(Editorial Reviews) Morton Kondracke chronicles his wife's 13-year battle against Parkinson's disease with the same attention to nitty-gritty details and shrewd understanding of how power works that distinguish his political commentary. Kondracke doesn't airbrush how horrible it is to have Parkinson's (the squeamish should avoid the passages about Milly Kondracke's two rounds of deep-brain surgery), or how difficult it is to live with someone who does (the mere recitation of his caretaking activities will exhaust most readers). He provides unvarnished accounts of the battles among members of the Parkinson's Action Network and other disease activists competing for limited federal research funds, until they got real and decided to fight to double the National Institutes of Health's budget so everyone would get more money. And he refuses to offer a feel-good ending charged with false hope; the book's closing pages include a grim account of the Kondrackes' discussions about what to do if she becomes unable to swallow. (They settled on refusing the feeding tube and allowing her to starve to death, which "is not painful if the patient doesn't take liquids.") Offsetting this bleak material is a vibrant, loving, and equally candid portrait of the indomitable Millicent Martinez Kondracke, who began up-ending the admittedly self-absorbed, drivingly ambitious Kondracke's life from the moment they met in 1966. He'd planned to marry an Ivy-educated heiress who could further his career; instead he was swept away by a Mexican Jewish American firebrand who challenged authority on everything from a botched car repair to the school system's poor handling of their daughter's dyslexia. Seeing how powerful she once was, we share her anguish as she descends into disability--and her husband's hope that, despite all the current scientific projections, research will provide a breakthrough in time to save Milly.

(Editorial Reviews) Parkinson's disease is a degenerative disorder that afflicts at least 500,000 Americans over the age of 45. Neither cause nor cure has been found, although some progress has been made in treatment of symptoms. This is the first book written for patients, families, and caregivers, and it is extremely well done. Comprehensive information on the course of the disease, possible complications, and current research is combined with very practical chapters on medication, exercise, and emotional support. Very highly recommended.

(Editorial Reviews) Dr. Cram's second book on Parkinson's Disease, takes a fresh look at tough challenges. He discusses in detail many less common symptoms of the disease, such as freezing and orthostatic hypotension. A physician who has lived with Parkinson's Disease for twelve years, he is in a unique position to cast light on the health implications of Parkinson's Disease - adding credibility, professionalism and personal compassion to his answers. With wisdom and warmth, his "voice of experience" offers knowledge, confidence, and hope - so critical to Parkinson's Disease patients and families seeking ways to better cope with this distressing disease, while maximizing quality of life.
The organization and substantive content of Answers . . . . translate into an easy-to-read resource about Parkinson's Disease - essential to every family affected and valuable to any healthcare professional who deals with Parkinson's Disease.

(Editorial Reviews) This first of a kind book based on the author’s experience, outlines a comprehensive program specifically geared to those with Parkinson’s disease. This book covers a wide range of movement therapies such as range of motion exercises, low to no-impact aerobics, strength training, yoga, and Tai Chi.
The exercises are all explained in detail utilizing safe body mechanics and are illustrated in standing, standing holding onto a chair, and seated variations to accommodate a wide variety of abilities. This complete wellness program goes beyond the traditional exercise book offering information on home safety, fall prevention, activities of daily living, and body mechanics (including how to get up from the floor) as well as facial and voice projection exercises.

This book also provides information on stress management and provides instruction in four different relaxation/meditation techniques. If you are looking for a complete program to help you manage your symptoms and enhance your quality of life, then this book is for you.

(Editorial Reviews) The latest in the "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You" series-which currently includes guides on Fibromyalgia, Knee Pain and Surgery, and Migraines-this book works as a resource for those who suspect they may have Parkinson's, for those seeking treatment, and for those choosing among conventional and alternative treatments. Marjama-Lyons is a neurologist and former director of the Parkinson Center at the University of Florida; Shomon has no medical degree, but is the author of Living Well with Hyperthyroidism and Living Well with Autoimmune Disease. Together, they begin with "Signs, Symptoms, and Diagnosis," where they define the disease (called the shaking palsy in the early 19th century by James Parkinson), and run through what is known about its causes, mechanisms, risk factors and early indicators. The authors then carefully walk readers through diagnosis, treatments, care and "Future Directions" for combating the disease. There are first-person patient testimony and sidebar notes from "Dr. Jill" throughout, and appendices of references and state-by-state resources. The tone is calm, capable and reassuring.

