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Mirapex Parkinson's Drug Shows Promise

If you think the scientific community is in a slumber when it comes to discovering new treatments for Parkinson's disease ... think again. Yes, there's still "a whole lotta shak'in go'in on", but this time it's in the laboratory. Progress has been made. A major breakthrough in treatment is about to be announced. Data from two studies on Parkinson's Disease is being released at the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) meeting this week in Toronto, Canada. Parkinson’s Disease affects approximately 1% of people over age 60 (one million people in the United States), causing tremor, muscle rigidity, slowed motion, and loss of facial expression. All of these effects worsen over time.

The two, three-year studies were conducted to determine the long-term safety and effectiveness of the drug called pramipexole in the treatment of Parkinson's patients. The studies showed that more than 50% of the patient population successfully controlled symptoms, such as tremors and rigidity, with Mirapex (pramipexole dyhydrochloride tablets) without the use of levodopa (a traditional treatment). This is good news because, although levodopa is very effective initially, over time most patients must increase their dosage to maintain control of their symptoms.

"This is a significant advancement in the way we treat Parkinson's disease, " said Abreham Lieberman, M.D., medical director, National Parkinson Foundation. "Typically, patients only respond fully to levodopa (a traditional treatment) for a few years, at which time they begin to experience fluctuation in symptom control and long-term complications such as dyskensia (difficulty in moving), which severely impact a patient's quality of life."

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Mirapex for the treatment of Parkinson's disease in 1997. Healthcare professionals in the U.S. who have clinical questions about Mirapex can call Pharmacia & Upjohn's Medical and Drug Information number at 1-800-253-8600, extension 38244. Patients in the U.S. who have questions about Mirapex can call Pharmacia & Upjohn's patient product information number at 1-800-432-4702.
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AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com
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Global Aging Presents Diverse Case Scenario

As we approach the 21st century, you just might catch yourself saying "it's a whole new world". But you'd be wrong. Technically, it's a whole "old" world. In fact, the only commodity that is growing like there's no end in site is the global older population. There are currently 580 million older people in the world, according to the World Health Organization. Yes, Virginia, there really is an organization that counts older people. Not bad work, if you can get it. But it's a good thing that someone is counting because the world as we know it will never be quite the same. The new "old" world offers a diverse case scenario. Diverse in that new and different perceptions about aging will emerge and foster new and different roles for the elders of the future. And if you're reading this article, one of those future elders will be you. Interested? Let's take a look.

Where are these older people, globally-speaking that is? Well, contrary to popular opinion, they're not all clipping coupons in Miami Beach. Most older people, over 60% of them, are clipping coupons in developing countries. 355 million of the world's 580 million elders live in developing countries. Wow, you say. If you're impressed by those numbers, then wait until you hear what's about to happen next. By 2020, there will be 1,000 million elders, with over 700 million in the developing world. What are we going to do with all those older people? The answer is simple. Use 'em. Use the elders to create a better world. You see, the news is not all bad. In fact, the future of our rapidly aging world is best presented as a good news, bad news, diverse case scenario.

THE GOOD NEWS
Life expectancy has risen and is expected to go on rising in almost every part of the world. The reason for this is the sharp decline in premature mortality from many infectious and chronic diseases during this century. Improvements in sanitation, housing, nutrition and medical innovations, including vaccinations and the discovery of antibiotics have all contributed to the steep increase in the number of people reaching older age. Sharp increases in life expectancy have been accompanied by substantial falls in fertility all over the world, mainly due to modern contraceptive methods. In India, for example, total fertility rates (that is, the total number of children a woman is expected to have) have decreased from nearly 6 in 1970 to about 3 in 1998. In Brazil, fertility rates dropped from 5 in 1970 to about 2 in 1998. This decline is even more pronounced in China, where the 'one-child-per-family' policy was officially introduced in 1979. Total fertility rates fell from 5.5 in 1970 to the current 1.8, which is below the 2.1 replacement level. The way I see it, some Chinese bureaucrat is finally going to wake up, smell the tea, do the math, and sound the alarm ... China is disappearing.

