Date: Monday, September 8, 1997 11:25:21 AM
From: AOL News
Subj: Muhammad and Lonnie Ali Share Personal Side of Parkinson's Battle
Caregivers play essential role in bringing quality to patients' lives
CHICAGO, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Muhammad and Lonnie Ali placed a
spotlight on the lifestyle of Parkinson's patients and their caregivers today
at a press briefing to help raise awareness for the plight of Parkinson's
disease patients across America.
Currently it is estimated that one in every 100 people over the age
of 60
are affected by the debilitating neurodegenerative disease that causes
patients to lose muscle control. As the average age of the American
population increases in the next decade, the number of people who will suffer
from Parkinson's will also increase. Researchers are still searching for
the cause of the disease.
Parkinson occurs when the brain cells that create dopamine begin to
die.
Dopamine is the chemical that allows the brain to send messages to the body,
allowing normal muscle movement. The loss of the dopamine causes Parkinson's
symptoms that include a shuffled walk, shaking hands, drooling, slowed speech
and frozen facial expression.
"Our hope is to draw attention to the daily struggle of the average
Parkinson's patient and caregiver as they work together each day to try and
build more quality into their lives," explained Lonnie Ali. "Parkinson's
patients need support. They need pharmaceutical companies to continue
research for new medications and hopefully a cure. They need regulatory
authorities to expedite the review process on new drugs in order to get them
to patients quicker. They need the support of Congress. And, they need the
media to help educate all Americans about this disease."
Prior to the 1995 Olympic Summer Games in Atlanta, most people
would not
have been able to describe Parkinson's disease. But when Muhammad Ali took
the torch and lit the Olympic flame, Parkinson's was defined for the world.
One of the most charismatic, jubilant, energetic and athletic
figures of
the 20th Century was reduced to a shuffled walk, trembling hands and frozen
facial expression. It was a disturbing, yet a courageous sight.
On that Friday night in Atlanta, the champion of so many causes had
lifted
a large light onto Parkinson's disease. Today in Chicago, he shed more light
onto the plight of the Parkinson's patient, when he and wife Lonnie explained
the everyday battle of Parkinson's patients and their caregivers as they go
the distance against the disease.
"Muhammad has refused to let Parkinson's slow him down," said
Lonnie, who
travels with her husband throughout the world. "It's my job to make sure he
gets the proper nutrition, takes his medication at the correct time each day,
and exercises. He won't run anymore, because he realizes now how bad it is
for his joints. We are planning to build a gym where he will workout daily,
hitting the bag and sparring."
Jack Reich, a Parkinson's patient from Skokie, Illinois, and Lydia
Reich,
his wife and caregiver, participated in the discussion with the Alis, sharing
their personal story.
"Jack is very active. I keep him going all day," said Lydia, who
believes
a busy schedule is important to his overall well-being.
"If we don't have to go to the doctors, we go to the mall to walk.
Twice
a day at home, he rides his stationary bike, lifts weights, does paperwork,
and moves around quite well on his walker. I keep him on a strict time
schedule and diet. His new medication has made him feel a bit better."
Both Muhammad Ali and Jack Reich were prescribed Mirapex when it
was made
available in July.
Dr. Peter LeWitt of Wayne State University School of Medicine
moderated
the discussion about the lifestyle of Parkinson's patients with the Reichs
and
Alis.
In addition, Dr. Baltazar Gomez-Mancilla, medical director of
neurology
for Pharmacia & Upjohn (NYSE: PNU), presented information about treatments
for
Parkinson's disease including the newly approved Mirapex (pramipexole
dihydrochloride tablets), the first Parkinson's drug cleared for marketing
(July 2, 1997) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in eight years.
Patients should be informed that treatment with Mirapex, like all dopamine
agonists, may cause hallucinations or postural hypotension.
Pharmacia & Upjohn co-markets Mirapex with Boehringer Ingelheim
Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which is based in Ridgefield, CT, and is the largest
U.S. subsidiary of Boehringer Ingelheim Corporation. Boehringer Ingleheim
Corporation is a member of the Boehringer Ingelheim worldwide group of
companies headquartered in Ingelheim, Germany. A privately held company,
founded in 1885, Boehringer Ingelheim is a major pharmaceutical,
chemical, animal health, and bakery products manufacturer with operations in
more than 100 countries around the world.
Pharmacia & Upjohn is a global, innovation-driven pharmaceutical
and
health care company. Pharmacia & Upjohn's products, services and employees
demonstrate its commitment to improve wellness and quality of life for people
around the world.
SOURCE Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc.
CO: Pharmacia & Upjohn, Inc.; Boehringer Ingleheim Corporation
ST: Illinois, MichiganCA, Connecticut
IN: MTC
SU:
