting with the floor, and that your seats on your chairs contrast with the floor”

This is part of a holistic approach to disease therapy. You don’t just have discrete therapies, you try to incorporate the therapies and protections into as much of their life and home as possible. This makes for a safer patient, and a happier caregiver.

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A potentially blockbuster report via The Guardian.

“Most cases of Parkinson’s disease are considered idiopathic – they lack a clear cause. Yet researchers increasingly believe that one factor is environmental exposure to trichloroethylene (TCE), a chemical compound used in industrial degreasing, dry-cleaning and household products such as some shoe polishes and carpet cleaners.

To date, the clearest evidence around the risk of TCE to human health is derived from workers who are exposed to the chemical in the work-place. A 2008 peer-reviewed study in the Annals of Neurology, for example, found that TCE is “a risk factor for parkinsonism.” And a 2011 study echoed those results, finding “a six-fold increase in the risk of developing Parkinson’s in individuals exposed in the workplace to trichloroethylene (TCE).” ‘

TCE has been a known carcinogen for decades, but it had not been linked to Parkinson’s until recently. Once hailed as a new anesthetic, it was soon found to have a number of toxic side effects and was largely banned. Further studies later linked it to various forms of cancer. While TCE hasn’t been used in decades, it remains a problem due to groundwater contamination and other environmental exposures.

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Having arthritis or similar chronic conditions doesn’t mean you have to give up on living life. There are some simple tools you can employ to relieve the pain & discomfort associated with these conditions, without prescription drugs or unknown supplements.

At-home physical therapy – Creaky Joints has a great rundown of exercises for the hands you can do at home with no special equipment. These simple activities can help alleviate pain, improve flexibility, and potentially stave off any further degradation.

Learn which tools can help – As they say, the right tool for the right job. There are a plethora of tools available now which can help ease stress on arthritic joints. From jar & bottle cap openers in the kitchen to grab sticks in the yard to seat belt aides for the car. Even small devices can often yield significant results when used correctly and consistently. Almost any tool which lets you avoid bending, stretching, or making a fist can help alleviate arthritis pain.

Listen to your body – Anyone with arthritis knows that certain activities simply hurt more than others. Identify those painful activities and take steps to avoid them. If your hips hurt, get up and stretch every hour or so. Maybe use your elbow or shoulder to open a door rather than your hand and wrist. Try changing the lead leg you use when going up or downstairs. There are a plethora of small changes you can make to help keep your body healthy.

Ask for help – Maybe the hardest step to take, but the most important. Whether this means going to a rheumatologist, or asking your loved ones for help making your home “arthritis-friendly,” or just asking them to help you with regular tasks. Sometimes, a little help can go a long way.

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