THE BAD NEWS (sort of)
As more people reach a 'ripe old age' (can anyone tell me why we still refer to older people as "ripe" people), they also enter a period in their lives when they are at higher risk of developing chronic diseases, which in turn may result in disability. In fact, chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer are predicted to be the main contributors to the burden of disease in developing countries by 2020. Infectious diseases – although declining – will continue to add to the burden of disease in those regions. It is projected that in many countries with fertility rates below replacement level, the proportion of older people is expected to exceed the proportion of the very young (aged up to 19 years) by 2050. However, there is mounting evidence from developed countries that people are maintaining better health in later life than ever before. It is estimated that in 1996, there were 1.4 million fewer disabled older persons in the USA, than would have been expected if the health status of older people had not improved since the early 1980s.

DIVERSE CASE SCENARIO
Not everyone looks at aging and older people in the same way. In fact, social perceptions of the value and benefits of old age vary in different cultures. That's a nice way of saying that other non-western cultures don't always take such a dim, negative view of aging and older people. For example, in many African and Asian countries, words which describe older people characterize elders as 'someone with knowledge'. It is important to recognize that aging is not an affliction but a great opportunity to make use of resources acquired over the life course. The World Health Organization believes that older people can be a tremendous asset to families and communities. Good idea. Sounds like what we need is a new image of aging that more accurately reflects the true diversity of aging, elder potential, and late-life roles.
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Micro-Nutrients Macro-Challenge for Aged

Health-conscious adults pay strict attention to their dietary habits, which is why the health supplement industry is a multi-billion dollar market with no apparent ceiling. But, as you well know, the best laid plans are often derailed by unforeseen circumstances. And the issue of latelife dietary concerns is no exception. In the case of senior adults, even the quest for micronutrients can become a macro-challenge. Take a look.

America's elderly consume at least the recommended dietary allowances of iron, zinc and magnesium, but the use of nutritional supplements and drugs commonly used by the elderly can offset the balance of these important nutrients, a new University of Michigan School of Public Health study shows.

The study by Srimathi Kannan examined the intake of iron, zinc, copper and magnesium of elders aged 65-90. Kannan and colleagues examined the micronutrient (also known as trace minerals) intake of these senior citizens. "The elderly should consume a varied and diverse diet and consume nutritional supplements when necessary. Micronutrients are just as important as other nutrients. Being conscious of the need to maintain a healthy balance of iron, zinc, copper and magnesium is especially important for seniors who must contend with other health factors."

Although recommended in very small quantities, micronutrients are essential for good health. Four micronutrients (iron, zinc, magnesium, copper) are instrumental in reducing the risk of morbidity in later years. Here's why. Kannan cautions that a healthy diet can be undermined by a variety of external factors. First, consuming iron exclusively from meat as opposed to plant sources for prolonged periods of time, can place older adults at risk for toxicity. Second, how well the body absorbs nutrients depends on other foods and supplements consumed, Kannan said. For example, tea or coffee can inhibit the absorption of iron. Third, drugs commonly prescribed to older Americans, such as Cholestyrmaine, used to lower blood cholesterol, can reduce iron absorption. In addition, long-term use of antacids can cause copper deficiency.

Here's the point. "While the need for calories decreases with age, the vitamin and mineral needs remain the same as in the 20s and 30s. The older adult should be advised to consume a nutrient-dense diet to fulfill micronutrient needs," Kannan said. It's like I said, the quest for micronutrients can be a macro-challenge at any age. So don't even think about getting up from the table until you've cleaned your plate. Some things never change.
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Do the Write Thing to Reduce Stress

Experts have typed volumes for readers hungry to learn how to cope with stress. So isn't it interesting that the one thing that may help reduce stress more than those volumes is the process of "writing" that produced the volumes in the first place.

