Diagnosed with the condition
Parkinson’s affects huge amounts of people throughout the UK and not only the person who has been diagnosed with the condition but their families and friends too.
Parkinson’s is a neurological disease which affects a range of systems in the body. Mental and physical aspects of the body are most affected. Typical signs that stand out the most with this condition are the physical tremor, shuffling gait, stooped posture. Other symptoms of Parkinson’s are bladder control, eye problems, speech and communication problems, pain and fatigue; however the intellect does not appear to be impaired. This condition is very much an individual basis so what may affect one person may not affect another and with this broad spectrum of symptoms it may be difficult to pin point a diagnosis. However picking up the signs of Parkinson’s as early as possible will aid the overall help that person receives and gives them more options to implement strategies to guide them through the changes their body and mind will go through.
The mind-set of a control addict
The average age of onset for this condition is around the 40 to 60 mark, some new age thinkers believe that Parkinson’s is brought on by having the mind-set of a control addict someone with serve OCD Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as the body is losing control of its physical abilities.
More medical theories suggest that it can be brought on from trauma, tumours, drugs and heavy metal poising.
Sheila 55yr old women working as a school receptionist has been working in the school for over 20 years and has an incredible support network around her.
As she has been in the role for many years the duties required are manageable. Sheila was able to work for many years with her progressive Parkinson’s. As the school was close by where she lived Sheila was able to walk to work.
Which was of great benefit as driving may well have been too difficult with Sheila’s ever progressing tremor. And insurance policies would not insure a person suffering Parkinson’s for obvious reasons.
Toby a 60yr man almost at retirement age become too ill and unfortunately did not have the same support network and help as Shelia. He had no close family to help him no social groups. His Parkinson’s became too much to cope with and got put into care.
Care homes are extremely good at holding activities like signing groups, gardening classes and many more activities to aid clients in their stay. Trying to keep them active physically a mentally. Toby found he had the support and felt a lot more at ease with people around him who firstly understood his disease and that could aid in appropriate manners.
Neurological diseases
The main enjoyment Toby got every other week was a visit from a physio and a complementary health therapist that aimed at relaxing the mind and body.
Many neurological diseases that affect people in the UK like Parkinson’s and Dementia are far from being cured.
However, medical research is getting funded much more into finding ways to slow down the process or ideally prevent the onset of these conditions. Charities across the board raise money to help fund these research projects. Unfortunately there has not been a breakthrough in finding a cure for such conditions. However, certain drugs have been approved in helping the condition. Parkinson’s disease affects the dopamine levels in the body this is administered in comprehensive doses to patients with Parkinson’s.
Health therapies
Whilst the race is on to gather new ideas and research on what can cure Parkinson’s, there are many day to day life wellbeing things people with Parkinson’s can do. For example diet, exercise regimes and complementary health therapies can be of benefit. Exercise is great for keeping the body flexible, keeping those joints oiled to slow down the rigidly.
Food is extremelty important that old phrase ‘we are what we eat’ still rings true today and as a nation we should take that on board and eat a well-balanced diet covering all the nutrient groups and little bit of you fancy doesn’t harm, keeping that mind happy.
There has not been enough research into complementary health therapies to get them approved and administered as part of a patient’s health care plan. However, there has been incredible feedback from patient s in regards to complementary therapies so if it works for them it must be doing something good. A happy positive mind will aid any ill health.