A concussion usually occurs after severe head trauma and this may be a possibility in the end stages of Parkinson’s disease when patients are more prone to falls. Depending on the extent of the head trauma, a concussion may vary in its presentation and is often ignored after an injury, although the full effect may only be realized a day or two after the trauma. In terms of Parkinson’s disease, there is greater difficulty in identifying a possible concussion since some of the Parkinson’s disease symptoms may blur or mask the signs of a concussion.
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What is Tremor?
Tremor is the involuntary or unintentional rhythmic movement of one or more parts of the body and it may involve the hands, arms, legs, face, head, trunk, or vocal cords. It may be caused by a number of factors such as neurological disorders due to various causes with Parkinson’s disease being one of them as well as certain drugs, alcohol abuse or withdrawal, mercury poisoning, hyperthyroidism, or liver failure. Certain types of tremors may be inherited and are seen to run in families, but for which no known cause can be found, and these are called essential tremors.
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As a care giver for a Parkinson’s patient, a thorough knowledge of first aid as well as specialist emergency care specifically for Parkinson’s disease is important to ensure the patient’s health and well being. Like with any patient, emergencies may arise and quick medical intervention is required on the scene before a medical doctor or emergency care workers arrive. With Parkinson’s patients, there has to be additional factors to consider due to the nature of the disease as well as other aspects like drug therapy in Parkinson’s disease.
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Bradykinesia is a Greek term meaning “slow movement” and was first coined by James Parkinson, after whom the disease has been named, as one of the cardinal features of Parkinson’s disease. However, it is now recognized that bradykinesia is not exclusive to Parkinson’s disease since it may be a manifestation of other neurological disorders or as a side effect of certain medications.
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Caring for a patient with Parkinson’s disease can be a difficult and stressful task for any caregiver, whether your are a loved one or a professional home attendant, and even the simplest tasks may require some planning and special consideration. Daily personal hygiene is one of the most important points to focus upon because Parkinson’s patients, especially in the end stages, are more prone to infections and complications, which could be prevented with a greater degree of fastidiousness on the part of both the patient and caregiver.
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Parkinson’s disease is a long term disease where the patient needs to take medicines on a regular basis for relief of the symptoms> It is important for both the Parkinson’s patient and care givers to realize that these medicines might have various types of interactions with other drugs. Some of these drug interactions can be quite severe, therefore additional medicines should be taken only after consulting a doctor.
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A patient with Parkinson’s disease has to contend with major signs and symptoms, such as tremor, rigidity, slowness of movement, and postural disturbances, but sometimes minor problems, such as mouth ulcers can, cause much distress. It is important that care givers treat even these minor ailments with care and concern as a Parkinson’s patient is scared and concerned of even the slightest physical problem. A Parkinson’s patient may be educated about the disease but nevertheless, even unrelated signs and symptoms can be distressing and upsetting for them.
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Swine flu is a respiratory infection, with symptoms similar to that of the common flu and people living with Parkinson’s disease are at particular risk of developing severe symptoms if infected. Swine flu is caused by a new strain of influenza A virus, called the H1N1 virus. Normally, swine flu is a disease confined to pigs, and transmission to humans is rare, but the new strain has spread rapidly from pigs to humans. In this current pandemic, human-to-human transmission by direct contact (hand to mouth or nose) and by sneezing or coughing.
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Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating chronic condition that effects hundreds of thousands of lives globally. Although there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, support, management and proper treatment can provide significant relief. As with any difficulty in life, support is essential, both from the attending doctor, as well as family and friends. Even more significant is the interaction with others suffering with this disease.
If you are suffering with Parkinson’s disease, whether in the early stage or just been diagnosed, or you may have lived with this disease over years, please feel free to share your story with us through the comment box below. If you have any positive comments or useful advice for other respondents, please feel free to offer you input. Care givers and loved ones of Parkinson’s sufferers are also encouraged to participate as the disease can be both stressful and heart breaking for the care giver.
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Constipation is a frequent complaint of patients suffering with Parkinson’s disease, especially those being treated with anticholinergic medicines, but it may be treated quite effectively with change in medications, proper dietary fiber intake and lifestyle measure.When there is difficulty in passing stool, or when the interval between passing stools is lengthened beyond three days, a person may be said to be suffering from constipation.
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