PART 3 of 3
MY PERSONAL BATTLE WITH PARKINSON'S DISEASE by Royal S. Buchanan
600 Carolina Village Road Hendersonville, NC 28792
The SECONDARY SYMPTOMS of PD are:
HYPOMIMIA: Often the face of a Parkinsonian appears as an expressionless
"mask."
(IMPORTANT: Caregivers, do not assume your Parkinsonian is not listening or
not
interested due to this non-expression.)
MICROGRAPHIA: Small, cramped handwriting.
CONSTIPATION: The peristaltic movement of the bowel slows down with age and
the
rigidity of PD. Certain Parkinson medications can make it difficult for the
bowls to move. The best way to get relief is to drink lots of water,
exercise,
and eat lots of dried fruits along with high fiber foods.
FATIGUE: Daily tasks take longer to complete. To prevent being overtired,
pace
yourself.
PAIN: Cramping is a common symptom. Cramps may vary from single area cramps
for
a short period to very painful large area cramps for long time periods.
Stiffness, spasms, numbness, tingling and burning may also be experienced.
The
shoulders, neck, trunk and calves are the places most commonly complained
about.
Regular stretching exercises will help.
DEMENTIA & DEPRESSION: Disturbed brain chemistry is worsened by Parkinson
medications. Life stresses can also make it worse. Symptoms include sadness,
excessive laughing or crying, sleep disturbance, weight loss or gain,
feelings
of worthlessness, anxiety, irritability, apathy and loss of interest in extra
activities. Drug and mental therapy are often helpful.
BLOOD PRESSURE: If the part of the brain that controls the sympathetic nerves
becomes affected, low blood pressure may result. Some Parkinson medications
also lower blood pressure.
DERMATITIS: The autonomic nervous system which is affected by PD controls
your
sebaceous glands. The result can be scaly and/or oily skin.
FESTINATION: When Parkinsonians combine short steps on their toes with a
faster
pace, they are headed for a fall. The best way to combat this is physical
therapy exercises to improve posture and encourage normal walking. Square up
those sloping shoulders! Push your head back over your spinal cord. Adopt a
"Charlie Chapman" gait and walk with your legs apart.
My last piece of advice is to keep a good attitude and keep learning about
PD.
Royal S. Buchanan
600 Carolina Village Road
Hendersonville, NC 28792
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posted by Barbara Blake-Krebs [log in to unmask]
