What is Parkinson's Disease?
 Parkinson's
disease (also known as PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central
nervous system that often impairs your motor skills, speech, and
other functions.
Parkinson's disease affects the way you move. It
happens when there is a problem with certain nerve cells in the brain.
Normally, nerve cells make an important chemical called dopamine.
Dopamine sends signals to the part of your brain that controls
movement. It lets your muscles move smoothly and do what you want them
to do. When you have Parkinson's, these nerve cells break down. Then
you no longer have enough dopamine, and you have trouble moving the way
you want to. |
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 Symptoms
The type and severity of symptoms experienced by a
person with Parkinson's disease vary with each individual and the stage
of Parkinson's disease. Symptoms that develop in the early stages of
the disease in one person may not develop in another person.
Most Common Symptoms
* Tremor, or shaking, often in a hand, arm, or leg. Tremor caused by Parkinson's disease occurs when the person is awake.
* Difficulty with walking (gait disturbance) and
balance. A person with Parkinson's disease is likely to take small
steps and shuffle with his or her feet close together, bend forward
slightly at the waist and have trouble turning around.
* Stiff and
aching muscles. One of the most common early signs of Parkinson's
disease is a reduced arm swing on one side when the person is walking
that is caused by rigid muscles. Rigidity can also affect the muscles
of the legs, face, neck, or other parts of the body.
* Weakness of face and throat muscles. Talking and
swallowing may become more difficult, and the person may choke, cough,
or drool. Speech becomes softer and monotonous. |
The Aspen Treatment Option
Physical therapy
cannot cure Parkinson's disease, because at this time, neurological
damage cannot be reversed. But therapy can enable you to compensate for
the changes brought about by the disease. These "compensatory
treatments," as they're called, include learning about new movement
techniques, strategies, and equipment. A Physical Therapist can teach
you exercises to strengthen and loosen muscles. Many of these exercises
can be performed at home. The goal of physical therapy is to improve
your independence and quality of life by improving movement and
function and relieving pain.
Physical therapy can help with:
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Michael J Fox
Fox
was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1991, and disclosed his
condition to the public in 1998. Fox semi-retired from acting in 2000
as the symptoms of his disease worsened. He has since become an
advocate for research toward finding a cure.
Muhammad Ali
Ali
is a retired American boxer and three-time World Heavyweight Champion,
who is widely considered one of the greatest heavyweight championship
boxers of all time.Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 1984. |
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