Why to know about Parkinson disease?
Parkinson’s disease(PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder in adults over the age of 60 years. According to the Global Burden of Disease study(2018), the worldwide burden of PD has more than doubled over past two decades. Despite the large number of people affecting with PD, insight into risk factors specific to Indian population are limited.
Who is suseptible to parkinson's disease?
Age: age of onset around 65yrs and incidence rises significan tly with older age.
Sex: Men are more susceptible than female.
Heredity: People with one or more close relatives who have PD have more chances for occurrence.
Exposure to pesticides: Increased risk of PD in people who live in rural areas with increased pesticide use.
Symptoms you have to notice
Tremor: Often start with shaking of hand then proceeding to foot and jaw. It is most obvious when the hand is at rest or when person in under stress.
Rigidity: Muscle stiffness affect movement of person. The muscles remain constantly tense and contracted so that patient feel pain and stiffness.
Bradykinesia: This is a slowing down of spontaneous movement like loss of swaying movement of hand, short stepping gait, mask like face.
Postural instability: patient faces difficulty in changing posture and maintaining balance which lead to risk of fall.
Other symptoms you may notice like emotional changes, change in speech, forgetfulness, sleep problem, urinary problem, depression in Parkinson’s patients.
What to do after dignosis of PD?
Medication or surgery can often provide significant improvement in the motor symptoms as well as non motor symptoms.
Follow medication: Symptoms significantly improve at first with medication but reappear over time as PD worsens. Patient should never stop taking medication without their physician’s input , because rapidly withdrawing the drug can have serious side effect.
Healthy diet: Diet rich with antioxidants beneficial for preventing PD.
Exercise: Exercise improve mobility, flexibility and body strength of PD patients. Muscle therapy reduce muscle tension and improve flexibility.
Coping with PD: PD usually progresses slowly but gradually affect their daily routine. These changes can be difficult to accept. Support groups can help people cope with the disease’s emotional impact.