The Parkinson's disease treatment book Partnering with your doctor to get the most from your medications

Review by Library Journal Review

In this highly technical volume, Ahlskog, a Mayo Clinic neurologist and movement disorders specialist, focuses almost exclusively on medications for treating Parkinson's disease (PD). He includes a primer on the brain and its function, as well as what changes occur when the disorder is present; symptoms, diagnosis, conditions that mimic PD, and possible causes are also briefly detailed. The discussion of drugs that treat or slow the progression of the disease is more detailed, going into which medications are recommended to begin treatment for specific symptoms, complete dosing instructions, and side effects/toxicity levels. Surgery, research, other therapies, and emotional issues occupy minimal pages. While the book's stated purpose is to educate patients and family members, Ahlskog's writing is much closer to the professional medical level and would require an extremely dedicated patient. Most readers would be better served by William J. Weiner and others' Parkinson's Disease: A Complete Guide for Patients & Families, which offers a more comprehensive and optimistic approach to the illness. Recommended only for larger collections.-Janet M. Schneider, James A. Haley Veterans' Hosp., Tampa, FL (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Kirkus Book Review

Ahlskog--a professor of neurology at the Mayo Medical School, a chair holder at the Mayo Clinic and a clinical investigator responsible for treatment protocols--discusses the many faces of Parkinson's disease in this illuminating guide to treatment. PD, a disorder of the brain motor systems characterized by slowness, stiffness and often tremors, has no cure (even its origins are still vague), but there are ways to go about slowing the progress of the disease. Ahlskog covers treatment of all aspects of PD that have worked for him--from drooling to anxiety, hallucinations to insomnia--and provides instruction sheets to address the problems, through early to late stages. He helps readers to develop a medical vocabulary and a specific lexicon for parkinsonism; introduces the brain in the aspects that are well understood; details specific treatment regimens; and provides Q & A sessions for frequently asked questions about the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of various strategies. The hope here is to facilitate treatment, to let people with PD work as a team with their families and their doctor; Ahlskog is clear that he is not here to usurp your doctor's role. Massively informative, accessible though never condescending (indeed, Ahlskog is demanding close attention, for there are mimics out there that are not PD)--Ahlskog has produced a distinguished, invaluable piece of medical literature. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

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