Parkinson's causes disturbances to the primary motor function and is recognized by tremors of the hands, arms, legs, jaw and face. Persons with Parkinson's may also exhibit slowness of movement, rigidity or stiffness in their limbs and/or trunk. They may also have impaired balance and coordination as well as postural instability. These are all outside symptoms and easy to recognize. However, there are may non-movement based symptoms that typically occur prior to the onset of the motor system dysfunction. These changes are called non-motor symptoms and include such things as fatigue, trouble sleeping and constipation. There may also be some mild cognitive dysfunction along with depression, pain, impulsive behaviors and soft speech.
The cause is unknown, although exposure to environmental toxins like pesticides appears to have a link to contracting Parkinson's later in life, while it appears to be genetic when contracted prior to age 50. A study performed by researchers at the Department of Neurology, Emory University showed that Nigral neurons in rotenone-treated rats accumulate fibrillar cytoplasmic inclusions that contain ubiquitin and α-synuclein. These results indicate that chronic exposure to a common pesticide can reproduce the anatomical, neurochemical, behavioral and neuropathological features of PD (Betarbet, Sherer, MacKenzie, Garcia-Osuna, Panov and Greenamyre 2000).
In terms of cost, medications for a Parkinson's patient can average more than $2,500 and any therapeutic surgery may cost upwards of $100, 000 or more. According to the Parkinson's Disease Foundation, the estimated costs of Parkinson's is nearly $25 billion dollars. This figure takes into consideration loss of income, social security and medicare/medicade payments in addition to the treatment costs.
Parkinson's affects more men than women. Parkinson's disease affects people from all walks of life, from my grandfather to Michael J. Fox and Muhhammed Ali. There is no known cure; however, there are treatment options like surgery and medications to help manage the symptoms. Treatments often include such modalities as speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
Since altered abilities for movement is a key dysfunction in Parkinson's disease, treating the patient using methods that can help them focus on how they move may help them gain some control over their bodies as well as help them to regain confidence in themselves.
Groups like the Brooklyn Parkinson Group and the Mark Morris Dance Group have created classes for Parkinson's patients as a means to help them focus mind, body and emotion on movement. This video is just one example of the many found on YouTube under dance for Parkinson's.
There is even a specific exercise method called the John Argue Method™ – Parkinson's Disease & the Art of Moving which comes in a book with DVD. It consists of movement and voice exercises that have been adapted from such traditional programs as Yoga and Tai Chi. The creator, John Argue suggests that the exercises be thought of as an art form versus calisthenics.
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation's Creativity and Parkinson's Project hosts a gallery of artwork created by persons with Parkinson's on their website. On this page are patients' stories and an annual calendar available for purchase.
They also sponsored the Parkinson's Quilt Project which can be rented for exhibition as a means to create Parkinson's awareness. The quilt was displayed for the first time at the World Parkinson's Congress in September 2010.
The 4th World Parkinson Congress will meet in Portland, Oregon in 2016. Their website has 6 educational sessions of the WPC Scientific Updates available for free. http://www.worldpdcoalition.org
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research has an excellent blog called "Foxfeed Blog". Zoe Butchen was featured highlighting her campaign to raise funds and awareness of the disease. She is using social media to take the campaign viral, much like the ALS ice bucket challenge. Check it out: http://danceshakedonate.com.
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| https://www.michaeljfox.org/foundation/news-detail.php?why-shaking-it-for-parkinson |
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| Parkinsonsjourney.com |
http://www.PDF.org
https://www.michaeljfox.org
http://danceforparkinsons.org
Chronic systemic pesticide exposure reproduces features of Parkinson’s disease. Ranjita Betarbet, Todd B. Sherer, Gillian MacKenzie, Monica Garcia-Osuna, Alexander V. Panov and J. Timothy Greenamyre. Nature Neuroscience. Volume 3 no 12. December 2000. Retrieved January 24, 2015 from http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v3/n12/abs/nn1200_1301.html.
Linda,
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed this post and the website directives you gave us. This is a debilitating disease and I have known those who have had it. It is difficult to imagine the loss of control. Thanks for sharing this with you and for giving us more of an awareness of this disease.
Laura