LIVING WITH PARKINSON’S DISEASE

ActiveBody

EDITED BY KATE MAXIM

Living with Parkinson’s

Katherine Fletcher, Research Communications Manager at Parkinson’s UK gives us the full facts about this condition

PARKINSON’S IS THE fastest growing neurological condition in the world and currently there is no cure. Parkinson’s UK estimates that there are approximately 145,000 people living with the condition in the UK, and that 1 in 37 people alive today will be diagnosed with Parkinson’s in their lifetime lthough it predominantly affects older people younger people can get it too.

It develops when brain cells that are responsible for producing a vital chemical called dopamine die over time. The brain uses dopamine to send messages to help control and coordinate movement. With the loss of these cells, the brain can’t make enough dopamine, causing symptoms of Parkinson’s to appear.

The three main symptoms of Parkinson’s - tremor, slowness of movement and stiffness - may be familiar to some and these are all common early signs of the condition. However, there are actually more than 40 symptoms that have been associated with the condition, which affects everyone differently esser nown symptoms include anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep problems, memory issues, pain and hallucinations ow ar inson’s affects someone can change from day to day, even from hour to hour.

We don’t yet know exactly why people get Parkinson’s, but researchers think it’s a combination of age, genetic and environmental factors esearchers are wor ing hard to find ways to protect precious dopamine-producing cells, which could lead to better treatments and a cure for the condition.

Parkinson’s tends to develop gradually and it can be a number of months, or even years before symptoms arise. If you are concerned that you, or someone you know, may have Parkinson’s, the best thing to do is to talk to a GP or healthcare professional, as they can refer you to a specialist if your symptoms need further investigation. While there is no cure there are different treatments therapies and support available to help manage the condition.

Medication is the main way in which people with Parkinson’s can help manage their symptoms, alongside therapies such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and occupational therapy.

For many people with Parkinson’s, exercise can also be as important as medication for helping to manage the condition. We know that 2.5 hours of exercise a week can slow the progression of symptoms. The important thing to remember is that there is no one-si e-fits-all approach, so individuals should explore what kind of physical activity works best for them.

If medication and therapies no longer help to control symptoms, some people with Parkinson’s may be suitable for deep brain stimulation (DBS) - the main type of surgery used in the management of ar inson’s n S very fine wires are carefully inserted into the brain to electrically stimulate particular groups of brain cells involved in controlling movement to adjust their activity and help to control symptoms his can be turned on and off through the use of a pacemaker-like device. Although DBS does not stop Parkinson’s from progressing it can be effective at improving motor symptoms li e tremor and involuntary movements. ar inson’s is here for everyone affected by ar inson’s and our ultimate goal is to find a cure o achieve this we invest in promising research, increasing our understanding of the cause of the condition and accelerating the development and testing of new treatments.

The charity also provides vital services to help people get the information and support they need when they need it iving with Parkinson’s can feel overwhelming, but support like our online community and local groups are a great way to connect with others living with the condition, family members, friends and carers.

For information and support, visit www.parkinsons.org.uk. You can also call Parkinson’s UK’s free, confidential helpline: 0808 800 0303.

YARWELL MILL

COUNTRY PARK • CAMBRIDGESHIRE

PART EXCHANGE YOUR CURRENT PROPERTY FOR 100% MARKET VALUE

LAKESIDE VIEWS

THE RETIREMENT DREAM A REALITY

Park Homes from £179,995*

MOORINGS AVAILABLE

Luxuriously furnished Residential Park Homes No Stamp Duty! No Estate Agent fees!

Yarwell Mill Country Park is a stunning NEW over 55’s residential development, located in the picturesque village of Yarwell, besides the River Nene. Why not enjoy your golden years by downsizing to a Park Home, releasing equity, reducing costs and outgoings, so you can live the retirement dream here at Yarwell Mill.

Your home £260,000 New park home £179,995 Cashback £80,005

On completion of part exchange.

