I have Parkinson’s disease Am I able to get burial insurance?

Parkinson’s disease mostly affects older people but can also occur in younger adults. The symptoms are the result of the gradual degeneration of nerve cells in the portion of the midbrain that controls body movements. The first signs are likely to be barely noticeable — a feeling of weakness or stiffness in one limb, or a fine trembling of one hand when it is at rest. Eventually, the shaking (tremor) worsens and spreads, muscles become stiffer, movements slow down, and balance and coordination deteriorate. As the disease progresses, depression, cognitive issues, and other mental or emotional problems are common.

Parkinson’s disease usually begins between the ages of 50 and 65, striking about 1% of the population in that age group; it is slightly more common in men than in women. Medication can treat its symptoms and decrease disability.  Hi, I am Mitch Winstead from Allstar Senior Benefits.  Are you able to get burial insurance if you have Parkinson’s disease?  Yes!  you can. There is burial insurance for seniors.  Also for younger people.  You may pay 30% more for it.  It is still affordable and the younger you get burial insurance the cheaper it is.  The main point is that you can get insurance.  Call today for a quote with no obligation.  You can get a whole life insurance policy that builds cash value after 18-24 months.  Your benefits never increase and your premiums never decrease.  Our toll-free number is 866-598-8170 or 910-538-4547. Email is mitch@allstarseniorbenefits.com.  Our website is www.allstarseniorbenefits.com. We have been helping people for over 34 years.

Before I became an Insurance broker,  I was a Physical Therapist Assistant.  I have helped several people with Parkinson’s disease.  I helped them walk better.  I have helped them with coordination and balance and strengthening.  I still help people on a part-basis today. I co-own a Physical therapy practice called Physical Therapy for Life. Most of the patients I have had done well with their rehab.  My uncle had Parkinson’s disease.  Michael J. Fox has Parkinson’s disease. Muhammud Ali had Parkinson’s disease.  I am sure there are many others, those are the ones that pop up in my head.  I am going to attempt to give you an overview of Parkinson’s disease.

Body movements are regulated by a portion of the brain called the basal ganglia, whose cells require a proper balance of two substances called dopamine and acetylcholine, both involved in the transmission of nerve impulses. In Parkinson’s, cells that produce dopamine begin to degenerate, throwing off the balance of these two neurotransmitters. Researchers believe that genetics sometimes plays a role in this cellular breakdown. In rare instances, Parkinson’s disease may be caused by a viral or by exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides, carbon monoxide, or the metal manganese. But in the great majority of Parkinson’s cases, the cause is unknown.

Parkinson’s disease is a form of parkinsonism. This is a more general term used to refer to the set of symptoms that are commonly associated with Parkinson’s disease but sometimes stems from other causes. The distinction is important because some of these other causes may be treatable, while others do not respond to treatment or medication. Other causes of parkinsonism include:

• An adverse reaction to prescription drugs
• Use of illegal drugs
• Exposure to environmental toxins
• Stroke
• Thyroid and parathyroid disorders
• Repeated head trauma (for example, the trauma associated with boxing and multiple concussions)
• Brain tumor
• An excess of fluid around the brain (called hydrocephalus)
• Brain  inflammation (encephalitis) resulting from infection
• Symptoms of Parkinson’s.

• Parkinson’s is a movement disorder that progresses slowly. Some people will first notice a sense of weakness, difficulty walking, and stiff muscles. Others may notice a tremor of the head or hands. Parkinson’s is a progressive disorder and the symptoms gradually worsen. The general  include symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

  • Decreased facial expression, monotonous speech, and decreased eye blinking
  • A shuffling gait with poor arm swing and stooped posture
  • Unsteady balance; difficulty rising from a sitting position
  • Continuous “pill-rolling” motion of the thumb and forefinger
  • Abnormal tone or stiffness in the trunk and extremities
  • Swallowing problems in later stages
  • Lightheadedness or fainting when standing (orthostatic hypotension)
  • Slowness of voluntary movements especially of the initiation of walking or rolling over in bed
    

    Diagnosis & Tests

    Learn how Parkinson’s disease is diagnosed, and the tests your doctor may perform to arrive at a diagnosis.

