Bryan Betty: Parkinson's - Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

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. 

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