**** Elections thread *****

[JKDS]

What other reasons exist for each of the observed signs? Isn't it true that these reasons are each incredibly common? Given parkinsons is apparently in only 0.3% of the US population, isn't it less likely than each of the common other explanations?

Coughing, for example, could easily be a sign of her screaming at every rally and debate. Blue sunglasses are sold at every sunglass store. Old people have muscle and light sensitivity. These are all super common things

[Poopadoop]

What other reasons exist for each of the observed signs? Isn't it true that these reasons are each incredibly common? Given parkinsons is apparently in only 0.3% of the US population, isn't it less likely than each of the common other explanations?

Coughing, for example, could easily be a sign of her screaming at every rally and debate. Blue sunglasses are sold at every sunglass store. Old people have muscle and light sensitivity. These are all super common things

If we're talking specifically about her demographic of white women 65-70 it's almost certainly higher than 0.3% but you're right it isn't rampant by any means. And as 'rilla correctly pointed out, PD is difficult to diagnose. This is because the symptoms are so varied and not all symptoms occur in all patients, and also because in the type of people who develop PD, there's often a lot of other neurological issues going on because of their age.

That said, I still think there's a very strong likelihood she has some serious neurological issues that are affecting her motor system, and that a likely (but not the only) candidate for these is PD.

[Poopadoop]

First, look at her history.

She's had at least one blood clot in her brain (I've heard also that it was two) that required hospitalization for a month. So it's not like they just cleared the clot up and she was fine and walked out. She likely had a stroke. This a serious problem not just because it causes brain damage but because it suggests a clotting issue that makes more clots likely, which means more strokes. They are almost certainly going to treat that with anticoagulants but this is a treatment not a cure.

On one of her falls she had a concussion and had post-concussion syndrome. She was seen wearing prism glasses after this, which is a treatment for people who experiencing double vision. In a person her age these facts are not trivial because the brain's ability to recover from knocks diminishes with age. She may have fully recovered or she may not have.

Is it possible these things have all cleared up and she's fine? Sure. Is it likely? Not very. At the least these are significant risk factors for current or future brain damage.

[Poopadoop]

Second, let's look at some of her behaviors. I'm going to assume the video I've seen of her isn't doctored in some way because I've seen the same footage from different sources.

a. The exaggerated movements. There's a term used in the study of brain damage which is NQR (Not Quite Right). This means you see something in a person's behavior that is inappropriate and a cause for concern. The two videos of her responding to reporters shouting questions and at the DNC show someone who I would say is NQR. If I had an aunt or friend's mom or whatever who behaved this way I would insist they go a neurologist, that is the honest truth.

There is a normal response to a strong stimulus which is very stereotypical, meaning it's the same across all healthy people. It's called an orienting response. The eyes move first and the head follows in one motion. She isn't doing that in either of those videos. Her eyes and head go back and forth and even her facial expression isn't right.

These NQR movements are wholly consistent with a neurological issue that may or may not be PD.

[Poopadoop]

b. The stumbles, falls, and faints.

Certainly people without brain damage have stumbles, falls, and faints. People with healthy brains sometimes lose their balance and fainting can arise from health problems that aren't directly related to the brain.

It's not the presence of these incidents that's concerning, it's their frequency. She is having these issues so often that it suggests at least some of them could have a neurological basis. It's not definitive by any means, but it is consistent with the other evidence.

[Poopadoop]

c. The coughing fits.

Again, not definitive and can occur for lots of different reasons that aren't all neurologically-based. But also consistent with a motor disoder that may or may not be PD.

d. Pneumonia. PD and other patients with swallowing problems can develop pneumonia when food gets in the lungs. Fact. Doesn't prove it's what caused her pneumonia, people also get pneumonia for lots of other reasons. But again, consistent with a neurological motor disoder.

[a500lbgorilla]

a. The exaggerated movements. There's a term used in the study of brain damage which is NQR (Not Quite Right).

Yes, because diagnosing neurological disorders is v difficult. I'm at least glad the profession knows this, even if you don't.

Can't wait to read all the other alphabetical reasons why you know exactly what's wrong with her.

[a500lbgorilla]

Blue sunglasses are sold at every sunglass store.

Hill ain't wearing corner store blue-reflective sunglasses. She wears thousand dollar skirts, and so i assume she also wears thousand dollar sunglasses. So why do her sunglasses reflect blue light? It doesn't strike me as being a figure head for a new fashion nor does it seem like a new hipster trend to avoid blue light.

Methinks she may have a problem with the epilepsy.