Gary Guten

The same symptoms that indicate Parkinson's Disease (PD) can also indicate other conditions, thus parkinsonism is a generic term referring to slowness and mobility problems that look like PD. Parkinsonism is a feature in several conditions that have different (and perhaps known) causes, but those conditions don't progress like PD.

Although the actual causes and risk factors for getting Parkinson's Disease (PD) are still mysterious, the primary signs that signal the presence of PD are very clear. You may have noticed one or more of these signs but then dismissed it as something slight, easily explained, or due to an entirely different condition.

With Parkinson's Disease and the medications that can make you more prone to falling, a check of your home is imperative to your safety. You may want to schedule one as often as you check the batteries in your smoke detectors — which is at least once a year, right? Your local fire or police department may offer a home safety assessment at no cost.

One sure way to get past the poor-pitiful-me piece of dealing with Parkinson's Disease is to focus less on yourself and ramp up your attention to other people. This simple change can also remind other people to stop viewing you as someone with an incurable condition and start seeing you as the vital, loving, and giving person you've always been.

Having Parkinson’s disease (PD) certainly doesn’t make you immune to accidents and ailments that can land you in a hospital — it may make a trip to the ER more likely, in fact. To make sure that a surprise trip to the emergency room (is there any other kind?) or a planned stay in the hospital doesn’t leave you worse off than before you went in, use the following tips: Have copies of the following information ready; give them to the Admissions office, the doctors, and ER or floor staff: Your neurologist’s contact information — phone, pager, e-mail, and fax info Your doctor’s written instructions for stopping and starting your PD meds during ER or hospital treatment A list of all prescription and over-ther-counter medications you currently take A list of the red-flag medications that interact badly with PD meds, including antinausea dopamine agonists, gastrointestinal anticholinergics, antipsychotics, and postoperative pain-management drugs — Demerol in particular Examine meds you are given in the hospital.

If you have Parkinson’s disease, you most likely manage some symptoms with medication. Managing your Parkinson's medications can be a challenge in itself, but the tips in the following list can help you stay on top of things: Carry a complete list of current prescription (Rx) and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.

It makes sense for everyone to carry a list of emergency contacts, but if you have Parkinson’s disease, carrying such a list is essential. Print out a list of contact information — home, work, and cell numbers — for the following people and carry it in a prominent place in your wallet or bag. Posting the list in your home isn’t a bad idea, either.

The following classes of medications may be incompatible with routine medications you take to manage Parkinson’s disease. Provide the following list to all medical professionals before they prescribe any new medicine (prescription or over-the-counter), and review any new medications with your neurologist before you begin taking them: Antinausea dopamine agonists Gastrointestinal anticholinergics Antipsychotics Postoperative pain-management drugs (Demerol in particular) Contact the National Parkinson Foundation (or call toll-free 1-800-327-4545) for a wallet-sized card that lists drugs that may be contraindicated.

If you’re dealing with Parkinson’s disease, don’t ignore the benefits of the Internet. The Web sites in the following list can provide you and your care providers with information, support, and a variety of resources. Add these Parkinson's Web sites to your bookmark list: American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc.