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Jaime Presslys Father Passes After Parkinsons Battle

Jaime Pressly has paid tribute to her father after his death from Parkinson's disease.The My Name Is Earl actress, 48, detailed her father James Liston Pressly'...

Jaime Presslys Father Passes After Parkinsons Battle
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Jaime Pressly has paid tribute to her father after his death from Parkinson's disease.

The My Name Is Earl actress, 48, detailed her father James Liston Pressly's 'long and difficult' battle with the incurable, degenerative disease in a poignant tribute on Tuesday.

She wrote: 'Today is a sad day. My brother Jim and I lost our dad to Parkinson’s. His battle was long and difficult, and while we are happy he’s finally at peace and out of pain, our hearts are broken. 

'He was the man who gave us our sense of humor. Nobody could tell a joke better than him. His timing was impeccable. He taught us to fish, hunt, and always said “if you’re good to your people they’ll be good to you.” 

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'He was a gentleman with a kind heart and warm smile who never met a stranger. Therefore, my brother and I have never met one either. 

'Dad, thank you for every bit of it and for always loving us unconditionally without judgment no matter what. I will love and miss you always. You were truly one of a kind.'

Jaime Pressly has paid tribute to her father after his death from Parkinson's disease - pictured with father James Liston Pressly 

The My Name Is Earl actress, 48, detailed her father James Liston Pressly's 'long and difficult' battle with the incurable, degenerative disease in a poignant tribute on Tuesday - pictured with her father and brother James Jr.

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Pressly's celebrity friends took to Instagram to send their condolences, with Michael Buble writing, 'So sorry Jaime. So much love from our fam to yours in these very difficult times.'

Shanna Moakler typed, 'Godspeed Jaime, my deepest thoughts and prayers to you and your family. Stay strong.'

Mario Lopez added, 'God Bless Jaime.'

Pressly is a veteran actress best known for her work as Joy Turner on the aforementioned NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl which aired from 2005 to 2009.

For her role she received the highest honor of her career as she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series back in 2007. She also earned multiple Golden Globe Award and Screen Actors Guild nominations.

She was a staple on the big screen as well, especially in teen comedies, as she starred in: Can't Hardly Wait (1998), Inferno (1999), Joe Dirt (2001), Not Another Teen Movie (2001), The Karate Dog (2004), and I Love You, Man (2009).

More recently she

For her work on the series, Pressly earned a Critics' Choice Television Award nomination in the Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy series category in 2021. She ultimately lost out to Ted Lasso's Hannah Waddingham.

Pressly's celebrity friends took to Instagram to send their condolences, with Michael Buble writing, 'So sorry Jaime. So much love from our fam to yours in these very difficult times'

Pressly is a veteran actress best known for her work as Joy Turner on the aforementioned NBC sitcom My Name Is Earl which aired from 2005 to 2009

She was a staple on the big screen as well, especially in teen comedies, as she starred in Not Another Teen Movie (2001) alongside Chris Evans

More recently she starred as Jill Kendall on the CBS sitcom Mom from 2014 to 2021 alongside Allison Janney and Anna Faris

Her career did hit a roadblock in January 2011 as she was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) in Santa Monica.

She eventually pleaded no contest and received three years of informal probation.

It was a tumultuous time in the star's life as two weeks after the arrest she had filed for divorce from entertainment lawyer Simran Singh.

The two announced their engagement in July 2009 and marrying eight months later in September 2009 at the Dick Clark estate overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Pressly is also a mother of two as she gave birth to twin sons in October 2017 with longtime boyfriend Hamzi Hijazi.

She also shares an 18-year-old son named Dez with ex-boyfriend Eric Calvo.

What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a condition in which parts of the brain become progressively damaged over many years, according to the NHS website.

What are the symptoms?

The NHS says there are three major symptoms, including tremors or shaking, slowness of movement and muscle stiffness.

Other symptoms include problems with balance, loss of smell, nerve pain, excessive sweating and dizziness.

Some people can also experience lack of sleep, excessive production of saliva and problems swallowing, causing malnutrition and dehydration.

What are the early signs?

Symptoms can start gradually, sometimes beginning with a barely noticeable tremor in just one part of the body.

In the early stages, people may show little or no expression, and their arms may not swing when they walk.

Speech can also become soft or slurred, with the condition worsening over time.

What are the causes?

Some scientists believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors are the cause of Parkinson's disease.

It occurs after a person experiences loss of nerve cells in a part of their brain.

However, it is not known why the loss of nerve cells associated with the condition takes place but research is ongoing to identify potential causes.

Scientists say genetics factor can increase a person's risk of developing the disease, and can therefore run in families.

Other factors attributed to causing the condition include environmental problems such as pollution, though such links are inconclusive, the NHS says.

How is it diagnosed?

No tests can conclusively show if a person has the disease, but doctors can make a diagnosis based on symptoms, medical history and a physical examination.

A specialist will ask the person to write or draw, walk or speak to check for any common signs of the condition.

They may even check for difficulty making facial expressions and slowness of limb movement.

How many people are affected?

Around 145,000 people live with Parkinson's disease in the UK, according to the charity Parkinson's UK.

What happens if someone is diagnosed?

According to the charity, it is a legal requirement to contact the DVLA, as a diagnosed person will need to have a medical or driving assessment.

The organisation also advises people to contact any insurance providers and find out about financial support available.

People are also encouraged to partake in more exercise.

Can it be treated?

Although there is no cure, a number of treatments are available to help reduce the symptoms.

The main remedies include medication, exercise, therapy and surgery, which can help people in different ways.

What medication is available and what are the side effects?

Medication can be helpful in improving the main symptoms of Parkinson's disease, such as shaking and movement problems.

There are three main types which are commonly used, levodopa, dopamine agonist or a MAO-B inhibitor. Each can affect people in different ways.

The drugs do have some side effects, including impulsive and compulsive behaviour, hallucinations, sleep issues and blood pressure changes.

What therapy is available?

There are several therapies available to those with Parkinson's through the NHS.

Among them are physiotherapy to reduce muscle stiffness, occupational therapy to help with completing day-to-day tasks and speech and language coaching.

Does this change the way you live?

Most people's life expectancy will not change a great deal, though more advanced symptoms can lead to increased disability and poor health.

It can also cause some cognitive issues and changes to mood and mental health.

Those with Parkinson's are encouraged to exercise more often, with scientists saying 2.5 hours of exercise a week is enough to slow the progression of symptoms.

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