Guidelines for Treating the OTHER Symptoms

When you talk to most people about Parkinson’s disease, the first thing that comes to their minds (I surmise) is the image of an old, shaky man or woman, walking with a shuffle.  But those in the know are aware that Parkinson’s disease is so much more than a disease that affects motor function.

Now, the American Academy of Neurology has issued guidelines for treatment of the NON-motor symptoms that are often just as disabling — if not moreso — than the motor symptoms.

These include sleep disturbances, fatigue, constipation, and sexual problems, which the AAN says are often unrecognized symptoms.

The guidelines say that:

• Erectile dysfunction, which is common, can be treated with the drug sildenafil citrate.
• Constipation can be improved by the drug isosmotic macrogol.
• Excessive daytime sleepiness can often be treated with modafinil, which helps people feel more awake.

Fatigue may be eased by taking the drug methylphenidate.

Nice to see some attention being paid to the OTHER stuff we face every day.

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