(Editorial Reviews) As a result of actor Michael J. Fox's disclosure that he has Parkinson's disease, public discussion about both the symptoms and treatment of this illness has heightened. This attention is important, according to these authors, all specialists in the treatment of Parkinson's and other neurological disorders, because it is a progressive, chronic disease whose symptoms including trembling, uneasy gait and loss of dexterity mimic those of other diseases, which can often lead to misdiagnosis. One of the most frustrating aspects of Parkinson's is that it manifests itself differently in each of its victims, which makes coping with this disease particularly challenging. Nonetheless, what is most important, aver the authors, is that both Parkinson's patients and their families have access to the most up-to-date treatment including new drugs, surgery and other therapies (diet, speech therapy, acupuncture), and with compassionate, clear writing, they provide an excellent overview. Leaving no stone unturned, Weiner, Shulman and Lang also advise patients about less clinical but equally important matters such as dealing with health insurance companies and informing employers. Particularly useful for readers are the Q&A section and a comprehensive resource directory. Obtaining an accurate diagnosis is the first step, after which patients and their loved ones will find this practical guide the perfect complement to a physician's care.

(Editorial Review) Nearly one million Americans, including Michael J. Fox and Muhammad Ali, suffer from Parkinson's Disease. Now, a leader in the fight against Parkinson's, Dr. J. Eric Ahlskog of the Mayo Clinic, has written the definitive guide for patients and their families. Dr. Alhskog offers a crystal-clear, nuts-and-bolts approach to the treatment of PD, distilled from over twenty years of experience as a clinician and researcher. His goal is to educate the patient so that they can better team with their doctor to do battle with the disease, streamlining the decision-making process and enhancing their treatment. To do this, Dr. Ahlskog offers a gold mine of information: How do I know if I have PD? What kinds of tests can I take? What medications slow the progress of the disease? What if medications don't help my tremor? What kinds of movement problems may develop later? How can I cope with insomnia and daytime sleepiness, dizziness and depression, memory problems, paranoia, and delusions? Indeed, the book covers virtually every topic related to Parkinson's, from sexual impotence and skin rashes, to the role of nutrition, exercise, and physical therapy. In addition, Dr. Ahlskog discusses brain surgery (though he urges that patients only consider this as a last resort) and such experimental therapies as stem cell transplantation and gene therapy. There are also lists of support and advocacy groups and Internet sites that focus on Parkinson's. The ultimate guide to symptoms and treatment, this superb book is the first place patients should turn for reliable, easy-to-grasp information on Parkinson's disease.

(Editorial Reviews) The same sharp intelligence and self-deprecating wit that made Michael J. Fox a star in the Family Ties TV series and Back to the Future make this a lot punchier than the usual up-from-illness celebrity memoir. Yes, he begins with the first symptoms of Parkinson's disease, the incurable illness that led to his retirement from Spin City (and acting) in 2000. And yes, he assures us he is a better, happier person now than he was before he was diagnosed. In Fox's case, you actually might believe it, because he then cheerfully exposes the insecurities and self-indulgences of his pre-Parkinson's life in a manner that makes them not glamorous but wincingly ordinary and of course very funny. ("As for the question, 'Does it bother you that maybe she just wants to sleep with you because you're a celebrity?' My answer to that one was, 'Ah...nope.'") With a working-class Canadian background, Fox has an unusually detached perspective on the madness of mass-media fame; his description of the tabloid feeding frenzy surrounding his 1988 wedding to Tracy Pollan, for example, manages to be both acid and matter-of-fact. He is frank but not maudlin about his drinking problem, and he refreshingly notes that getting sober did not automatically solve all his other problems. This readable, witty autobiography reminds you why it was generally a pleasure to watch Fox onscreen: he's a nice guy with an edge, and you don't have to feel embarrassed about liking him