Q&A with Dr. Erik Krause: Summer with Parkinson’s Disease
As we begin to enter the summer season, let’s take a look at how this affects people with Parkinson’s disease. A few simple adjustments can help you stay safe, active, and comfortable. Summer Heat As we get older, especially for those living with Parkinson’s disease, blood pressure can become lower than it was before. In […]
Q & A with Dr. Erik Krause: Rigidity
When you think of Parkinson’s, we mostly think tremor. The cardinal features of parkinsonism include resting tremor, slowness, postural instability, and rigidity. Neurologists often neglect the signs and symptoms associated with rigidity, which is defined by increased muscle tone throughout a muscle group. This can result in decreased range of motion, walking changes, and even pain. […]
Q&A with Dr. Erik Krause: Balance
Balance is such a complicated symptom in Parkinson’s for both patients and physicians. Balance is multifactorial and can have influences from across your body. It is often difficult to describe or put into words. I notice some patients will even say “dizziness” but are not actually lightheaded. Parkinson’s classic gait appearance is described as stooped, shuffling, […]
Q & A with Dr. Erik Krause: Apathy, the Symptom No One Sees
What even is apathy? That’s part of the problem. It is hard to describe, let alone hard to recognize, as a symptom.. This ambiguity reflects in the reported prevalence of apathy in Parkinson’s ranging from 17-70% of patients. Features of apathy include lack of interest, initiative, and emotional reactivity, which can relate to changes in […]
Q & A with Dr. Erik Krause: Sleep and Parkinson’s Disease
Sleep disruption in Parkinson’s disease is a common concern for most of my patients. Daytime sleepiness can ruin an entire day, even worse if it becomes your new normal. Sleep disruption can exacerbate motor symptoms, worsen mood, and accelerate cognitive decline affecting attention and concentration. As a neurologist, my goal is to understand WHY patients […]