Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disease that is in the nervous system and effects movement in the body, 110,000 Canadians live with Parkinson’s. The nerve cells in the brain slowly break down or die; which then cause the chemical messaging in the brain to be lost. With the reduction of messaging in the brain leads to irregular brain activity creating movement problems and other body systems communication. Early symptoms show different in individuals and start off small as they develop as the disease progresses.
Risk factors can include:
• Environmental factors – exposure to pesticide, herbicides and some synthetic drugs
• Genetics – If a close family member has Parkinson’s, it increases your risk of developing it too.
• Age – the symptoms usually start to show around age 50 and older, but it can present in younger adults as well.
• Gender – Males are more likely than women to develop Parkinson’s.
Symptoms can include:
• Shaking – tremors are rhythmic shaking in the body, usually in the hands.
• Stiff Muscles – muscles can feel tight and movements can feel jerky.
• Balance and posture – you can become more off balance and posture can decrease.
• Emotional Changes – depression, irritability and anxiety can be more present with Parkinson’s, about fifty percent of people living with Parkinson’s have mental health struggles that go along with it.
• Sleeping troubles – falling asleep during the day, and waking up in the night, feeling tired as well as insomnia.
• Swallowing and chewing – may become more challenging as the muscle control in the mouth decreases and there can be an increase in saliva.
• Speech – with less muscle control in the mouth and throat, clarity of speech, volume can change.
• Clear thinking – language, memory and reasoning can be affected
• Bladder and constipation – the need to pee may increase and passing stool can be more challenging.
• Sense of smell and taste – your sense of smell and taste can decrease and could disappear.
• Blood pressure – blood pressure can drop suddenly leading to fainting and feeling dizzy.
• Fine motor skills – writing can become harder and other delicate muscle motions challenging
• Muscle pain – muscles can cramp and joints can feel stiff.
• Slower movement and less facial expression – as the signals from the brain become weaker.
As with most health conditions exercise, diet, general good health and medications help keep diseases like Parkinson’s in check. There is no cure for Parkinson’s but there are medications that can help to make life more manageable while living with it.
Talk to your doctor about how you are feeling and if any of the symptoms listed above are concerning.
Parkinson Canada is a good resource, and if are looking for support, they have a support line 1-888-664-1794 and their website is www.parkinson.ca
If you would like more information on the programs or services Whitevalley Community Resource Centre provides reach out at 250-547-8866.