    1. How is Parkinson’s diagnosed? It has been estimated that, especially in its early stages, nearly 40% of people with Parkinson’s Disease may not be diagnosed, and as many as 25% are misdiagnosed.
    2. Parkinson’s and PET scans positron emission tomography (PET) scan is a test used to give you and your doctors more information about how the cells in your body are functioning.
    3. What does a CT scan do? tomography uses X-rays and computers to produce images of inside the body, including the brain. This test is used to look for signs of disease like Parkinson’s.
    4. MRI or magnetic resonance imaging is a test that produces very clear images of the human body without the use of X-rays.
       1. Guided imagery is a relaxation technique that uses positive mental images to influence how you feel. It can enhance, but not replace, traditional Parkinson’s treatment.
       2. Speech Therapy. Difficulty speaking and swallowing can be severely limiting symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Both can be helped by seeing a speech pathologist or speech therapist.
       3. Physical and Occupational therapy. Parkinson’s disease may cause you to move more slowly. You may also feel tightness, pain, and weakness, especially in the muscles and joints. Physical and occupational therapy may help with these symptoms.
       4. Swallowing problems. Many people with Parkinson’s disease have difficulty swallowing because they lose control of their mouth and throat muscles.
       5. Sexual problems. Tips for coping with sexual problems if you or your partner have Parkinson’s disease.
       6. Depression and other mental health disorders can develop from Parkinson’s disease.
       7. Constipation and Parkinson’s. Constipation often affects those with Parkinson’s disease. It occurs when bowel movements become difficult or less frequent.
       8. Parkinson’s and lightheadedness.  Why is lightheadedness a common problem in those with Parkinson’s disease? Learn more about orthostatic hypotension.
       9. Counseling for Parkinson’s related issues. Parkinson’s disease, as with many chronic illnesses, will affect you both physically and mentally. If you need help coping with Parkinson’s, consider seeking counseling services.
       1. Most Parkinson’s disease treatments aim to restore the proper balance of the neurotransmitters acetylcholine and dopamine. This is usually done with medication, but some patients are candidates for implantation of a deep brain stimulator or DBS.
       2. There are is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, but it can be managed — and the symptoms of the disease can be relieved or reduced.
       3. There are two general approaches to treating Parkinson’s disease with medication. The first attempt is to increase levels of dopamine in the brain; the second attempt is to improve by other means.
       4. Generally, surgery is only considered as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease when medication cannot adequately control symptoms. Two surgical approaches used for Parkinson’s are pallidotomy and thalamotomy.
       5. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a way to inactivate parts of the brain that cause the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.
       6. Gamma knife treatment Not actually a “knife” at all, the gamma knife is a machine that emits hundreds of powerful, highly focused gamma radiation beams. It allows for a more precise and concentrated treatment than with other radiation treatments.
       7. What to ask the doctor about Parkinson’s? If you’ve just been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, here are 10 questions you should consider asking your doctor.
       8. Alternative treatments Vitamin E, coenzyme Q10, and uric acid are among alternative treatments that have been studied as treatments for Parkinson’s disease. However, they were not found to be effective.
       9. Parkinson’s disease research.  Some Parkinson’s disease treatments currently being studied involve fetal cell transplantation, the use of stem cells, and gene therapy.

   

This concludes the article on Parkinson’s disease.  I hope that one day there will be a cure for this. My name is Mitch Winstead from Allstar Senior Benefits.  Call today for a quote with no obligation.  Our toll-free number is 866-598-8170 or 910-538-4547. Our email is mitch@allstarseniorbenefits.com  Our website address is www.allstarseniorbenefits.com