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Amy
Colcher, MD answered your questions on
Parkinson's Disease.
| Vickie asks:
I was told three years ago I have
essential tremor. Now however I have an at rest tremor of my face. A
feeling of an at-rest tremor in my upper torso. Could this be parkinsons?
I can feel
both my arms trembling as I rest them on the desk. Thank you.
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Dr. Colcher responds:
Parkinson’s Disease typically causes a resting tremor. The arms/hands
are affected in many people, but the jaw, head and legs can be affected
as well. Some people do not have a visible tremor, but may sense the
tremor internally. Essential tremor also produces tremors that typically
occurs with posture or action. If the tremor is severe enough it can
occur at rest as well. Essential tremor also most typically affects the
hands/arms most often but can also affect the head, voice and legs. Essential
tremor frequently runs in families and can increase in severity with
alcohol use. If you are concerned about the diagnosis, see a Movement
Disorders Specialist at the Penn Neurological Institute who can perform
a thorough clinical exam. |
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Carolyn asks:
My Dad will be undergoing DBS surgery this coming July. How much recovery
time will he need and what can the family do to support him?
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Dr. Andrew Siderowf responds:
The recovery time from surgery varies from patient to patient. Many patients
are out of the hospital in about a week, though some stay about 10
days combining post-operative recovery with rehabilitation and physical
therapy. It is typical to have stitches removed and the stimulators
turned on about 2 weeks after surgery, and most patients feel almost back
to normal by that time, but there can be some lingering soreness for
a few more weeks in some patients. |
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Margie asks:
I am about 5 years older than my mom was when she was diagnosed with
Parkinson's Disease. My dad's father also had this disease.
I have heard that the disease is not hereditary,
but also have heard that this is not completely
known. What is your opinion about inheriting
the disease?
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Dr. Colcher responds:
There are genetic forms of Parkinson’s disease. These are very
rare and tend to affect select groups of people. For the most part, in
the United States, families with more than one person affected with PD
do not have an identified gene causing their disease. Current thinking
is that people with family members with PD inherit a susceptibility to
the disease, but they must be exposed to something else to start the
disease process. This means that having a family history of PD makes
one slightly more at risk for developing PD than someone with no family
history. |
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