Parkinson's disease was diagnosed by and named after James Parkinson in 1817, who initially wrote about a condition he called "the shaking palsy." Parkinson's disease is a chronic and progressive neurological disease affecting the substantia nigra's ability to produce dopamine. Dopamine is the chemical messenger in the brain that tells the muscles what to do. As the disease gets worse over time, it causes 60 to 80 percent of the dopamine-producing cells or dopaminergic neurons in the brain to stop working. Over one million Americans are affected by the disease, and it is the second most common degenerative neurological disorder, after Alzheimer's. There is still no known cure for Parkinson's disease.
Instructions
1. The most important thing to do is to learn about the illness and keep yourself well-informed. Being well-informed can help you make educated decisions about medical care and treatment options. No two cases of Parkinson's are alike, and not everyone responds similarly to treatment.
2. Find ways to reduce your stress level and remember to put yourself first. Do not consider this selfish or self-centered, since it is important to take care of yourself. The disease not only saps a lot of physical energy but also emotional and mental energy. It's okay to say no to people sometimes.
3. Although Parkinson's can be greatly challenging, it is important not to be self-conscious about the growing visible symptoms of the disease. Learn to work around the limitations, rather than allowing them take away the enjoyment of spending time with family and friends, and doing other activities.
4. Keep a positive attitude and your sense of humor. Be honest when you are having a bad day and learn to be closer to people who are supportive, instead of with those who drain you mentally and emotionally. Remember that people will not know how you are feeling unless you tell them.
5. Set priorities and learn to focus on important tasks. Start to allow more time than usual to perform even the simplest of tasks, like dressing, writing, eating and even talking. Plan to do the more important tasks when the medications are giving you the most benefits.
6. Join a local Parkinson's support group, regardless of your age. If there isn't one in your area, consider starting one yourself. Being with people who are experiencing similar symptoms can be encouraging and can help alleviate a lot of fears. Be open to the changes in your life and have your doctor refer you to an occupational therapist (OT), who can teach you to perform a myriad of tasks more efficiently.
Tags: important tasks, Parkinson disease