Parkinson's Disease:

Coping with Parkinson's: You're Not Alone

Parkinson's Disease is one of the most common disorders of the brain affecting elderly people. As many as one million Americans suffer from Parkinson's Disease. The symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease get progressively worse over time, and everyday activities such as walking and talking can become very difficult for patients with the disease. The good news is that most people have many years of productive living even after they are diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Help is available through medication, therapy, exercise, and support groups.

What causes Parkinson’s Disease?

Parkinson's disease is caused by deterioration of the nerve cells of the part of the brain that controls movement of muscles. Dopamine, a substance used by cells in the body to transmit impulses, is normally produced in this area of the brain. Deterioration of this area of the brain reduces the amount of dopamine available to the body. 

Advancing age is the main risk factor for Parkinson’s, and the disease is more common in men than women. People with unusual exposure to herbicides and pesticides may also be more likely to develop the disease.

What are the symptoms and complications of Parkinson’s Disease?

One of the early symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease is that the patient’s hand doesn’t swing when he or she walks. Many patients experience shaking or tremors in their fingers, hands, arms, feet, or lips. Patients often experience stiffness in their arms, legs, and neck. Also, many people with Parkinson’s move very slowly, and may have difficulty with walking, balance and coordination. Patients report that their muscles “freeze up” … like the muscles in their hands may “freeze” when they go to pick up their keys.

The Parkinson’s patient may notice that it takes longer to eat, take a shower, or complete other routine activities. Mental processes slow down. The person may have difficulty with memory and concentration. Patients seem to mumble their words and it becomes hard to hear what they are saying –- especially if their spouse is elderly and already has difficulty with hearing. Patients must make a conscious effort to speak loud enough for people to hear what they’re saying.

In some cases, patients with Parkinson’s may become depressed. Some develop dementia, a condition which may involve memory loss and personality changes.

Getting Help

It is important for patients and family members to report all symptoms to their physician. If Parkinson’s Disease is suspected, a family physician may refer the patient to a neurologist, a doctor who specializes in treating diseases of the brain and nervous system. Since some symptoms of Parkinson’s are similar to those of other diseases, it may be difficult to diagnose. Once a diagnosis of Parkinson’s is made, the physician may recommend physical therapy, exercise, a healthy diet, medications, and / or surgery, to fight the progression of the disease.

Medications, such as the combination of Levodopa with Carbidopa, can help manage problems for certain patients with Parkinson’s. Patients should consult with their doctor about side effects of medications, as well as possible interactions with other medicines, food and alcohol.

For some patients, surgery may be an option. During a procedure called deep brain stimulation, a brain stimulator -- similar to a heart pacemaker -- is implanted in a certain area of the brain.  In certain patients, this may control symptoms well enough that medications can be reduced.

Speech therapy can help patients learn how to project their voice and speak louder. The Lee Silverman technique is a special method of speech therapy that has been very helpful to Parkinson's patients. Therapy may also include mental exercises to help the patient focus and concentrate. One local Parkinson’s Disease patient, Bill Frink of Harlingen, said that therapy has helped him to ignore some mental sensations, like if he feels dizzy while walking.

“I have to disregard the feeling about being dizzy, and concentrate so I can keep walking straight forward down the sidewalk … I have to consciously tell myself, ‘OK, I’m going to put this foot forward, and then the other foot,’ one step at a time,” Mr. Frink said.

You Aren’t Alone

Patients with Parkinson’s Disease and their family members can benefit from free support groups such as the Parkinson’s Support Group for the Rio Grande Valley. The support group holds free meetings which are open to all patients, family, and others impacted by Parkinson's Disease. Coordinators for the support group are Mr. Frink, who has been battling Parkinson’s for 12 years, and his wife Pauline.

“This support group has helped a lot of people,” Mrs. Frink said. “We have exercises for the patients, pamphlets and other educational materials, and we give the patients a chance to share their experiences with Parkinson’s Disease.”

The support group meets the third Tuesday of the month (during eight months of the year) at 2:30 p.m. at Golden Palms Retirement and Health Center, 2101 Treasure Hills Blvd. across the street from Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen. For more information, call the Frinks at (956) 421-3360.

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