Family Doctor 2007 - (Page 224) seniors PARKINSON’S DISEASE Living with the diagnosis Although Parkinson’s disease is progressive, the symptoms can be managed to improve quality of life. By Sarah Smiley Young such as brushing your teeth, showering and dressing yourself. Other ways to cope Most people improve a lot when they first start taking medicine to treat Parkinson’s. over time However, the medi- Most cases of Parkinson’s disease are diagnosed in people over the age of 60. cines may become less who have Parkinson’s don’t start to notice signs of the disease until after age 60. Parkinson’s is a “progressive” disease. This means that its effects get worse over time. However, people who have Parkinson’s disease should take heart. In many cases, treatment can help slow the effects of the disease so that people who have Parkinson’s can continue to lead very full lives. W hen many people think of Parkinson’s disease, they think of actor Michael J. Fox. He found out he had the disease at a fairly young age. In fact, most people effective. This is why it’s important to explore other ways to cope with problems. Physical therapy can be very helpful for people who have Parkinson’s. Certain exercises can help improve muscle strength and tone, balance and mobility. Your family doctor can recommend an exercise program or refer you to a physical therapist. Some people who have Parkinson’s also work with a speech therapist to learn to speak as clearly as possible. As always, healthy eating is an important part of feeling good. A diet rich in fiber can help you avoid constipation, a common problem for people who have Parkinson’s. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains contain a lot of fiber. Taking a fiber supplement may also help prevent or relieve constipation. But be sure to start off slowly so your system can adjust. DID YOU KNOW? Some people who have Parkinson’s aren’t helped by medicine — or aren’t helped enough. For these people, a deep brain stimulator may be an option. The stimulator is a small unit that’s implanted in the chest wall. This unit transmits electric pulses to a tiny electrode that’s implanted in part of the brain. These pulses help the brain better control some motor functions. Deep brain stimulation comes with some risks, and it’s not right for everyone who has Parkinson’s. Talk to your doctor about whether or not it may help you. Common problems Parkinson’s disease causes nerve cells in the brain that control muscle movement to stop working correctly. This can lead to problems with walking, talking and even blinking. Many people experience tremors or shaking, especially in their hands and arms. Muscles may become stiff and rigid, and body movement may slow down. Over time, a person who has Parkinson’s may start having difficulty sleeping, swallowing or going to the bathroom. Don’t go it alone Coping with Parkinson’s can be very frustrating. Depression is common in people who have the disease. It’s important to make sure you have a strong support system that includes your friends and family, your doctor and even other people who have Parkinson’s. If you feel depressed, talk to your doctor. He or she can begin treatment, which may include medication and counseling. Effective therapies Several medicines are available to help relieve Parkinson’s symptoms. These medicines can be taken alone or in combination with each other. Your family doctor or neurologist may want to experiment with different amounts and combinations. If you’re taking medicine to treat your Parkinson’s symptoms, you’ll get used to some ups and downs. At certain times, your symptoms may be better or worse. When you’re feeling strong, try to Sarah Smiley Young is a senior associate editor with the American Academy of Family Physicians, headquartered in Leawood, Kan. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org/187.xml Young Onset Parkinson’s Association: Support Groups http://www.yopa.org/support.html American Parkinson Disease Association, Inc. http://apdaparkinson.org Medical Encyclopedia – Parkinson’s Disease http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000755.htm Parkinson’s Disease Foundation http://www.pdf.org do as much as you can. When you’re not feeling strong, give yourself a break. This goes for exercising and for everyday activities 224 familydoctor 2007 http://familydoctor.org/187.xml http://www.yopa.org/support.html http://apdaparkinson.org http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000755.htm http://www.pdf.org
For optimal viewing of this digital publication, please enable JavaScript and then refresh the page. If you would like to try to load the digital publication without using Flash Player detection, please click here.