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A W A R E N E S S E D U C A T I O N C A R E PARKINSON’S A P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E N O R T H W E S T P A R K I N S O N ’ S F O U N D A T I O N Post N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 6 INSIDE Exercise as medicine | 2 Express yourself | 3 The partnership key | 4 Monique Giroux, M.D., former medical Ed Ewell honored | 5 director at the Booth Gardner Parkinson’s PD creativity featured online | 6 Care Center in Kirkland, WA, speaks on new Thank you, donors | 7 and novel treatments at the Governors’ Conference on Parkinson’s A B O U T U S Nov. 18 in Seattle. Gail Howard photo Parkinson’s Post is published by the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, a Conference brings together 501(c)(3) charitable organization. 650 united in Parkinson’s fight Our mission is to establish optimal quality of life By Joanna Glickler for a cure. She said the 2005 establishment A crowd of 650 Parkinson’s patients, of the Life Sciences Discovery Fund for the Northwest caregivers, friends, clinicians, researchers, through Washington’s share of tobacco Parkinson’s community. advocates and others joined together for settlement revenue positions the state to be the first Governors’ Conference on Parkinson’s, a leader in the quest for treatments and We welcome comments and a partnership of the Northwest Parkinson’s cures for diseases like Parkinson’s. “It’s not inquiries regarding this newsletter Foundation and the Washington chapter just about rhetoric,” she said of the state’s and all our activities. Our contact of the national American Parkinson commitment to support biomedical information can be found on the last Disease Association. research through the fund. “It’s real.” Conference participants came from Evans, whose brother has Parkinson’s, page of this newsletter. We look throughout the Northwest—Washington, talked about the importance of care. He forward to hearing from you! Oregon, Montana and Alaska—as well as said that as founding board members of from California, Arizona, Florida and the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation, he Hawaii to hear speakers on a variety of and Gardner worked together to launch Parkinson’s quality-of-life topics. the Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care The conference kicked off with the Center, the Kirkland-based specialty center gubernatorial triumvirate of Washington devoted to the care of people with Gov. Christine Gregoire and former Parkinson’s. “We came from different sides NORTHWEST Govs. Daniel J. Evans and Booth of the political aisle,” he said. But “good PARKINSON’S Gardner, who all took turns at the mic. ideas are not preceded by an R or a D.” FOUNDATION Gregoire offered a message of hope Continued on Page 5 Exercise is medicine for the Parkinson’s brain By Patrick J. Hogan, D.O. Improved cardiovascular health Exercise guidelines Despite the tremendous capacity of and endurance for Parkinson patients medications to improve function and Improved perception of Waiting to exercise each day until you quality of life in Parkinson’s disease, quality of life “get to it” is the best way of never getting their benefits Studies show that a challenging to it. Consider exercise as important as have limits. exercise program increases the number your medications and schedule time for That’s why, in of brain cells as well as the connections it every day. addition to between brain cells—with resulting Exercise with enough frequency medications, a improvement to the symptoms of and intensity—not to mention variety— comprehensive Parkinson’s and a slowing in the to challenge the brain into responding approach to disease’s progression. by producing the chemical changes treatment In studies for which animals with needed generate new cells and synapses. necessarily induced Parkinson’s were divided into Keep in mind that exercise requir- includes good two groups, one that exercised and one ing a coordinated effort provides the nutrition, stress that didn’t, the exercising animals greatest challenge to the brain. control and exhibited a reversal of the Parkinson’s Depending on your capabilities, especially an exercise program. pathology, whereas Parkinson’s steadily you might consider some or all of the Exercise has long been considered progressed in those that did not following: treadmill walking or running, a means to condition the muscles and exercise. tai chi, dancing, biking (stationary or heart. However, we now know exercise We have long recognized the otherwise), water aerobics, and guided in Parkinson’s also has direct benefit on benefits of exercise for Parkinson’s in physical therapy exercise. the brain. clinical practice; this thinking is now Dance has proved particularly Documented structural and chemi- backed by scientific evidence that helpful in stimulating both the cognitive cal changes occur in the brain with exercise produces chemical and struc- and physical capacities of the brain. exercise, resulting in improvements in tural changes in the brain that enhance It’s helpful to have a local function beyond what is derived from how the brain functions. Parkinson’s exercise group that meets medications alone. Studies also show that exercise weekly to supplement your daily The list of benefits is impressive. improves brain function in those with exercise program. Exercise contributes to: memory impairment either from Therapists at St. Joseph’s Hospital Improved postural stability with a normal aging or from dementias due to in Tacoma maintain a weekly exercise resultant decreased rate of falls Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. program for the local Parkinson’s (and less injury if falls do occur) It has been shown that those in a community that has been very success- Improved bone strength regular exercise program have 40 ful over the past few years. (More Improved standing ability percent less memory impairment over information about this program is and gait motion the long term than those who don’t available by calling 253.426.4400.) Improved fine-motor dexterity exercise regularly. You may find there is a similar or Improved stamina and reduced Current research is investigating comparable exercise program in your daytime fatigue what types and quantities of exercise own community. Improved sleep quality produce the most positive effects in the At its optimal level, treatment of Improved control of mood brain. The research suggests that it may Parkinson’s disease is a team approach and stress not take very much exercise, but that the between care provider and patient. Improved cognitive function exercise needs to be consistent and Near-daily physical exercise is of memory and attention challenging, rather than casual and among the very best ways people with Improved bowel, urinary unvaried, for the best brain results. Parkinson’s can contribute to their own and sexual function This is because when challenged, the care and improve their long-term Improved appetite and prevention brain responds with changes to make it quality of life. of excessive weight loss easier next time the challenge occurs. Dr. Hogan sees Parkinson’s patients at Improved weight control for those This is a slow and steady process but the Puget Sound Movement Disorder Clinic in with excessive weight amazingly effective over time. Tacoma, WA. 2 N O V E M B E R / D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 6 Pucker, purse and pout O N T H E C A L E N D A R your way to better Parkinson’s support group | 12:30 p.m. the communication third Tuesday of each By Lori Newell month | Shoreline-Lake A common characteristic of Parkinson’s is the absence or Forest Park Senior reduction of facial expression. Muscle rigidity can produce a Center, 18560 1st Ave. mask-like, staring appearance and a loss of the ability to use NE, Shoreline, WA expressions when communicating with others. (206.365.7593) | Facilitated by Scott Theisen, This decrease in facial muscle function can also contribute to MSW, MPH, who can be reached at 206.268.6761. problems with eating and voice projection. The following exercises help strengthen the muscles of the Support group for adult children of loved face. Practice them in front of a mirror so you can see if you are ones with Parkinson’s | 7 to 8:30 p.m. the third doing the movements correctly. Monday of each month | Community Center at Perform each exercise once and then go back to the first Mercer View, 8236 SE 24th St., Mercer Island, WA exercise and start again. Go through this sequence four to five (206.236.3545) | Facilitated by Carin Mack, MSW, times or to tolerance. These exercises should be done at least who can be reached at 206.230.0166 or once a day. [email protected]. Please contact Carin 1. Pucker your lips in a kissing motion, and while in this before attending your first meeting. puckered position try to bring the corners of your mouth together as close as possible. Parkinson’s Communication Group | 1 to 2:30 2. Keeping your lips closed and teeth together. Smile as p.m. the first Wednesday of each month | Booth much as possible without opening your lips. Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center, Kirkland, WA | 3. Keeping your lips closed, curl your lips into your mouth Monthly program for Parkinson’s patients to across your teeth. practice speech volume in a relaxed, welcoming 4. Pout your top lip, turning the bottom lip over. environment with other movement disorder 5.