There is a new effort in the US to provide more specialized care for patients who suffer from Parkinson’s disease, as well as related illnesses that impair body control and movement.
Several advocacy groups stated this month that many doctors are not well trained to treat PD, but studies show that only about 50% of patients even try to see a specialist for Parkinson’s.
Research indicates that PD patients benefit the most if they are being cared for by a neurologist who has training in movement disorders. Also very helpful are teams of mental health professionals and physical therapists who are able to help with the physical and emotional problems of the disease.
Around the globe, the number of PD patients is expected to soar by 2030. The population is aging and that accounts for much of the rise. However, more people are being diagnosed at a younger age, and the disease often is inherited. Currently, PD affects about 1.5 million Americans.
Some patients are able to opt for new surgical procedures that provide deep stimulation to the brain. In these patients, abnormal movements can be regulated to some degree with electrical impulses from electrodes placed in the brain. Also, new drugs are becoming available that is making treatment of PD easier. Still, the cheapest and most accessible treatments for the disease are not always stressed by doctors. Various forms of exercise, such as dance, have been shown to lead to major improvements of some PD symptoms. In some cases, the progression of the disease can even be slowed.
One PD patient named Beth Hochstein in NY was a podiatrist until she was diagnosed with PD at age 36. She had to give up her career because the side effects from drugs to control her hand movements. She consulted with a movement disorder specialist, who said that the best solution to reduce symptoms was exercise.
So, she started to dance, including hip hop and Zumba classes. She has found that dancing really helps to reduce tremors and other symptoms.
But few PD patients know that movement disorder specialists even exist. Only 27% of current PD patients in the US are seeing such specialists. Most doctors do not have training in movement disorders and are not able to provide patients with the help they need.
If you or a loved one has PD, be sure to consult with a movement disorder specialist in your area to learn how to keep symptoms under control naturally.
Dressing Stick and Shoehorn
And if you need help with some of the daily tasks of living, we have the products to help you. For dressing, consider our Norco Molded Sock Aid with Two Handles, or our Dressing Stick and Shoehorn. These dressing aids for PD will make your daily dressing much easier.