April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month

Guest Blog by Susan I. Wranik, Speech-Language Pathologist, ​SpeakSkill LLC

​How much do you know?  If you care for, care about, live with, or love someone with Parkinson’s Disease, here are
10 Things You Should Know

1. Parkinson’s Disease is a chemical deficiency:  loss of dopamine, a neurotransmitter and hormone which plays a vital role in movement, memory and pleasure.

It also has a role in controlling concentration,  mood, learning, sleep and other body functions.

1. Over 10 million people worldwide are affected by Parkinson’s Disease (PD).
2. Cause:  a combination of genetic and environmental triggers, such as exposure to toxins.
3. People with Parkinson’s Disease (PWPD) have both motor and non-motor symptoms. 

The non-motor symptoms can be even more challenging to live with (sleep issues, for example) than the motor symptoms.

1. No cure (yet),  though with medication management and life style changes, people can live successfully with PD.
2. PWPD should be followed by a neurologist specializing in movement disorders.

7.No two alike. If you’ve seen one person with Parkinson’s, you’ve seen one person.

1. Two biggest treatments:  EXERCISE brain, body, and voice and SOCIALIZE. 

Physical, Occupations and Speech Therapy can help.

1. People do not die from Parkinson’s.  They may die with it,  but not from it.
2. Most important:  Parkinson’s is what people have; it’s NOT who they are.

For more information, check out the Parkinson’s Rappers https://youtu.be/H-73J82Y1p0