Parkinson’s Disease is a disorder of the central nervous system, and affects nearly 1 million Indians every year. It is a disease that is marked with age, and can be treated but not cured. Parkinson’s patients gradually lose motor skills that hamper movement. Moreover, PARKINSON’S DISEASE patients experience lack of dopamine secretion that leads to other issues.
Despite being a disease that is common and prevalent amongst many elderly, there are several misconceptions and misinformation out there with regards to Parkinson’s Disease. This blog is going to focus on a few facts about Parkinson’s Disease, and will also address the most common misconceptions.
Top 5 Facts To Know About Parkinson’s Disease:
Fact 1: Parkinson’s Disease Doesn’t Mean The End Of One’s Life
Compared to popular belief, people suffering from Parkinson’s Disease actually can continue going about their normal life. There is no one particular symptom that affects all patients, hence at the onset of the disease, one can go about their normal lifestyle. Furthermore, basic and simple alterations in one’s day to day life, can make a huge impact; for example- medication, therapy, exercise and diet, proper rest can all help manage the disease.
Fact 2: No Two Patients Will Have The Same Symptoms
It has been seen that Parkinson’s is a growing disease amongst the aged in India, and around the world, but no two patients experience the same symptoms. At the onset, the disease is pretty diverse, and how it impacts one person, it may not affect the other. That’s why it’s a little tricky to understand the disease.
Fact 3: Parkinson’s Disease Can Be Treated But Not Cured
An interesting fact about Parkinson’s is that researchers and doctors still are finding the exact reason for the cause of the disease; hence the cause is largely unknown. It is not a disease that is hereditarily passed on, nor can it be spread through touch. It is commonly assumed that environmental and genetic factors play a key role as far as understanding the cause of Parkinson’s disease is concerned.
However, there are several treatments available that can help a Parkinson’s disease patient. There is medication, therapy and surgical options available. All these options help prolong the impacts of Parkinson’s on the patient’s body.
Fact 4: Parkinson’s Disease Causes Motor And Non-Motor Hindrance To The Body
It is commonly assumed that Parkinson’s affects the motor skills of the patient, but early signs and symptoms of the disease usually affects non-motor skills of an individual, such as sense of smell, cognitive changes, mood related disorders, etc. Parkinson’s disease can also affect sexual drive, cause hallucinations and sleep related issues.
Fact 5: Exercise And Diet Play a Major Role in Improving Parkinson’s Disease
While Parkinson’s disease isn’t curable, the best treatment option is one that includes a healthy balanced diet, and encourages the individual to exercise. These two aspects play a key role in treatment as diet and exercise both help secrete good hormones, increase blood flow, increase brain activity and helps strengthen the body.
After discussing and having a brief look at a few facts about Parkinson’s, it is also a good idea to debunk a few myths. Since Parkinson’s disease still isn’t widely understood, these are a few common myths.
Top 5 Myths To Know About Parkinson’s Disease:
Myth 1: Parkinson’s Disease Symptoms Suddenly Flare Up
This is completely false; in fact every individual’s symptoms are different and unique and surface onto the individual gradually and slowly. They can remain underlying for a long duration, and progressively surface. However change in medication, environment, and sleep pattern can lead to sudden “flare up” in symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. Thus, it is important for a Parkinson’s patient to maintain a balanced and healthy lifestyle.
Myth 2: Parkinson’s Only Affects Motor Skills
False! Parkinson’s disease goes way beyond causing hindrances to one’s motor skills. It causes behavioral and mood changes, changes in Sexual drive, can induce hallucinations, and can lead to lack of clarity with regards to one’s cognitive skills.
Myth 3: Treatment Always Leads Towards The Best
While Effects of Parkinson’s can be controlled and prolonged with proper treatment, its symptoms can fluctuate and they don’t necessarily have to be visible. Treatment of Parkinson’s is a journey that goes through ups and downs; any patient requires a good support system while dealing with Parkinson’s disease.
Myth 4: People with Parkinson’s disease Always Look “Glum”
It is often thought that a Parkinson’s disease patient looks a certain way; they look angry, depressed, mad, etc. however this isn’t completely true. While Parkinson’s Disease can have a certain degree on one’s mood and behavior, the main cause of lack of facial expressions is due to “Facial Masking” i.e.; reduced facial expression due to muscle stiffening which leads to slower expression changes.
Myth 5: Parkinson’s Is Contagious And All Those Who Have Parkinson’s Disease Have Tremors
Parkinson’s is a neurological disorder that affects the central nervous system of the body, mainly impacting the brain. It is not contagious and can’t be passed from one person to another.
While tremors are a widely recognized symptom of Parkinson’s disease, it is not necessary to occur in every patient. Parkinson’s may manifest itself through a variety of other symptoms; some more apparent than others.
This concludes a list of Five Common Facts and Myths about Parkinson’s Disease in India. Dealing with Parkinson’s Disease is much easier when you follow the adequate diet and health tips. Apart from the medication and therapies, personal care helps treat the symptoms and have a better lifestyle.
Disclaimer:
The above statements are for informational purposes only. Please take advice of a trained medical professional before acting on any of the above statements.
