Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

Substantial Matters: Life & Science of Parkinson’s


Jan 30, 2018

Parkinson’s is a complex disease with many symptoms that affect multiple parts of the body. These symptoms can lead to common complications, such as falls and food going down the windpipe into the lungs, causing pneumonia. At the same time, people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) are at risk for conditions that occur in the general population, especially as we age, including heart disease and cancer. Some conditions (i.e., diabetes) even seem to be associated with a higher risk of Parkinson’s. Finally, the more medications you take for various conditions, the more chance there is of a negative drug interaction. But this is not meant to scare you! It is important to be aware of all possibilities and how you can stay as healthy as possible. Dr. Connie Marras, a movement disorders neurologist at the University of Toronto, discusses Parkinson’s comorbidities (conditions you have in addition to PD), how to avoid some of them and what to know about drug interactions.