Yes, the simple act of writing down thoughts and feelings about stressful events can help chronically ill people improve their health, according to new research reported by the Center for the Advancement of Health. Asthma and arthritis patients who for several days wrote down their feelings about a stressful event in their lives showed significant improvement in their conditions during a four month study, a team of scientists report in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

"Although it may be difficult to believe that a brief writing task can meaningfully impact health, this study replicates in a chronically ill sample what a burgeoning literature indicates in healthy individuals," say Joshua M. Smyth, PhD, and Arthur A. Stone, PhD, and their colleagues. Previous studies showed that healthy individuals who perform similar writing tasks report fewer medical symptoms, greater well being, and less use of health care services, but until now, the impact of writing down thoughts and emotions had not been explored in people with chronic health conditions, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis, say Smyth, of the North Dakota State University Department of Psychology, and Stone, of the Department of Psychiatry, State University of New York at Stony Brook.

The investigators found that nearly half (47 percent) of the patients who wrote about their feelings showed clinical improvement after four months compared with 24 percent of those in the control group. The asthma patients who wrote about stressful events had a 19 percent increase in lung function, on average, whereas those in the comparison group showed no change. Arthritis patients who wrote about stressful events showed a 28 percent average reduction in the severity of their disease, while those in the comparison group showed no change. It is possible, say the researchers, that the writing task changed the way people thought and remembered previous stressful events in their lives, and helped them cope with new stressful events.

Here's the point. If you lead a particularly stressful life, don't run for the medicine cabinet. I suggest you "do the write thing". Keep a journal. It just might speak volumes for your well-being.
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Over-Active Bladder Under Control

Overactive bladder is widely underdiagnosed and under treated. In fact, 90% of patients with overactive bladder do not discuss the symptoms with their doctor, primarily due to embarrassment, lack of self-confidence, and the resignation that overactive bladder is just a normal part of aging.

"It is crucial that we address the misconceptions surrounding this condition and encourage patients to speak with their physicians," says Cheryle Gartley, president of the Simon Foundation for Continence. "It is equally important for physicians to help educate patients on the full range of options that are available that can help them resume more normal lives."

In response to the nearly 17 million Americans suffering from overactive bladder, the ALZA Corporation has introduced the first once-a-day treatment. Ditropan XL (oxybutynin chloride) couples a proven therapeutic with a leading drug delivery technology to help reduce the discomfort and embarrassment often associated with symptoms of overactive bladder.

Overactive bladder is characterized by the following symptoms. These symptoms interfere with the most basic daily activities such as exercising, traveling, sleeping, and social interactions. As a result, people with overactive bladder become socially isolated or housebound due to fear of embarrassment resulting form wetting accidents in public. The good news is that these patients don't have to suffer in silence. In fact, they don't have to suffer at all.

Clinical research trials suggest that Ditropan XL can help many patients experience a significant reduction in symptoms. Also, the once-a-day dosing appears to make it easier for patients to comply with their treatment regimen. Ditropan XL is now available in pharmacies nationwide.
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Sounds of Silence Befall Deaf Ears

Just step away from the remote control and stop fighting over your television's sound volume. Your spouse may be right. The darn thing is too loud already. Besides, the excess volume may contribute to your already declining hearing ability.

Noise is the biggest cause of hearing loss, though genetics, drugs and disease, all play a role, says Edith McFadden, MD, University of Chicago's Pritzker School of Medicine. In a interview with New Choices magazine, McFadden cautioned that continual contact with common sounds such as a gasoline-powered lawn mower, can cause hearing loss by destroying the nerve endings in the inner ear. And you thought hearing loss was solely attributed to the inevitable process of human aging.

"The best thing people can do for their hearing", says McFadden, "is to become aware of the noise levels in their environment". Noise levels are measured in decibels (dB), and the higher the decibel count, the more harmful the clamor. A dishwasher gives off 60dB, for example, while a snowmobile sounds off at 100dB. Anything that emits an 85 dB and higher is considered potentially hazardous by experts.

We can protect our ears by restricting proximity to noxious noises, notes McFadden. Don't set out to have coffee on your porch while the landscaper is working on your neighbor's lawn. And if you're mowing your own lawn, wear industrial earmuffs, which can be found at the hardware store. And don't do it for more than 30 minutes.

Even young people are affected by these life noises. The music that pipes loudly through their headphones can be just as threatening. If the manufacturers of those head-phones really had a long-range marketing plan, they'd be cranking out hearing aides for their lifelong customers.
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