Last week I wrote about Alzheimer’s disease as well as the help available in Guyana. I received many emails requesting to speak of other illnesses that individuals and their family members are struggling to deal with. A few of those emails requested that information is brought to light on Parkinson’s disease.
What is Parkinson’s disease?
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system which mainly affects movement. Progressive means that it starts off slowly and worsens over time. It is mainly caused by the damage of important neurons- which are nerve cells in the brain. It particularly damages parts of the brain that produce dopamine which is a chemical largely responsible for movement and coordination. Over time, this affects the individual’s ability to control overall body movement.

Parkinson’s typically affects individuals over age 60. If it is developed in anyone younger, it is called Young-Onset Parkinson’s. It is more commonly diagnosed in males than females and sadly, the life expectancy of someone who is diagnosed with Young-Onset Parkinson’s is typically between 7- 14 years.

What are the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease?
These can be physical or mental and largely depend on the progression of the disease. Parkinson’s typically begins with a small hand tremor. This leads to slow and (cause) rigid movements, called bradykinesia. Over time, this becomes constant and uncontrollable tremors which leads to impaired balance and coordination. The subsequent stiffness in the muscles may result in pain which also decreases movement in general.

As the progression worsens, it becomes hard to do regular daily activities such as writing, brushing teeth or getting dressed. Eating becomes difficult due to lack of hand coordination as well as problems swallowing. Issues with digestion, bladder control and blood pressure/sugar are also common. All of these disruptions typically result in difficulty sleeping.

Cognitive problems such as dementia, impaired perception and decreased attention and memory, also tend to occur when an individual develops Parkinson’s. Senses such as sight, smell and touch are also negatively affected. In rare and extreme cases, hallucinations and delusions can occur.
Mentally, Parkinson’s increases the chances of stress, sadness, fear, insecurity, anxiety, depression and even suicidal thoughts and behaviours. The individual is still mentally aware of what is happening around him/her but control of bodily functions is lost. They become dependent on other people. They may feel like a burden on friends and family.

There are facial symptoms which minimize expressions. It will be difficult to see/understand what the individual is feeling. This tends to make them feel misunderstood or alone. Their speech will become slurred, quiet or non-existent.

 
Who is at risk for developing Parkinson’s disease?
There are multiple causes for Parkinson’s.
As mentioned, the two major risk factors being damage to certain areas of the brain (which are responsible for movement and coordination) as well as age.
Like most other illnesses, there is a heredity factor at play. If you have a close relative with Parkinson’s, you are more likely to develop the disease yourself. The more affected relatives, the higher your chances of development, especially if you are male. There are mutations of several, specific genes which also makes development more likely.
Research shows that head injuries of those prone to development increase the risk of the disease.
There are some studies that also show the exposure to toxins such as pesticides and herbicides also increase the chances of developing the disease.

How is Parkinson’s disease treated?
Parkinson’s disease cannot be cured but can be treated and managed with prescription medication and counseling.
The appropriate medication will be prescribed by the diagnosing doctor. These will increase the production of dopamine in the brain and will, therefore, manage the tremors and movement issues. The user will see strong changes in the first stages of treatment. Unfortunately, over time, the benefits of the drug tends to become less consistent.

Lifestyle changes such as improved diet and exercise are also highly recommended to slow progression of symptoms. Exercise can be anything from aerobic to yoga. A diet high in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids is beneficial for those with Parkinson’s disease. Research also shows that caffeinated substances such as coffee or tea may reduce the possibility of developing Parkinson’s. Keep in mind that this not only helps the direct symptoms of Parkinson’s but also the secondary ones. For example, exercise and healthy diets help to lower depression and improve balance. Other recommendations are massages, acupuncture, meditation and music therapy. In extreme cases, surgery may be recommended.
When our loved ones suffer, we tend to suffer along with them- all the while feeling helpless. There are a few simple things one can do to make this transition easier. One of the main causes of mental health issues that arise from illnesses like these is the feeling of helplessness and loss of independence. It would help if the individual is made to feel like he/she can do things on their own. Examples of this are simple things such as avoid shirts with buttons so they can still dress themselves, purchase electronic toothbrushes or cut their food into smaller bites. Pay attention to what is particularly hard for them to do and come up with easier solutions.
Do activities outside as research shows that vitamin D may slow down the progression of the disease.

If you feel that you may be showing early signs of Parkinson’s, please visit your nearest health centre and share your concerns.
If you are suffering from Parkinson’s, think about starting a support group. Do you know anyone else that is suffering from Parkinson’s? Find comfort, support and education in each other.

If inpatient treatment is needed, there are options available within our community. These centres ease the stress of both the patient and family members.
Mercy Hospital Resident Care. This means, the patient lives and is taken care of by people within the centre, who are specially trained in these areas.
Address: Lot 3 Pere Street Kitty, Georgetown
Contact: 227-1100, 225-3185

Demerara Paradise Inc. Nursing Home & Medical Facility who provide direct nursing care, CCTV Camera Supervised Back Office Care, physicians, therapists, social workers and nutritionist visits.
Address: 1 C Le Ressouvenir East Coast Demerara
Contact: 220-2677, 220-2672.
Thank you for reading and please send in any topics to caitlinvieira@gmail.com. Also please remember when you can come see me.
Georgetown Public Hospital: Monday- Friday – 8am- 12pm
Woodlands Hospital: Outpatient Department
Drug and Alcohol group meetings – Mondays 4:00pm
Good mental health group meetings- Wednesdays 4:00pm
Suicide Prevention Helpline Numbers: 223-0001, 223-0009, 623-4444, 600-7896
Say Yes to Life and No to Drugs! Always!