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.