● Over 55’s Retired and Semi-Retired Park Community ● Overlooking The River Nene ● Pet Friendly ● Landscaped Gardens ● 2 Parking Spaces ● 5 Acre Fishing Lake on Site ● Moorings (Subject to availability) ● Secure Motorhome and Caravan Storage (Subject to availability) ● 24hr Security 01733 736730 for all sales enquiries*

Mill Road, Yarwell, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire PE8 6PS sales@yarwellmill.co.uk www.yarwellmill.co.uk yarwellmillcountrypark

PERFECT FOR FISHING ALL YEAR ROUND

Shake, rattle and roll

A diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease can be a shattering moment. But physiotherapists are here to help. Sarah Babbs explains

PARKINSON’S DISEASE (PD) is a progressive neurological condition caused by a loss of nerve cells in the part of the brain which secretes dopamine. When dopamine levels decrease this causes an alteration to how movement happens. This can present as a tremor at rest, nown as pill rolling di culties initiating movement and a slowness in movements such as walking or rising from a chair.

Blinking, smiling or arm swinging when walking, unconscious activities in most people, often lessen. Muscle rigidity is common and can limit the range of movement in the limbs and occasionally cause pain.

There are approximately 140,000 people with PD in the UK, most of whom are over Men are more li ely to be affected and there appears to be a genetic factor in some cases.

Studies show that people with PD can be 30% less active than their healthy contemporaries by the time a diagnosis is made. This can often be because of loss of confidence as well as di culties with movement sufferers often have low mood and poor sleep which can contribute to a slowing of the pace of life.

It used to be fairly common for people with

PD to be told to rest to manage their dopamine levels. This was completely wrong advice, and movement and exercise, we now know, help to slow the disease as well as help manage stress and anxiety associated with the condition. Evidence suggests that increasing exercise to 2.5 hours a week can slow the progression of symptoms. This exercise can range from dancing to going to the gym and weight training, Pilates to chair based activities.

Working with a physiotherapist would begin with listening to how the patient is quite a high level of movement rigidity, dancing beautifully to music.

There is wonderful work done by the Dance for PD® group and these techniques have been taken on by the English National Ballet amongst others. The classes begin with seated exercise and progress to standing and moving around the room. I highly recommend accessing these. You can attend in person or use their online facilities.

Another superb set up, started in Australia and available in many places in the UK, is PD Warriors. This programme has four pillars - exercise, education, community and behaviour change. Understanding that empowering oneself with support from others ‘when you are struggling and to celebrate your wins on the other days’ is hugely powerful.

Boxing - not an obvious choice - but the rhythm of movement can have a very transformational and sometimes long-lasting effect o ing particularly helps with strength, coordination, better walking and posture through improved core strength, as well as improved balance and agility. All of these help improve confidence too so are worth giving it a go.

Although Parkinson’s Disease can feel like a sentence at diagnosis, there really are many options to support and make that journey a very much better one for everyone.

currently affected ne can never assume what people are thinking and often people have fears which they may find di cult to share. Then comes assessment of movement, balance fle ibility strength and endurance Making sure there is good understanding of the condition and its management is the first part of any physiotherapy session as education is always key. As the disease progresses physiotherapists will help develop strategies to compensate for loss of function cues, and improve attention span. hysiotherapy-led e ercise can offset Parkinsonian symptoms, minimising deterioration of strength, endurance, fle ibility and balance reating a programme that suits the person is vital. Using walking poles can improve someone’s balance, rhythm and stride on their daily wal We may find strategies to help around the golf course. thers prefer to wor in a class setting li e ilates or ai hi Warming up with a dance before the class, may be the best way to enjoy it. I know of people who enjoy the intensity of a spinning class finding as the class progresses, movement improves.

Some especially those with stiffer muscles may benefit from a particular stretching exercise done at home or as part of a yoga class improving pain and general movement.

Music is a wonderful companion to those with PD. It is not fully understood why but music can be incredibly freeing. There are many videos on social media of people with To contact Sarah ring 07780 900201