Did you know that April is Parkinson's Awareness Month?
Do you or a loved one suffer from the effects of Parkinson's disease?
Are you looking for more information about the prognosis and outcome of this disease?
Join us below for our most recent blog post where Dr. Jeff Pottenger, PT, DPT, our amazing physical therapist
here at FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers South San Antonio, unpacks the various components of
Parkinson's, as well as the outcomes and treatment options available.
Dr. Jeff Pottenger, PT, DPT
Beyond the statistics of Parkinson’s disease
By Jeff Pottenger, PT, DPT
Have you heard of Parkinson’s disease? You may have heard of it as Parkinson’s or even Parkinson’s syndrome. About 1% of adults over the age of 60 in the United States have Parkinson’s.(1) An odd thing about such a statistic is that it can allow us to think that Parkinson’s is not much of a problem. It sounds like a mostly old-people disease, and it is not overly common. Yet, the Parkinson’s Foundation reports that about one-million people have the disease here in the United States and between 5 to 10 percent of them are under the age of 40.(2) Parkinson’s is a big problem. It is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease behind only Alzheimer’s disease.(3)
So, what is a neurodegenerative disease? Neurodegenerative means that the disease causes the brain to degenerate. In the case of Parkinson’s, nerve cells in an area of the brain called the substantia nigra gradually die out. This causes muscle coordination problems. As more and more of the cells die, the coordination problems get worse. The list of symptoms that arise from this disease includes slow muscle movements, muscle stiffness that can be described as the muscles being “frozen,” poor swallowing capability, loss of balance, development of a severely slouched posture, slow sound volume when talking, the face can lose its expressiveness (called a Parkinson’s mask), and there can be loss of mental capabilities.
----"It is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disease behind only Alzheimer’s disease.(3)"----
Does Parkinson’s kill? According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, the answer is typically no.(2) The usual cause of death is a complication associated with the disease. Pneumonia and injuries from a fall due to poor muscle coordination are frequent causes of death. The expected lifetime after the onset of Parkinson’s is between 10 to 20 years. This sounds like a long time. Again, however, statistics can be deceiving. Consider for example that many people develop Parkinson’s about the time they are becoming grandparents. That is supposed to be a time of great sharing and loving with the grandchildren. Unfortunately, the disease and its complications, especially if not properly managed, can significantly diminish the quality of those years. If you or a loved one has the disease, that 10-to-20-year time will seem very short. Consider also, Parkinson’s appears at about the same time that many people reach the height of their working career or are getting ready to enjoy retirement. The disease can be economically, socially, and emotionally very disruptive.
----"The disease can be economically, socially, and emotionally very disruptive."----
Parkinson’s is definitely a disease to be avoided. However, there is no known cause, prevention, or cure. In other words, we do not know how to avoid it, and once we get it, we cannot cure it. The good news is that Parkinson’s can generally be managed with medication, lifestyle modifications, exercise, and sometimes surgery. The earlier this management is started the better.
So, what can you do now, if you suspect that you have the disease? See your primary care physician soon.
What should you do if you have no indications of having the disease, especially when we do not even know the cause? First, roll into your forties, fifties, and sixties in the best physical shape possible. That includes having the best posture, strength, flexibility, and endurance possible. Being physically fit will have great benefits even if Parkinson’s does not make an appearance. A physical therapist can give you the professional guidance that you need regarding your fitness [Check out Fyzical’s Body-Q]. Second, do not avoid periodic physicals by your primary care doctor. Early detection of problems gives you the best management options. Finally, number three, support the Parkinson’s research efforts of organizations such as the Parkinson’s Foundation or the American Parkinson Disease Association.(2,4) Knowledge is power, and we need to have more power in the management of Parkinson’s.
- Pharmacology in Rehabilitation, 4th Charles D Ciccone,
- Parkinson.org
- CDC.gov
- apdaparkinson.org