Bryan Betty: Parkinson's

Parkinson's is one of the most common neurological conditions for those over the age of 60 - Michael J Fox very famously has early onset Parkinson's, and is now a champion for awareness of the disease.     So what is Parkinson's?   A degenerative disease of the nervous system causing movement problems.   Affects 1:100 over the age of 60. Occasionally it’s early onset like with Michael J Fox.  Nerve cells in the brain break down, we lose a chemical messenger called dopamine.  There’s no simple test to diagnose, diagnosis comes from symptoms.       How do you recognise it?   It’s often very slow to develop and initially can be difficult to diagnose.   Everyone’s journey with Parkinson's is different.   It’s common to notice tremors at rest, often on one side. You may notice it gets better when moving or doing something – it can fluctuate.  Over time: Slow movements become difficult, stiff muscles, loss of balance.   Can be associated with depression, anxiety, poor sleep, and lack of motivation.   Loss of smell, difficulty with speech, fatigue, cramping muscles.       What causes it?   We don’t know the cause.   However, risk factors include age, family history, and it’s more common in men.  Other factors: Traumatic brain injuries, exposure to toxins, certain pesticides, and some illegal drugs.       Can we treat it?   It can’t be cured and does tend to be progressive.   However, there are a range of medications that can help: medication that either replaces dopamine, or stops the breakdown of dopamine in brain can alleviate symptoms.   Lifestyle:  exercise to improve muscle strength, preventing falls; not rushing, use of walking aids, massage.   Occupational therapists to teach how to help with daily activities   Support organisations such as Parkinson's New Zealand.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.