The Parkinson's Podcast

Learn more about Parkinson's and find support: https://dpf.org Although a tremor is the most well-known symptom of Parkinson's, a tremor may not be the earliest symptom. Symptoms like loss of smell, constipation, acting out dreams, anxiety, and changes in handwriting can show up years before a diagnosis. Cognitive neurologist Dr. Jeffrey Maneval joins Chris Krueger to walk through the most common early signs, why Parkinson's is so often confused with conditions that mimic it, and the tests that can bring clarity, from sleep studies and DaTscans to skin biopsy and genetic testing. You don't have to wait for a formal diagnosis to start treating symptoms. Dr. Maneval discusses how early interventions, including physical therapy, Parkinson's boxing, voice therapy, and mental health support, can help you live well today, even before you have a diagnosis. Dr. Jeffrey Maneval is a board-certified neurologist at MaineHealth specializing in cognitive disorders, including dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. As Director of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, he is dedicated to advancing patient care, education, and research to improve the lives of people living with neurological conditions. Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson's community: https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup This episode is sponsored by CND Life Sciences, the developer and provider of the Syn-One skin biopsy test.

Learn more about Parkinson's and find support: https://dpf.org  Intimacy, in all its forms, doesn't disappear with a Parkinson's diagnosis, but it does change. In this episode, Dr. Kelly Rees joins Chris Krueger for a candid conversation about staying close when Parkinson's changes your body, your self-image, and your relationship. They talk through what to do when touch becomes unpleasant, how to navigate mismatched desire without pressuring each other, impulse control changes related to dopamine agonists, and how couples stay connected when symptoms mean sleeping in separate beds. Whether you live with Parkinson's or care for someone who does, Dr. Rees's closing advice holds the whole conversation: don't give up on yourself. Kelly Rees, PhD is a board-certified therapist who specializes in intimacy, relationships, and sexual wellbeing in the context of Parkinson's. Dr. Rees has 15 years of clinical experience working with adults and couples, and she co-developed a program offering free intimacy and relationship classes to the Parkinson's community. Her work focuses on how Parkinson's symptoms, medications, body changes, and shifting roles can affect desire, connection, and communication, and on helping individuals and care partners adapt in ways that support quality of life and emotional closeness. This conversation comes from the Davis Phinney Foundation's June 2026 Live Well Today webinar. Watch the full webinar video here: https://youtu.be/G6c7SQnHrLs Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson's community: https://dpf.org/newsletter

Soccer and Parkinson's may not seem like an obvious connection—but for a growing number of people around the world, the beautiful game offers far more than exercise.  In this episode of the Parkinson's Podcast, Chris Krueger talks with Keith Sides about his experience participating in a Walking Soccer for Parkinson's program. Together, they discuss balance, coordination, confidence, community, and the value of trying something new after a Parkinson's diagnosis.  Whether you're a lifelong soccer fan or have never kicked a ball before, this conversation explores how finding enjoyable ways to move can support living well with Parkinson's.  Read the blog post about the Walking Soccer for Parkinson's program and find links to other resources about walking soccer: https://dpf.org/soccer-and-parkinsons  Learn more about Parkinson's and find support: https://dpf.org   Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson's community: https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup    Davis Phinney Foundation, Copyright 2026

Learn more about Parkinson's and find support: https://dpf.org In part three of this three-part series on Parkinson's and the senses, the panel covers vision changes like difficulty driving at night, light sensitivity, depth perception, and how DBS adjustments can affect focus. They also discuss vertigo, dizziness, and the urinary urgency that many people with Parkinson's experience but rarely talk about, including practical strategies like pre-boarding flights and planning bathroom access. Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson's community: https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup  Season 7 Episode 8 Davis Phinney Foundation, Copyright 2026

Learn more about Parkinson's and find support: https://dpf.org In part one of this three part series on Parkinson's and the senses, Amber, Chris, Sree, Kat, Stan, Larry, and Kristi talk about how Parkinson's affects the senses we don't always think about. The panel digs into smell and taste, from olfactory hallucinations and not knowing if you smell to craving stronger flavors, safety concerns around spoiled food and gas leaks, and digestive changes that come along for the ride. Sign up for updates on webinars, events, and resources for the Parkinson's community: https://dpf.org/newsletter-signup  Season 7 Episode 6 Davis Phinney Foundation, Copyright 2026