At the recent International Movement Disorder and Parkinson's Disease meeting of 2021, exciting research updates were presented. The clinical trials presented included trials of disease modification, therapies for the motor symptoms, and therapies for the non-motor symptoms.  Trials with negative outcomes were also presented at this meeting.  Dr. Klos discusses highlights of this meeting. 

The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information. 

In my clinical practice, I have the opportunity to discuss many caregiving related subjects with my patients and their caregivers. I hear many pervasive opinions on certain topics that many caregivers learn from misinformation on the internet, discussed in support groups, and other resources. These myths have the opportunity to sabotage the care of your loved one. On this episode, I bring to your attention some of the more common myths and misconceptions and address the science behind my recommendations. 

Learn easy action steps that you may implement right away to help partner with your loved one as they battle Parkinson's disease. 

The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information. 

This show shares my interview with Neurosurgeon, Dr. Andrew Conner, from the University of Oklahoma Neurosurgery department. Dr. Conner received his DBS training from one of the top rated DBS centers in the world, the University of California San Francisco . 

In the last few years, the field of Movement Disorders have witnessed numerous advances in technology for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). Now there are three device companies producing innovative hardware for the market place. The surgical procedure has evolved with the technology and outcomes have improved greatly with these advances. We have seen not only better efficacy results from the procedure but a reduction in side effects. Dr. Conner shares the details of these advances and how he performs the surgery today. 

In addition, Dr. Conner provides great advise on caring for a loved one going through DBS surgery. He points out what to watch out for after surgery. Dr. Conner has a passion for this procedure and helping patients who require this DBS implant to have the best outcome possible. He also discusses some  of the differences between the new Ultrasound ablation procedure as it compares to DBS. 

The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information. 

True happiness results when a caregiver is able to serve a loved one with their entire mind, body and spirit. As caregivers, we have an incredible opportunity to find this happiness in our journey with a loved one battling Parkinson's disease. To find this happiness, we have to put aside our own selfish thoughts and desires and give our best to our loved one. This is certainly easy to say and hard to accomplish. 

I interviewed a caregiver named Jack. His wife, Lois, was a patient in my practice with a long history of Parkinson's disease. Jack is one of the best caregivers I have witnessed demonstrating a servant heart in the way he cared for Lois over her last 17 years with this illness. As he says, "I did it out of love." I hope you enjoy the stories and advise Jack shares with us on this interview. 

The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information. 

Perhaps you and/or your loved one with Parkinson's disease have read about protein intake and possible interactions with dopamine therapy. You may have read articles recommending a diet low in protein if you have Parkinson's disease. 

On this episode, I discuss the facts and science behind dietary protein intake and Parkinson's disease. I discuss proper timing of levodopa or dopamine therapy and protein intake. I present some cases from my clinic illustrating these concepts. 

As a care partner or caregiver, it is important to be familiar with proper protein intake and timing of medication around protein intake to help your loved one achieve the most from their medication and find stability and consistency in the benefits of their medication dosing. 

The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information. 

In this episode, I interview a board certified gastroenterologist, Dr. Matt Blankenship from Tulsa, Oklahoma. Dr. Blankenship has experience treating numerous digestive system problems related to Parkinson's disease. He is also one of the most experienced interventionalists in the US regarding Duopa therapy. 

Dr. Blankenship discusses the different types of constipation that our loved ones commonly face throughout the illness with Parkinson's disease. He offers practice treatment advise for this problem including a discussion of both over the counter treatment options as well as prescription therapies. He discusses the new therapy for chronic constipation with brand name Motegrity. 

In this episode, Dr. Blankenship also discusses digestive health screening recommendations both for people with Parkinson's disease and care partners and caregivers. He discusses Duopa therapy. Finally, he educates us on some important symptoms that your loved one may experience that would alert you to seek medical attention promptly. 

The Parkinson's disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information. 

In this episode, I interview a Swallow Specialist from Oklahoma, Tiffany Turner, to learn about how Parkinson's disease may impair swallowing function. Tiffany explains how dysfunction in the nervous system may lead to swallowing difficulty and what clinical signs we need to be aware of as caregivers that such a problem is developing. Tiffany explains how a swallow disorder is evaluated in the clinic and in the hospital settings. She details for us what she is looking for and how she recognizes if the swallowing difficulty may be a result of some other gastrointestinal disorder. Tiffany provides us with treatment options that may reverse swallowing dysfunction in our loved one as well as information on how to prevent life threatening complications related to swallowing. 

The Parkinson's Disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information. 

One of the many challenges in caregiving for a loved one with Parkinson's disease is assuming a new role in the relationship and family. Many of us caregivers may not have been the leader of the family especially related to making decisions, handling the family finances, and even taking care of our family member. Parkinson's disease will progress to a point where an individual will have great difficulty maintaining this leadership role and will now depend upon a caregiver for everything. 

Anka has been caring for her husband with Parkinson's disease for over 13 years. Her role in the family has changed and she is now the leader of the family . She manages everything including her husbands health needs, medications, therapy, and transportation. She takes care of him alone at home and only recently hired help a few hours a week to help her with some of the lifting tasks that are difficult for her to complete. 

Anka shares her personal journey as a caregiver. She offers great wisdom and advice for all of us.  I think you will enjoy her interview. We appreciate the time she gave to this podcast episode and for all of the support she provides to the Parkinson community in our area. 

The Parkinson's Disease Caring Podcast is produced and hosted by Dr. Kevin Klos. Please visit www.pdcaring.com for more resources and information. 

Today's Klos clinic will discuss a rescue therapy option that very few people are ever told about in the Neurology clinic. In fact, this option will certainly be unlikely to be discussed with new rescue therapies on the market such as Inbrija and Kynmobi. Join Dr. Klos for this episode to learn more about this important option to help your loved one battle off times. If this therapy seems reasonable to consider, please discuss with your loved one and the healthcare provider to see if this option is right for your loved one. 

Please visit pdcaring.com for a recipe for this rescue therapy and more resources. 

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Duopa therapy is an important addition to the treatment options for people with Parkinson's disease. Very few patients and caregivers learn about this therapy from their provider due to lack of experience using the product. Many are reluctant to consider the therapy due to misconceptions about the procedure and maintenance of the pump system. 

On this episode, I interview a patient with Parkinson's disease currently using the Duopa system in my clinical practice. He shares insight into his experience to help caregivers understand better what their loved one may go through and what they may expect in helping their loved one with this therapy. JR provides helpful tips for the caregiver beyond just using the Duopa system that I hope will help you. We are thankful for JR's willingness to join us on this podcast. 

Please visit pdcaring.com for more information and resources. Thank you for supporting this podcast!