Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a condition that affects the brain and causes the loss of cells that produce dopamine, which helps control movement and mood. The cause remains largely unknown, but scientists believe it is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. While there is no cure – at least not yet – there are steps you can take to slow down the progression of the disease.
Markos Poulopoulos, MD of Northern Light Neurology at Eastern Maine Medical Center explains that symptoms can vary greatly between individuals, and they aren’t just physical.
Physical signs to watch out for include tremors, slowness of movement, limb stiffness, and balance problems. Other signs can include depression, anxiety, sleep disorders, constipation, and cognitive impairments.
If you or a loved one is diagnosed with PD, it can be scary, but you shouldn’t panic, according to Dr. Poulopoulos.
“This is not a fatal disease, and you can still have a long life. Progression can be very slow, especially if you exercise, have an active lifestyle, and maintain a good diet. Of all the neuro degenerative diseases you could get, this is a better one to have. Huge milestones are also happening in dopamine research, which is promising for the future.”
He recommends that PD patients and their families take advantage of the many resources that are available to learn all the can about the disease to help relieve some of the anxiety of a new diagnosis.
“Treatment may include things that you do yourself, such as exercise, or things that you do with oversight, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. It may also include medications specific to your needs, such as medications aimed at improving your movement, and others aimed at improving non-movement symptoms,” he says.
A team of rehabilitation therapists from Northern Light Maine Coast and Blue Hill Hospitals shared how therapy can help PD patients.
Speech therapy is essential for managing, improving, and maintaining clarity of speech, speaking volume, swallowing safety, and memory/cognitive skills, according to Amy Kennedy, CCC-SLP, a speech language pathologist.
According to Emelia Palmer, PT, physical therapy helps patients stay independent longer. They also help prevent injury by enhancing balance and reducing fall risk, support posture to minimize stooping forward, and address freezing episodes.
Occupational therapy addresses any challenges a patient may have with self-care, valued daily activities, and hobbies. They can help patients to better understand adaptive equipment and strategies to apply to their unique challenges, according to occupational therapist Heather Jellison, OTR/L.
The trio agree that a team approach is vitally important in order to support a person with Parkinson's by capitalizing on existing strengths and shoring up areas of challenge early.
If you believe you or a loved one may have Parkinson’s disease, you should make an appointment to see your primary care provider.