 |
 |
Parkinson's difficult on daily tasks More than a disease that makes old people shake - Alberta society's executive director By Paul Grigaitis Record Staff Tuesday September 30, 2008 Those with Parkinson's Disease have trouble with normal daily functions that most take for granted, like eating, sleeping and carrying on a casual conversation. "Eighty-nine per cent of people with Parkinson's disease will lose their voice," said Ray Williams, executive director of the Parkinson's Society of Alberta. Williams was explaining a symptom of Parkinson's he called soft voice, the reduction of a voice to a whisper. It's one of many symptoms people with the disease must struggle with on a daily basis. Williams was in Fort Saskatchewan last Wednesday to promote his organization's programs and services and also as a boost to general awareness of Parkinson's disease. He assured the audience of about 15 gathered in the Fort Saskatchewan Library that following his presentation they would have a knowledge about Parkinson's disease greater than the average family doctor, emphasizing how little is known about the disease. There are no known causes of Parkinson's disease and there are no known cures. It's not, as it's commonly referred, just a disease that makes old people shake. Tremors only affect 25 per cent of those diagnosed and Williams said he personally worked with one child that was 12 years old and had been diagnosed with Parkinson's. The numbers and types of symptoms vary from person to person and also the severity as well, Williams said. The disease can make normal body functions, such as eating, difficult processes. Fifty per cent of people diagnosed will develop chewing and swallowing problems, Williams said. People with Parkinson's sometimes have to think through the entire complex eating process just to swallow one bite of a meal, he added. "We don't have to think of that while were eating, but people with Parkinson's have to think about that," he said. And aside from the many physical symptoms, the disease carries a lot of emotional symptoms as well. Parkinson's can lead to anxiety, depression, sleeplessness and dementia, Williams said. Parkinson's disease currently affects over 9,000 Albertans and there are about 5,500 new cases in Canada per year, said Williams while adding that those numbers are expected to double by the year 2016. "We need to address that," he said before mentioning his organization's support groups and programs. The information proved to be important to Olive Parry whose husband suffers from Parkinson's diseases. The 79-year-old Fort resident discovered during the presentation that she hasn't been properly instructed on administering her husband's medication. Parry's 82-year-old husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's just a year ago. "It took a while to diagnose," she said. Dealing with her husband's disease is very stressful, she said, and also creates worry among her four children. As a caregiver, she feels obliged to stay informed. "You have to know what you're dealing with," Parry said. Parry praised a regular support group she attends in Sherwood Park. The support group is offered by the Parkinson's Society of Alberta. The Parkinson's Society of Alberta encourages people to contact them for more information on the disease and their programs. [log in to unmask] Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers Limited at 155, 10420 - 98 Avenue, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, Canada T8L 2N6 © 2008 Fort Saskatchewan Record Rayilyn Brown Director AZNPF Arizona Chapter National Parkinson Foundation [log in to unmask] ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To sign-off Parkinsn send a message to: mailto:[log in to unmask] In the body of the message put: signoff parkinsn