What is Parkinson disease?
Parkinson disease is a progressive disorder of the central nervous system disturbing the production of a chemical in the brain that has important role in behavior, thinking, and purposeful movement that is motility.
What is the Symptoms of Parkinson disease?
Parkinson disease symptoms and signs may vary from person to other. Early signs may be mild and may go unnoticed. Symptoms often begin on one side of your body and usually remain worse on that side, even after symptoms begin to affect both sides. It may include:
- Slowed movement (bradykinesia): Over time, Parkinson disease may reduce your ability to move and slow your movement, making simple tasks difficult and time-consuming. Your steps may become shorter when you walk, or you may find it difficult to get out of a chair. Also, you may drag your feet as you try to walk, making it difficult to move.
- Rigid muscles: Muscle stiffness may occur in any part of your body. The stiff muscles can limit your range of motion and cause you pain.
- Impaired posture and balance: Your posture may become stooped, or you may have balance problems because of Parkinson disease.
- Loss of automatic movements: In Parkinson disease, you may have a decreased ability to perform unconscious movements, including blinking, smiling or swinging your arms when you walk.
- Speech changes: You may have speech problems because of Parkinson disease. You may speak softly, quickly, slur or hesitate before talking. Your speech may be more of a monotone rather than with the usual inflections.
- Writing changes: It may become hard to write, and your writing may appear small.
What are the Risk factors of Parkinson disease?
Risk factors for Parkinson disease include:
- Age: Young adults rarely experience Parkinson. It ordinarily begins in middle or late life, and the risk increases with age. People usually develop the disease around age 60 or older.
- Heredity: Having a close relative with Parkinson increases the chance that you will develop the disease. However, your risks are still small unless you have many relatives in your family with Parkinson's disease.
- Gender: Men are more likely to develop Parkinson than are women.
- Exposure to toxins: Ongoing exposure to herbicides and pesticides may put you at a slightly increased risk of Parkinson's disease.
How is Parkinson diagnosed?
No specific test exists to diagnose Parkinson disease. Your neurologist will diagnose the disease based on your medical history, a review of your signs and symptoms, and a neurological and physical examination.
Blood test: Your doctor may order blood tests, to rule out other conditions that may be causing your symptoms.
Imaging tests: such as MRI, ultrasound of the brain, SPECT and PET scans may also be used to help rule out other disorders.
What is the treatment of Parkinson?
Parkinson disease can’t be cured, but medications can help control your symptoms, often dramatically. In some later cases, surgery may be advised.
Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, especially ongoing aerobic exercise. In some cases, physical therapy that focuses on balance and stretching also is important. A speech-language pathologist may help improve your speech problems.
Lifestyle changes to treat Parkinson:
Exercising:
Here are some tips to keep in mind
- Always warm-up before beginning your exercise routine and cool down at the end.
- If you plan to workout for 30 minutes, start with 10-minute sessions and work your way up.
- Exercise your facial muscles, jaw, and voice when possible: Sing or read aloud, exaggerating your lip movements. Make faces in the mirror. Chew food vigorously.
- Try water exercise, such as water aerobics or swimming laps. These are often easier on the joints and require less balance.
- Work out in a safe environment; avoid slippery floors, poor lighting, throw rugs, and other potential dangers.
- If you have difficulty balancing, exercise within reach of a grab bar or rail. If you have trouble standing or getting up, try exercising in bed rather than on the floor or an exercise mat.
- If at any time you feel sick or you begin to hurt, stop.
Diet:
- Eat a well-balanced, protein and nutrient-rich diet.
- Eat small frequent meals.
- Prefer mechanically soft or mashed food if you have difficulties in chewing or swallowing
- Take your time over meals, sit comfortably.
- Eat food containing calcium, magnesium, vitamin K, and vitamin D if not contraindicated
- If you are constipated, eat food rich in fiber such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole-grain and cereals.
- Drink 8-12 cups of water daily if not contraindicated.
- Consult your dietitian for further nutritional management
Does my Insurance Policy covers Parkinson disease treatment?
Yes. According to CCHI unified Policy terms and conditions, health insurance policies in Saudi Arabia the treatment and surgery of Parkinson.
Please Click Here to access the Unified CCHI Policy Wordings.